A Small Business' Guide to Nurturing Young Talent
Introduction
As the summer sun started to warm the air, small businesses nationwide welcomed a new addition to their teams - Just like Brand Strides.
Small businesses like Brand Strides have limited resources, and finding talented individuals can take time and effort. This summer, Brand Strides took a leap of faith. They embraced the opportunity to welcome Allyson Ariganello, Marketing Major at James Madison University, a young, talented, and passionate individual, to join the team for a short but valuable 10-week journey, leaving a lasting impression on the company.
Allyson’s contribution over the last ten weeks has been impactful. Let’s explore the significance of having a summer intern in a small business setting and how to make the most of this valuable resource.
A Fresh Perspective
A summer intern brings a fresh perspective to your small business. Their youthfulness and creativity inject new ideas and solutions into your company's practices. Encouraging an open dialogue between the intern and the existing team can foster an environment where everyone learns from one another, ultimately contributing to the growth and evolution of your business.
While Allyson learned about the tools and technology that Brand Strides uses to service our clients, she brought her own set of tools and technology to share with the team. But it didn't stop there!
Talent Development
Investing in young talent through summer internships can be a stepping stone for building a solid workforce in the future. As a small business, you can nurture these individuals, helping them develop essential skills and providing them with real-world experiences. Empower them to take ownership of their projects and watch as they blossom into confident professionals.
Allyson brought her own set of skills to the table; sharing skills for order, process, structure, and creativity, we had the opportunity to provide some hands-on experience for dealing with client deliverables, both the planned initiates and the last-minute demands.
Mutual Learning
A summer intern learns from your small business and vice versa. Their exposure to your work environment can be an excellent opportunity to introduce them to various aspects of the industry. Their unique talents and interests may also lead your team to discover innovative ways to approach challenges.
With Allyson's eagerness to learn, we embraced the opportunity to dive in and learn more about the AI tools, assess email platform capabilities, and look at new persona platforms, which is a win-win for everyone involved.
Bolstering Efficiency
A small business can often face resource constraints. With a summer intern on board, you can delegate specific tasks, freeing up your core team to focus on more strategic initiatives. By leveraging their skills, your business can maintain efficiency and productivity during the busy summer months.
Allyson owned complete projects, like developing a content strategy and developing and executing every phase from ideation, copywriting, and visual creation elements, freeing up time for other team members and impacting the bottom line.
Building a Positive Company Culture
Welcoming a summer intern is a chance to demonstrate your small business's commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive company culture. Make them feel like a valued team member, involving them in team-building activities and encouraging open communication.
While Allyson’s internship was primarily virtual, we had several meet-and-greet sessions and scheduled lunches throughout the summer. Here’s what Allyson has to say when asked about the company culture and her time at Brand Strides.
“My time at Brand Strides has been nothing short of amazing. Working with Tracy alongside different projects and deliverables has provided me with valuable experiences and knowledge I can take with me throughout my career. The work culture at Brand Strides is friendly, collaborative, creative, flexible, and adaptable. Tracy valued my opinion, and I felt I was making a difference with my work. I have learned many skills, including changing direction when a sudden, more pressing project arose. I am truly grateful for my experiences at Brand Strides and working with Tracy this summer!”
“Allyson Ariganello, Marketing Major at James Madison University.”
Networking Opportunities
Interns often come from diverse backgrounds, with connections to academic institutions and other young professionals. Utilize this opportunity to expand your small business's network. Encourage the intern to attend industry events and connect with your existing contacts to broaden your company's reach.
Long-Term Hiring Potential
Some interns may be eager to extend their stay or return for future opportunities when the summer internship ends. Small businesses should consider the potential for hiring interns as full-time employees, especially when there is a strong alignment between the intern's skills and your company's needs.
Conclusion
Hiring a summer intern is a rewarding experience that can benefit your small business. From gaining fresh perspectives and nurturing young talent to building a positive company culture and expanding your network, the contributions of these young and passionate individuals are immeasurable. By providing a supportive and collaborative environment, you can make the most out of this short but invaluable 10-week journey, leaving your small business and the intern with a lasting impact for years.
Brand Strides is so grateful to have had Allyson Ariganello, a Marketing Major at James Madison University, join us for ten weeks this summer. Her impact, contribution, and passion have been invaluable, and we’ll be sure to reach out to Allyson Ariganello for future opportunities. We wish Allyson all the best for her final year at school and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes after graduation.
