[KLUG Members] Feedback on possible IT student help

[Robert G. Brown]

On Thu, 01 Jul 2004 07:44:15 -0500, "Robert V. Kanaley" wrote:


>I am thinking about trying to hire a part time, temp IT student to help me
>put together a Systems Administration system (something like the Morrison
>Industries IT Manual that Adam has) that would help me get my job done more
>efficiently,

Some impressions, from being involved in internships from time to time:

1. It's an investment... that is, you are going to have to invest some 
   time, especially up front. Doing what? Screening applicants, training
   the intern, answering questions, providing guidance. 

   If you're having a very hard time finding the spare time to engineer the 
   project you've outlined, the first couple of weeks are going to be brutal,
   and then, depending on how good the intern is, it ought to get a lot
   easier.

2. Timing... I don't know just when to approach the schools you've named, 
   so try now! Don't be disappointed if it takes 'em a couple of months to
   get something going. It may be fall before you actually get an intern, 
   even if you call tomorrow.

3. Interns often do not exhibit the level of commitment you might expect
   from a full-time employer, or someone on contract. It is great if you
   get an intern that is highly motivated, and many of them are; some-
   times you need to watch this with some care. Interns are not motivated
   by the same things you are, come to understand the effect of this on 
   the workflow.

I don't mean to throw cold water on your idea, I've seen interns do some 
good things, both for themselves and the ogranizations that provide the in-
ternships. I would like to see you adjust your expectations by expecting
that the road will not be smooth and easy, certainly not at once. If you 
put time and effort into this, it will repay itself well.

							Regards,
							---> RGB <---