Assess internal readiness to teach and manage student interns. Develop learning objectives, student qualifications, and job description.

  • Assessing Internal Interest
    There are a number of factors to consider when creating an internship program for your organization. The resources and worksheets on this page will provide probing questions for you to assess interest and need balanced with realistic expectations. Depending on the size of your business and the size of the internship program you create, this process will take a few hours to a few weeks.

    Worksheet: Assessing Interest

  • Finding the Right Student
    Now that you have a solid list of departments, supervisors, projects, and timing it’s time to consider your target audience. Several factors will be considered when deciding on the students best suited for the internships you are offering. Use the following checklist to make your selections.

    Checklist: Determining Your Target Audience

  • Developing Objectives
    Whether paid or unpaid, an internship is about learning. Develop learning objectives, methods of learning, and tasks as a first step in writing your internship description.

    Worksheet: Internship Objectives

  • Writing your Internship Description(s)
    You have all of the components needs to draft your internship description(s). You know the type of experience you are offering, what departments will host an intern, who will supervise, when you can host, what you expect interns to learn, and how they will learn it. You’ve done a lot of work to get to this point. It’s time to write the internship description. Just like a student’s resume, the format, content, and information provided will have a significant impact on the number and quality of applicants you receive. We have provided do’s and don’ts for each component of your description.

    Document: Do’s and Don’ts: Writing Your Internship Description

  • Extra Credit
    To add depth and enhanced learning and professional development beyond the intern’s specific role consider adding collaborative content. Examples include:
    • Scheduled time with company executives
    • Periodic gatherings of all interns to share what they are learning
    • Cross functional projects that allow interns from different departments to work together
    • Coordinated social time for professionals and interns
    • Intern presentation to staff about the experience, project outcomes, etc.