82CASE STUDY

Creating Successful Internship Environments

For many students, one of the most important experiences they gain from their degree work is that of taking part in an internship. The excitement of working for a sport organization is something most students anticipate even before entering their degree-granting institution. Sometimes, however, expectations go unmet and the student is left feeling unfulfi lled in an internship, which can negatively affect job satisfaction. Such problems often derive from underemployment; that is, the student does not have enough work to do and is left feeling unchallenged, bored, or unmo-tivated. This situation can even lead to a low sense of worth for the internship, which of course can negatively infl uence job satisfaction. Indeed, it is not uncommon for students to divulge to a professor that they feel under challenged in an internship and that their assigned tasks are too easy for them. Many students also complain about being assigned repetitive and mundane tasks that, over time, lead them to question the value of the work they are performing. Unsurprisingly, these conditions, coupled with the fact that many internships are unpaid, often leave students feeling dissatisfi ed and unmotivated to fulfi ll their obligations.In such scenarios, it is important for students to fi nd ways to grow their skill sets and advance their knowledge (e.g., technical competence). Although this process requires some self-leadership and initiative from the student, it is equally important for the internship supervisor to establish an environment in which the student is challenged and feels that the work is important, compelling, and valued. Design-ing an internship environment that is motivating and contributes to student job satisfaction depends in part on effectively communicating assigned roles and responsibilities. As we discuss in chapters 8 and 13, clear expectations are crucial to effective management. Students also need to be aware of their own expecta-tions for personal growth; communicate those expectations to the supervisor; and discuss work-related opportunities, autonomy, and responsibility early on in the process. Students must also understand the available resources and seekand be provided withopportunities to be creative in their work in order to grow person-ally and enjoy a sense of personal worth in the work they perform. The supervisor can contribute to this process by providing tasks and responsibilities that enhance the interns feeling of worth. Of course, repetitive and mundane tasks may also be required at times, particularly when things must be done quickly and with small funding. However, the internship environment must offer the student more than that, and it is up to both parties to invest in the success of the experience.

How can a manager help an intern feel a sense of worth in the work?