Giving Compass' Take:

• As the 21st-century workforce changes, so should internships. Pamela Hawley, writing for Forbes, details what nonprofit organizations need to change within their internship programs to attract more talent. 

•  What are other creative recruitment methods for nonprofits to inspire more young professionals? 

• Read about co-op programs that offer work experience that students need. 

Young professionals today tend to be much more strategic today. According to NACE, 80% of college graduates have taken on at least one internship, compared to only 10% 30 years ago. Today's generation of students and job seekers are getting in there and gaining experience in a meaningful, results-oriented way.

This is where internships and returnships have filled a great hole in our society. Companies have gotten better about providing structured opportunities for people to grow and contribute. As a nonprofit, you should be leveraging this talent pool. Nonprofits can set up a proactive internship and returnship program to serve as part of the company's recruiting efforts.

Here are five ways to create a successful internship program that will serve both your goals and those of your interns:

  1. Build Out Business Unit Goals: Make a commitment to use your interns fully. Insert them into your business unit goals, whether that's helping with fundraising efforts, delivering meals to house-bound seniors or marketing guide dogs for the blind.
  2. Assign Them A Coach: Everyone needs support, and this is especially true of interns. Provide interns with a coach who can help inspire them and help them achieve their daily goals.
  3. Give Back: The most essential thing is that in whatever job, position or volunteer work you’re doing, you’re giving back to the intern. Whether it's for-profit or nonprofit, there’s always a way to help someone else.
  4. Ask About Their Side Passion.
  5. Create A Positive Experience: You should care about their long-term goals and where they are headed. Watch out for them, try to cultivate relationships and strive to keep in touch with them after the internship has ended.

Read the full article about internships that attract nonprofit talent by Pamela Hawley at Forbes Welcome