Working with an intern can be a valuable win-win experience, but learning how to achieve this is not always easy. To work well with an intern at your church, you must prepare for success. In a recent episode of The Missional Marketing Podcast, church communications experts Bart Blair and Jason Hamrock shared valuable insights on making the most of internships in your church’s communications department. This article pulls some of the most timely advice from their discussion to help you explore their recommendations for creating a mutually beneficial internship experience that serves both the church and the intern.
Understanding the Purpose of an Internship
An internship is an opportunity for a young person to gain intentional exposure to various aspects of church communications within a designated period of time. Rather than treating interns as temporary employees to fill gaps, churches should focus on providing a well-rounded experience that helps interns discover their natural aptitudes, giftings, and potential calling. In addition to this, setting clear boundaries and expectations about how the internship will function can help both parties make the most of the opportunity and be on the same page.
Creating a Comprehensive Exposure Plan
To maximize the internship experience, create a structured plan that allows the intern to shadow different team members like graphic designers, web developers, copywriters, and social media managers. Provide hands-on experience in various areas of communication and involve them in planning and creative meetings. Additionally, assign small administrative tasks to help build a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Assessing Intern Strengths and Interests
Each intern you host will be different, which is why it’s essential to enter the internship process with a natural curiosity about what each individual brings to the table and how their skills can be further developed. Consider having your intern take an assessment like the Six Types of Working Genius to identify their natural strengths and preferences. This information can help you tailor their experience. For instance, if they excel in ideation and creativity, involve them more in brainstorming and planning sessions. If they have a talent for execution, assign them more hands-on tasks and projects.
Balancing Learning and Doing
While exposure is crucial, giving interns practical experience is also important. Assign small projects that allow them to apply what they’re learning and involve them in real communication tasks to help them understand the day-to-day operations. Provide opportunities for them to contribute ideas and see them implemented, fostering a sense of accomplishment and contribution. Being part of the workflow process and completing hands-on tasks personally are crucial steps to learning new skills and remembering them when they’re needed again months or years later.
Making It a Win-Win Situation
Bringing an additional person into a well-developed process and workflow may feel disruptive at times, but an extra set of hands can also be incredibly helpful as your team moves projects forward. Remember that the goal is to serve the intern while also benefiting the church. Focus on the intern’s growth and learning rather than just task completion. Provide mentorship and guidance throughout the internship and offer opportunities for networking within the church and the broader communications community. This approach ensures that both the intern and the church gain value from the experience.
Finding the Right Intern
Every church internship is a little different, so finding the right fit is important. To find suitable candidates for your internship program, start by looking within your congregation for interested young adults. Reach out to local universities, especially those offering course credit for internships. If you don’t find potential candidates through those channels, you can always advertise the opportunity through church communications channels to cast a wider net for possible prospects.
Leverage Video Content to Connect
As your intern learns the ropes of content creation, it’s vital to ensure your video content is engaging and follows industry best practices. Prioritize motion and video content over static images for social media, as this tends to generate more engagement. Create short, engaging video updates, such as a “[Church Name] in 60 Seconds” series to highlight upcoming events and opportunities. Use video to showcase real-life examples of church activities and community involvement, making your content more relatable and inviting to both members and potential visitors. If projects like these would be new for your church, involve your intern in the creation process. It’s likely that he or she has made short-form video content for their social media account and is in tune with what may be most engaging for outside viewers.
Next Steps to Optimize Your Time with Your Intern
By incorporating these strategies, your church can create a valuable internship program that benefits both the intern and your communications team. Remember, the key is to focus on providing a comprehensive learning experience that exposes interns to various aspects of church communications.
To develop a personalized strategy for optimizing church communications and your internship program in particular, schedule a coaching call with a Missional Marketing coach today. Our experts can help you create a tailored plan that maximizes your team’s potential and effectively reaches your community.