You're considering an internship program. What should you be looking for?

1 Goals and expectations

Before you start recruiting interns, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve with your program. What are your business objectives and how can interns contribute to them? What are the learning outcomes and career development opportunities for the interns? How will you measure and evaluate their performance and satisfaction? By setting realistic and specific goals and expectations, you can align your program with your organizational strategy and communicate effectively with your interns and other stakeholders.

2 Structure and duration

The structure and duration of your internship program depend on several factors, such as your industry, budget, resources, and availability of projects and tasks. You can choose to offer full-time or part-time internships, paid or unpaid internships, or a combination of both. You can also decide whether to run your program year-round, seasonally, or on a project basis. Whatever you choose, make sure that your program is long enough to provide meaningful work experience and learning opportunities for the interns, but not too long to disrupt your regular operations or create unrealistic expectations.

3 Recruitment and selection

The recruitment and selection of interns is a crucial step in ensuring the success of your program. You need to attract qualified and motivated candidates who fit your organizational culture and values. You can use various channels and methods to promote your program, such as your website, social media, job boards, campus events, referrals, or partnerships with educational institutions. You can also use different tools and criteria to assess the applicants, such as resumes, cover letters, interviews, tests, or portfolios. The key is to be transparent and consistent in your recruitment and selection process, and to follow the best practices and legal requirements of your industry and location.

4 Orientation and training

Once you have selected your interns, you need to provide them with a comprehensive orientation and training program. This will help them to understand your organization, their roles and responsibilities, and the expectations and policies of your program. You should also introduce them to their supervisors, mentors, and colleagues, and familiarize them with the tools and resources they will need to perform their tasks. The orientation and training program should be interactive and engaging, and tailored to the specific needs and interests of the interns.

5 Supervision and feedback

One of the most important aspects of your internship program is the supervision and feedback you provide to your interns. You need to assign a dedicated supervisor and a mentor for each intern, who will guide, support, and coach them throughout their internship. You should also establish regular communication and feedback mechanisms, such as meetings, check-ins, reports, or surveys, to monitor their progress, address their challenges, and recognize their achievements. The supervision and feedback you provide should be constructive and developmental, and aimed at enhancing the interns' skills and performance.

6 Evaluation and retention

The final step in your internship program is the evaluation and retention of your interns. You need to collect and analyze data and feedback from the interns, their supervisors, and other stakeholders, to assess the outcomes and impact of your program. You should also share the results and recommendations with the interns and the relevant parties, and celebrate the successes and lessons learned. Moreover, you should consider offering your interns opportunities to continue their relationship with your organization, such as permanent employment, contract work, referrals, or alumni networks. This will help you to retain the talent and knowledge you have invested in, and to build a positive reputation for your program.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?