Nov 18, 2016 10:54 AM EST By Audri Taylors, UniversityHerald Reporter

Internships are a great way to help young professionals make a decision about the career that they want after graduation. These are also ideal venues where students can gain real life experience and get opportunities to be exposed to the reality of the businesses and industries. These however can only happen if companies have prepared good internship programs that will be beneficial to the interns and the company alike. Regardless if it is paid or not, you can do something to make sure you make the most of internship programs that will be invaluable to both parties.

Here are the three tips you might want to consider:

•  Internships would be very effective if you can give interns the opportunities to learn what really happens in the industry. It would be helpful if they get exposed to different departments and roles in the office. Get them involved. Invite them during meetings. In this way, they can learn how it's really like to have a professional career in the future, and they will realize how things get done in actual companies.
•  Assign a mentor for the intern. Even the biggest and most successful leaders in many industries have mentors who serve as their guide. It is the same for interns. They need someone who can teach them and guide them, answer their questions and provide them feedback. This will ensure that their entire internship experience is really going to be a productive and fruitful learning experience.
•  Provide vast opportunities through networking. When you use this internship program to connect the interns to the people who can help them land a job in the future, you are doing them a huge favor. Don't think of the internship program to look for someone who can take the vacant posts in your office. It should benefit the person involved. Giving them the experience and helping them down the road by introducing them to some professional contacts who can help, will be more than rewarding and fulfilling.

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