The hot internship topic of the past few weeks has definitely been, "Adult Internships" also termed, "non-traditional internships". Are adults getting internships ? Are increased layoffs resulting in increased internship interest ? Are those  who graduated school years ago even allowed to intern ?

As your "Intern Queen" I figured it was my job to get to the bottom of this. In Los Angeles, I recently watched a segment on CNN entitled, "Adult Internships". The segment discussed the  number of companies offering adults internships. I personally deal with over 400 companies on a daily basis. These companies are usually not open to viewing anyone's resume accept for currently enrolled college students. Even getting them to take a look at highschool student's applications can be a difficult process. Many employers actually use my site to get away from sites like Craigslist who tend to attract adults looking for a "career change" at 40 plus years of age. I was naturally skeptical of this new trend of "Adult Internships".

However, after speaking with several adults who ARE participating in internships in Los Angeles and in businesses around the country, I have to agree that Adult Internships ARE a growing trend. Employers are going to have to start finding ways to open their doors and internship programs to people of all ages.

WHY ADULT INTERNSHIPS ARE A GROWING TREND IN TODAY'S ECONOMY

1. INCREASED LAYOFFS.  Becuase of the steady increase of layoffs in today's economy, adults have been left in "transitional periods". If they can't get job offers in their industry they are left to think of other options. Many adults are saying they would rather have an internship and keep busy while they're on the 'job hunt' than sit around and sulk.

2. THE "PASSION" CAREER. Afer being left with a not-so-great severance package, many adults are just fed up with their previous industries. They are looking back at their lives and questioning why they didn't go into other careers/businesses. Many people are starting their own companies and going after different types of jobs. This a time for  everyone to go after what they really want and an internship is the best way for ANYONE to get their foot in the door.

3. NETWORKING AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING. Internships are a great way to connect with individuals who you might not normally connect with. Internships are a great way to build up a new strong rolodex. As an intern, you are constantly meeting new people, helping different executives, and getting your name out there. Putting great relationships into place as an intern, can garauntee first knowledge of new jobs and company information that outsiders might not have.

4. THEY ALREADY "GET IT". One common problem with highschool and college students interning, is the lack of workplace/realworld knowledge. Young interns often don't understand when to speak and when not to speak, when to give ideas and when not to give ideas. They don't understand the politics,professional manners, and boundaries of the workplace. With adult interns, the chances of these problems is significantly decreased.

5. MASTERY OF ENTRY LEVEL TASKS. Along the same lines as my previous point, adults have already started at the bottom and worked their way up in one field or another. Typical intern tasks like making copies, fetching coffee, answering phones, taking clear messages are already engraved into their minds. This usually isn't something that needs to be re-learned.

6. KNOWLEDGE OF SCHEDULE. The idea of commitment to most college students is scary. No one likes to commit to anything;  a job, internship, relationship, after-school activity. Another common issue with college interns is they aren't aware of their time and haven't  mastered time management techniques. Interns often ask to leave early, call in sick, or don't show up. Adults seem to have a better grasp of commitment and aren't as quick to accept a position without really thinking it through.

7. THE VIRTUAL INTERNSHIP. Due to a large growth in start-up companies around the globe offering, "Virtual Internships", more and more adults have signed on. Many mothers go after these Virtual positions to stay busy at home. It allows them to be with their children and feel like they are still getting work done.

What the  Twitterverse Says About "Adult Internships"

Colleen2782@InternQueen I do believe that if someone gets layed off or just wants to follow a new road they should have the opportunity to intern.

tmccorkindale@InternQueen Great idea for college professors, but the work is usually different than a college student internship.

IamUsh@InternQueen yes if they can get the work done why not, everyone has to start somewhere. Wisdom is a plus...

leelee_uk@InternQueen yes!..I want to change career and would like the opportunity to Intern :)

juliemkidwell@InternQueen at our company, if you're 2 years or less out of college but haven't had that specific industry experience, you're ok to intern.

AmberPetersonPR@InternQueen YES! They should be able to intern. I know that when I graduate this July I plan on interning first!

deanna413@InternQueen tough question..ultimately i think yes though, college students will have more opps in future, adults need to feed families.

smshipley@InternQueen it's also a good way for people to start working in a new industry which can be tough at any age.

globalsultana@InternQueen - we once had an intern that was 35 years old (she was studying her masters) and we thought she was wonderful!

smshipley@InternQueen If theyre young pros still new 2 the industry they should bc they still have things 2 learn & gain aside fr just connections.

opethestylist@InternQueen it's possible. I know lots of people who do it especially in Fashion fields.

Cramster@internqueen That's tough. Internships are a great way for students to gain experience (which someone who has graduated may already have)

geointlinc@InternQueen Yeah absolutely. why not? There's a stereotype that interns have to be young. Should be open to all ages.

addystarshine@InternQueen NO! because then they take all my job opportunities.

Colorburned@InternQueen I think so. Why should hazing be exclusive to college kids?

DisneyEC@InternQueen I don't think the age of the intern is important, its their attitude.

sjp13@InternQueen why should age make a difference? Besides aren't college students adults?

thedmp@internqueen adult internships should surely be allowed...if someone wants an op why not?

lucymfel@InternQueen With so many older adults being in jobs for over 15+, would be a great idea for them to intern if they are career transitioning.

gonzomehum@InternQueen What'd constitute an "adult?" 18 years of age is considered a legal adult, and nobody's arguing they shouldn't intern.

LaurenFriese@InternQueen TalentEgg article on Virgin's Screw You Recession covers that topic exactly - check it out tomorrow at screwyourecession.ca.

More Stories on "Adult Internships"

NYTimes: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/21/business/retirement/21intern.html

Monster: http://6steps.monster.com/step2/adultinterns/

CNN Money: http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2009/04/03/internships-are-not-just-for-kids/2