First Internship Instructional Video Helps Employers Convert Student Talent into Business Gains

Z University (ZU) has fulfilled the long-overdue need for internships to enter the modern world, with its debut of ìThe Blueprint for Internship Successî -- a comprehensive instructional DVD that shows employers how to develop high-performance internship programs, and teaches managers the best ways to supervise students, fully utilize their talents and develop workplace skills.

Released just in time for the summer internship season, the Blueprint premieres a meticulously-crafted program management methodology, based on ZUís 20-plus years of first-hand experience with ëliveí internship programs and hundreds of hours of research and development. Itís the perfect companion to ZUís Intern Toolkit, a comprehensive system of materials that easily and effectively aids employers in developing and managing internships.

The 45-minute DVD is hosted by Matthew Zinman, founder of Z University and The Internship Institute, who employs a friendly, conversational style. The preview is available at www.zuniversity.org/blueprintvideotrailer.asp and more information is available at www.zuniversity.org/blueprint.asp.

The Blueprint video uses a pyramid graphic to illustrate the nine critical ëbuilding blocksí of a world-class internship program: at its foundation are the core best practices involving commitment, ownership, planning, recruiting, and expectation. Above them are training, delegation, productivity, and at top, improvement. Each of the nine building blocks comprises four related attributes. Once all 36 elements are revealed and combined, the pyramid equips employers with every advantage to achieve program excellence.

In addition to discussing the Blueprint model, Zinman presents a special segment about intern productivity, offering a wide-range of íreal workí project ideas based on five core skills involving research, writing, planning, telephone and computer work that interns can perform for most any business. Zinman also dispels ìThe Five Myths of Internships,î the first being that managers lack the time for interns. This misconception is refuted by ìThe Time Paradigm,î which demonstrates how managers can trade their time to have interns do more.

This is supported by a recent five-year study by The Internship Institute on student productivity, which proves that a single supervisor can gain up to 225 full work days of productivity in a calendar year simply by managing interns properly.

ìJust about any business professional can think of five or more hours a week that they spend on tasks that students are capable of doing instead,î explains Zinman. ìItís so much more rewarding to manage and mentor students and much more profitable to dramatically increase productivity and to develop and ëtest driveí potential employees.î

Included among the many details of best practices are those that focus on preparations and recruiting. ìSchool cycles are rarely in sync with employer financial and planning cycles,î Zinman explains in the video. He offers tips for when an employer should begin planning ahead, and how to establish relationships with universities.

The video also explores interviewing techniques, the use of self-assessments, managing resources, and providing students with needed guidance and structure. Together, these practical tips make the Blueprint instructional DVD an invaluable tool for companies that wish to start a new intern program, and for those with programs who are committed to improvement.

ìWith all due respect to the relatively few employers that have first-rate internship programs, most either donít know what theyíre doing, donít have the tools to do it right or, in most cases, donít realize what theyíre missing,î Zinman says. ìWe aim to remove those barriers and help employers convert internship benefits into business gains. Modernizing internship programs helps companies increase productivity, reduce ëbrain drain,í improve workforce readiness, and ëhome growí future employees.î

The video applies the same methodology ZU developed for its highly acclaimed Intern Toolkit, a complete system of program management and student training materials to unburden employers in every way for them to create the best possible internship programs. The Toolkit provides users with step-by-step guidance to apply a wealth of practical insights, adaptable templates and best practices to effectively recruit, train and manage student interns. It is available for purchase individually as well as in conjunction with the Blueprint video via: