Internships aren't just for students

Recently, I was on the TODAY Show talking with David Gregory and Ann Hodgman, a 52-year-old "executive intern" at the website wowOwow.com.  I've been recommending adult internships for ages to anyone who is thinking of changing careers, looking for on-the-job experience, or hoping to network their way into a new position. But these internships have some fundamental differences from the classic internship being done by a college student or recent grad. Here's why:

1. Often it's the individual, not the employer, who proposes an adult internship, and there probably isn't an intermediary like a university making the match. So if you're interested in crafting an internship, it's up to you to identify the right organization and decide how to approach the subject. When you do, tout the experience you can bring to the organization, your hunger to learn, and the fact that the organization has little to lose by taking a chance on you.

2. These are customized arrangements so every deal will be different. Will it be paid or unpaid? Will the employer cover any expenses, like training or transportation? Will there be opportunities for any benefits? It all depends on what you negotiate.

3. To succeed as an adult intern, you can't be too proud. While you may have years of experience, the point of an internship is to figure out what you need to learn. And you'll have to get comfortable that you might be learning from someone many years your junior. If you play it right, your younger colleagues should find that there is plenty they can learn from you as well.

Like all internships, the best way to go from unpaid to paid -- or to a part- or full-time position -- is to prove to that you're indispensable.

For more background on planning an adult internship, have a look at the book, "Test-Drive Your Dream Job," by Brian Kurth.

If you've ever had an adult internship, am I missing something?  Please share your stories and any tips in the comments.