Getting started as an internship host 🌱
So you’ve just become a Commsgrad Internship Host and are still a little unsure of what to expect? You have come to the right place to jump in get the most out of your membership. 🐣
What to expect:
After registering as an internship host we take care of things behind the scenes to start organising your intern placements.
This generally takes 1-2 business days, sometimes sooner.
You are assigned the next Commsgrad on the top of the wait list (to help with any potential unconscious bias). You will then be introduced on email to your first placement for you guys to take it from there. It is pretty loosey-goosey from there but we are right here if you need us so shout out if we can help.
You can organise a time together to catch up on the phone or Zoom and learn more about each other and kick things off. You can brief your Commsgrad on what your business is, which areas you need help in, and the tasks that you wish them to complete.
The internships are 1 day per week, for 6 week blocks.
Our Commsgrads can work on anything within the ‘Comms Bucket’, apart from contacting media. This is to protect your business and the Commsgrads. Commsgrads can be asked to do anything that will help out your business and look good on their resume, such as content creation, email marketing, blog posts, copywriting, proof-reading, finding media contacts, and creating media contact lists, digital event support, brainstorming ideas, digital media coordination.
Unsure of what falls in the Comms Bucket? It's ok if you're unsure, they can ask us if they have any concerns! This is to make sure that the work they are assigned is meaningful in their career development.
Once your placement is finished, both yourself and your Commsgrad will receive a short feedback form (only takes a couple of minutes), once you complete this it let us know whether you would like to finish that placement there, or extend it a further 6 weeks. If both parties agree then we will notify you both. If all is going well after that, you are welcome to offer them a further paid extension of 1 day per week for an additional 12 weeks. That has the potential to become a 6 month period of support for your digital communications. We have had a 60% hire rate at Commsgrad. Which is remarkable and testament to the format. You are also more than welcome to employ your Commsgrad. That is left between you guys. We would be STOKED to hear about that.
Please reach out to commsgrad@gmail.com if you have any questions, we want you to have a great experience so let us know how we can improve anything.
Things to keep in mind:
Commsgrads haven't been in the workforce in this way before, they are brand new! It is a really exciting, nerve-wracking time for them as everything is new. The great news is they have amazing gusto in wanting to do a great job for you. Commsgrads are currently studying communications, this is their opportunity to put their theory into practice. They are not seasoned experts yet, this type of hands-on learning is invaluable for them to transition from study to their first professional role.
With the Commsgrads being students, they are an excellent set of extra hands for your digital communications to-do list but need to be briefed and managed as they are new to the workforce. Things we take for granted with professional basics are all new to them still. Patience and setting tasks with this in mind are key to a great experience for both parties.
WIN-WIN - these remote internships have been created as a win-win after much industry, customer, and student consultation. The real value they receive in exchange for their time is the learning and referral from the internship hosts. These referrals that they can list on their CV will greatly help them to secure their first professional role. In exchange for this value, businesses gain an extra set of hands. These eager-to-learn Commsgrads are great for tackling those easy jobs on your digital communications to-do list - and giving you back some of your time.