Interns can do a lot more than fetching coffee. In fact, many companies claim interns are a valuable asset to their work – not to mention how beneficial it is for college students looking for experience. This is why, on January 28, 2015, 1 Million Cups will feature an event you won’t want to miss – especially any college students reading this right now.

We will be holding an internship promotion opportunity, similar to the live job board. After the presentation, which will be given by SDSU student Zak Fick on his startup Help University, the floor will be open to companies and students to share what they do, and what they are looking for in an internship.

“This is about an opportunity, similar to our live job board, where companies are going to have the opportunity to present what they do and what type of interns they are looking to hire,” said Emerging Prairie co-founder Greg Tehven, who is organizing the event. “We’re hoping to get a lot of college students in the room that are looking for opportunities.”

Internships can be an extremely valuable, and mutually beneficial experience for both the business and the intern. Forbes has published two articles on why companies should hire interns. They do specify, however, that the company motive is also important. For instance, you should not hire an intern for free labor, the article states, or if you have no clear goals in mind. Instead, interns can be hired on to gain a new perspective on “the way we’ve always done it,” and help to complete a project. And after the experience, you may just hire that intern on as a paid employee.

For the Fargo-Moorhead area especially, internships are a great thing to offer. With three exceptional colleges as a staple part of the community, there is a wealth of student talent waiting to be tapped into. Tehven mentions that an increase in student involvement with the entrepreneurial community is a key stakeholder to growing local entrepreneurship in 2015. And, as anyone who has been a student understands, internships can be absolutely vital to building a resume and gaining experience in your field. It’s a win-win.

Tehven, who hired on interns for Emerging Prairie last summer with tremendous results, sees internships as a necessity for college students.

“My belief is that internships are critical to a college students development,” he said. “Getting them connected to early stage, high-growth, startup-based companies is an incredible way to learn, and a real chance to make an impact with an organization at a young age.”

If you’re a college student or a company looking for an internship this year, be sure not to miss this special 1 Million Cups on January 28, 2015. It will be held at 9:15 am at The Stage at Island Park. Come prepared with a description of the type of work you are looking for. We look forward to seeing some great partnerships come from this event!

 Cover photo provided by cairflorida.org.