Think to yourself, when someone first asks you to supervise an intern, your initial reaction might be "Is this something I can manage right now?" That's a common thought. Your plate is already full. But here's what a lot of people don't realize until they're in it: supervising an intern might give back more than it asks of you.

Considering viewing this as an opportunity to lead. 

An opportunity to mentor and an opportunity to strengthen leadership skills, patience, and potentially even improve current processes in place. This is your chance to help shape someone’s confidence in the field in which they hope to grow their career in. It also gives you the chance to give constrictive feedback while also seeing the work that you do each day from the perspective of someone new.  

Unlike traditional management, where experience levels may be closer, guiding an intern requires intentional mentorship, clear communication, and the ability to translate knowledge into meaningful learning moments

It pushes you to explain the "why"

When you've been doing something for a while, a lot of it becomes second nature. You just know how things work. But the moment an intern asks, "why do we do it that way?", you have to actually think about it. And that's a good thing. Putting your knowledge into words in a way someone new can understand makes you a clearer thinker and a better communicator. 

Their excitement is kind of contagious

Interns show up genuinely excited. They're curious, eager, and may have a fresh outlook on your programmatic tasks. Spending time with someone who's that enthusiastic about the work you do every day has a funny way of reminding you why you got into it in the first place. If you've been feeling a little burned out lately, an intern might be just the thing to change that.

You get to practice being a mentor

Mentorship is one of those things that sounds simple but takes real practice. How do you give feedback without discouraging someone? How do you support someone without doing everything for them? Supervising an intern gives you space to figure that out. 

Fresh eyes catch things you might miss

Because interns don’t come in with assumptions about “how things are supposed to be done,” they often approach work with fresh eyes. That perspective can be incredibly valuable. Without being tied to long-standing processes or routines, interns may ask questions others haven’t considered or suggest alternative approaches that lead to greater efficiency or creativity. What might seem like inexperience can actually open the door to innovation. They’ll ask questions that make you stop and think or notice something that everyone else has been overlooking for years. Staying open to that perspective isn't just good for the intern, it's good for the whole team.

You're building something that lasts

At the end of the day, the time you put into an intern doesn't just benefit them, it spreads outward. You're passing on skills, values, and a standard of care that they'll carry into their careers.

So if you've been on the fence about taking on an intern, give it a shot. You might be surprised by how much you get out of it too.

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Interning at Center For Family Services offers a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth. Interns can expect to gain hands-on experience in their field of study, allowing them to apply their knowledge in the real world. 

Center For Family Services offers a variety of internship placements in diverse programs across New Jersey. 

Learn more about internships at Center For Family Services and to connect with the Internship Department, complete the inquiry form found here https://www.centerffs.org/explore-internship-program-placements