There’s been a lot of discussion among women in business and other professionals about the ethics of paid versus unpaid internships in companies. But what it really boils down to for any woman who has ever been treated unfairly in the professional world is one thing; work is work. And that work should be recognized at fair market value.
If you’re in a position where your company can take on interns, just remember that successful women in business have an opportunity with interns, just as they would with any other venture in business. An intern can provide a surprising amount of value for a business in many unexpected ways. But it’s a two-way street.
Nurture Your Values
Women in business are trying to create a professional setting where things are fair. Pay is given based entirely on merit, not gender. And people are deserving of respect regardless of their sexual, economic, racial or religious background. These are the types of values that you can impart to an intern as they work for you, and help to perpetuate this much more positive, productive professional ethic to a new generation of business people.
Promote Yourself
At the same time however, treating an intern right, and imparting the right values doesn’t just help that intern, it helps you. Remember, we no longer live in a world of isolation. Young people of the 21st century have never known a world without social media and public distribution of information, such as the quality of a workplace.
By showing that you’re one of the women in business who practices what she preaches, you will be helping your own reputation to spread with a whole new generation of professionals that are coming up in the world and ready to get hired. When the time comes, talented young employees may have already heard of you, and want to commit their youth, passion and energy to your cause because the way you’ve treated your interns!
Leave a Reply