Why companies should be investing in the millennial intern

The millennial workforce in the professional world has become a prospective attrayante, for companies looking to adapt to the currents of the ongoing tech revolution. However, most companies prefer to test the mettle of this generation of tech wizards and social media connoisseurs, before offering them a permanent place in their offices, this is by observing how they fare during an internship.

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According to a widely-conducted research, millennials make up 64 per cent of the Indian work force by 2021. The standard millennial intern aims to try his\her hand at a number of industries and professional roles, before settling on one which they wish to pursue full-time for the next five years or so. To this end, they are flexible, ambitious and determined to give everything a try – even taking on responsibilities outside their profile, for the fulfilment of the experience.

These are just a few of the many reasons why companies should invest their resources in hiring millennial interns. On that note, here’s why companies should invest in millennial interns, keeping in mind the long-term benefits as well.

They are flexible

Millennials by nature are more curious, well-informed and experimental, when compared to their Baby boomer counterparts. They are willing to take on different responsibilities, even those outside their initial assignments. More than anything, they are willing to experiment with the roles you give them, so there’s always the possibility of a new and creative touch that they might add to the same.

“...This generation is radically different, as it is an always-connected generation. And companies need to respond to this change fast,” says Debabrat Mishra, Director, human resources consultancy Hay Group.

They grew up in the tech revolution

Most millennials have a first-hand experience of the tech revolution, during which technology became more accessible to the average user through and through. Millennials, thus, are used to dealing with basic software’s and the like, and in fact expect their workspace to be tech-friendly and enabled. As a result, they significantly raise the pace and efficiency of a workspace, a fact that companies have begun to take into note.

A prime example of this would be Infosys’ launch of the Murmuration initiative in August 2014, to find innovative ideas that could be built into the company strategy. “Infosys launched this initiative because millennials expect a technology-enabled workplace that promotes a collaborative, transparent and participative organization culture and innovation, and rewards individual contribution,” says Richard Lobo, HR Chief of the company.

They aren’t high maintenance

Most often than not, experienced professional are not eager to learn and accommodate all the way from the start – no matter the pay. He or she will be used to a certain level of managerial air, and will refer to their own expertise for finding solutions to problems, some of which may not fit with the company’s policies. With millennial interns, you can expect less hassle and the fact that they are willing to be taught from ground up to work as per the company’s greatest benefits, will only help the latter in the long-run.

They are up to date with changing trends

Millennials are also the main users of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. As a result, even subconsciously, they are up to date with the changing popular trends and habits – which in all probability characterize the customer-base of the company in question.

According to surveys, 34% of younger millennials (18-24) are using Instagram daily. Even more telling, 30% of millennials 18-24 are on Snapchat every day. This keeps them in the loop of changing interests, be it in terms of pop-culture or something more streamlined like business or politics – on a daily basis.

To put it simply, a millennial intern is not only aware about dynamic trends that the company needs to keep in track with, but he or she will also be able to reflect the consumer-pattern of the average millennial buyer.