Today (31st July) is National Intern Day, and here at The Indispensary we thought it would be a fitting time to talk about the value of young interns, and why bringing interns on as employees could hugely benefit your organisation.
Joanne brought interns into the business in July 2022, and each one has brought different skill sets, ideas and suggestions, which have fundamentally changed the company and how we operate.
How Interns Shaped The Indispensary:
Bringing on students
“I’d been thinking about how I could get some support in the business, and after a chance conversation at a networking meeting, I met Andrea from the Exeter University Employment Team, and everything fell into place. Working with an intern meant that I could get the support I needed, have someone to bring some fresh ideas into the business, and also help a young person to gain valuable experience to help them further their career beyond University. A win-win!
Our internships have always been for students with an interest in business and marketing, and we have encouraged each student to bring their own experiences and ideas to the role – with several staying on beyond the initial 3 month contract. But it has been more than that – our interns have helped me shape the business, have been a second pair of eyes, and a sounding board for ideas – and are much more invested in the success of the business than I had expected.” – Joanne
How The Internship Impacted The Students
Internships are a two-way street, and it has always been a priority for Joanne to ensure that her interns are gaining just as much from the experience as the business does.
Mentorship
“I began my journey as an intern at The Indispensary, and I’m now proud to be launching my very own Virtual Assistance business back home in Zambia, and this has all been thanks to Joanne’s incredible mentorship throughout.
When I first joined the team, I had never even heard of Virtual Assistance. Over the past two years, Joanne has not only taught me the practical skills and knowledge required for the role, but she has also encouraged me to invest in my own growth and development.
Through her example, I’ve learnt the importance of professional communication, strong client relationships, and ethical business practices. Most importantly, Joanne gave me the space and support to learn, to make mistakes, and to build confidence in my own abilities.”
– Maddy, Intern 2023-2025
Employability
“When I started at The Indispensary, I was interested in marketing and communications – but my goal was to work as a journalist. Joanne and I chatted about how this internship could support me on that career path – leading to primary responsibilities in blog and newsletter writing. I’ve been introduced to countless professionals to interview for the website which gave me the space to practise my skills in communication and copy writing, regularly publishing content on a client–facing website. Joanne has also supported me as I leave the Indispensary including providing references and mentorship that has secured me a spot on a competitive Master’s course in News Journalism next year. Thanks to this internship, I have real business experience and connections that I can carry with me throughout my career.”
– Katie, Intern 2024-2025.
5 Ways Interns Could Support You
1. Fresh perspectives
Being new to the workplace, university students are unique in that they don’t know how things have always been done. This makes them brilliant at spotting gaps, suggesting new tools, and approaching problems differently. Whether it’s recommending a better app, refining your social media tone, or asking why you still do something a certain way, they are a constant source of innovation.
2. Support without long-term commitment
For charities or small businesses with limited budgets or capacity to hire full-time staff, internships offer a practical, time-bound way to bring in support for specific projects. Whether it’s helping with a fundraising campaign, doing research, or revamping your email templates, interns can take meaningful ownership with the right guidance, but without the commitment of bringing on permanent staff.
But if you’re looking to bring students in long term, you can!
3. A pipeline of future talent
Internships are a low-risk, high-reward way to spot future leaders. Many organisations find that offering a supportive, flexible internship is the first step to developing a loyal, long-term team member. We certainly have! Whether they stay with you or move on and take your values elsewhere, mentoring students is always a great way to support the next generation of leaders.
4. Enhancing your mentorship skills
Interns give your current team members a chance to mentor, delegate, and reflect on their own roles. It’s a brilliant leadership development tool, especially in small teams where people are often highly skilled but don’t always have managerial experience. Learning to support and nurture an intern builds empathy, clarity, and communication.
5. Promoting diversity and accessibility in the sector
Too often, the charity sector talks about inclusivity while hiring from the same networks. By offering paid internships and actively recruiting from a wider range of backgrounds, you can be part of breaking down barriers and making social impact careers more accessible. That kind of impact goes far beyond your own organisation.
If you’d like to have a chat about how you could work with interns in your organisation, please get in touch.
