At some point, we have all been interns. It’s pretty much a given in the strength and conditioning industry. We've learned what our bosses expect from us and what not to do, and sometimes we even leave an internship thinking, “Did I even learn a damn thing?”
Well, if you’re a youngster in the industry, heed the words of those of us who have been interns and who have had interns under us. And if you’re a strength coach or gym owner with interns working under you, keep reading…this valuable information applies to you as well.
Do’s for Coaches Seeking Interns
DO have a plan and a book. Writing an intern guide sets you apart as a pro and lets them know what is expected of them.
DO have a required reading/viewing list for them. This should be training manuals and books that you find valuable. Ours includes the Parisi Dynamic Warmup DVD, the EFS Exercise Index DVD’s, Starting Strength, 5/3/1, and more.
DO give them milestones for performance, including written and practical tests. You evaluate clients, right? You should be evaluating your interns, too.
DO have a goal for your interns as far as your company goes. Do you want them to be employees? Are they here for college credit? Make sure you know exactly what you want from them before they start.
DO systematize your intern process and run it like you run the rest of your business. Interning is not simply racking weights and just standing around watching.
DO ask them questions about what and why you are doing what you are doing with clients. Let them know that it’s okay to say, “I don’t know.” However, show them that a better choice is to say, “I don’t know, but I will research the answer and get back to you.”
DO give them a shirt with your logo on it and make them wear it.
DO learn from your interns. They might have something valuable to offer. Listen to them.
Related Articles
The S&C Internship: A Simple Guide for S&C Coaches, Part 1
Interns and Impact, Part Three: The Impression You Make on Your Peers
