Summer is here and many students an in full internship mode, hoping to fill a school credit or get experience under their belt.

If you have an intern or are thinking about getting one, remember that they are looking for a mentor.

For millennials especially, they are looking for someone to lead them in their career and get real hands-on knowledge about the organization.  So, as you plan duties for your intern, keep the following points in mind.

Interns want to learn more about a chosen job.  Students know that real world experience can teach them much more than a textbook can.  So, try to show them the ins and outs of everyday work in your company.  This is where they start to understand the practicality of the methods they read about in textbooks.

Interns can be hard workers.  Yes, it's easy to have an intern clean your database or make copies, but you'll be surprised on how hard they can work on a project with a lot of substance.  By giving them the chance, you might find these students are some of your best workers.

Interns need instruction.  Although they have already been through some of their college career, some internship experiences are very foreign to some students.  But, by leading them, teaching them, and being a mentor to them, it can become a rewarding experience not only for the student, but for you as well.  In the end, it is important to realize that although hiring an intern can seem like it will be a help to your company, it is also a lot of work.  However, if you  are committed to helping a student grow in the graphic communications industry, an internship can be a valuable experience for everyone.