Setting Expectations

[David Walsh]

When companies take on interns, they've a definite plan for what they will get that intern to do... They will have a level of (or lack of) seniority in mind and know how far they will allow that intern's responsibility to grow.  This is common among employers and managers who have the benefit of experience under their wings. They've seen interns come & go, they've seen them shine, and they've seen them crash & burn.. they know how to manage that individual and foster then through the internship process. 

Then..here comes 'super-student-intern' ... an individual of exceptional maturity and expertise beyond their years (in their own mind). Someone so clued in from reading magazines, blogs, & internet forums, their finger firmly on the pulse of the corporate world.. they talk-the-talk...and given the chance they just know they can walk-the-walk too if it weren't for these managers getting in their way... They are not in this for a simple experience, they are not limited by their knowledge, skills, or experience... They. Know. Everything. 

We've come across this situation many times. You want to let this individual know they are not on the verge of taking over the world, they are not going to rattle any cages, they're going to slowly build responsibility and put a bit of an edge on their CV. But, you don't want to hurt their feelings.. because.. interns have feelings too - and at the early stages of that student's career you (as a manager) know that they haven't yet mastered the art of absorbing criticism without it leaking back out in the form of an emotional reaction...

What do we do at INI to set the tone of responsibility? When our own interns arrive, we let them pick their own job title - anything they want, whatever they feel is appropriate for their level of expertise. Want to be a manager? be a manager! Prefer to be the boss? No problem, be the boss! But... it's not just a name/title you're taking on... you're taking all the responsibilities of that role too, and everything that goes with it... It allows super-student-intern a moment to reflect on how the reality of their situation compares to the reality of their expectations. They're clever enough to realise themselves that maybe, just maybe, they need to slow down a little...

It's not about controlling the intern, it's not about undermining them... it's a teaching tool which helps them to realise that experience must be earned. It helps to set the tone of a learning process from Day-1... it allows them to set the restrictions and realise how far they would safely let themselves climb the ladder at this moment in time. 

It works, most of the time....