Build an Internship Program That Works for Students and Your Organization
Internships provide a powerful way to develop early talent, bring fresh perspectives into the workplace, and build a pipeline for future hiring. A strong internship program does more than meet short-term needs, it gives students meaningful experience, clear learning goals, and a deeper understanding of your industry, while helping your organization identify and develop emerging professionals.
The Career & Professional Development Center partners with employers to create internship experiences that are structured, engaging, and beneficial for everyone involved.
Ready to get started?
Connect with us to promote your internship opportunity:
- Post an Internship on Handshake
- Partner with the Career & Professional Development Center to market your opportunity
Why Create an Internship Program?
A well-designed internship program can help your organization:
- Build a pipeline of future talent
- Increase brand awareness on campus
- Bring in new perspectives and ideas
- Support short-term projects with dedicated student talent
- Develop future full-time hires with reduced recruiting risk
- Strengthen your organization’s commitment to learning and workforce development
Internships also help students explore career paths, build professional skills, and connect classroom learning to real-world experience.
What Makes an Internship Successful?
The best internships are intentional. Students should leave with new skills, stronger confidence, and a clearer understanding of professional expectations. Employers should benefit from meaningful contributions and gain insight into potential future hires.
- Define the role
Identify the department, supervisor, timeline, work format, and key responsibilities. Strong internships include projects that build relevant skills not just routine administrative tasks.
- Set learning goals
Outline what the student should gain from the experience, such as communication, teamwork, industry knowledge, technical skills, or project management.
- Provide supervision and mentorship
Designate a supervisor who offers direction, feedback, and support. Consider adding a mentor or team contact to help the student feel connected and engaged.
- Offer meaningful work
Interns gain the most when they contribute to real projects. Whenever possible, connect their work to broader team goals so they understand the impact of their contributions.
- Give feedback regularly
Schedule consistent check-ins to review progress, answer questions, and provide coaching. Ongoing feedback improves both the student experience and project outcomes.
- Wrap up with reflection
A final evaluation or closing conversation allows both the student and employer to reflect on accomplishments, growth areas, and next steps.
Key Elements of a Quality Internship
A quality internship program typically includes:
- A clear position description
- Defined start and end dates
- Specific learning objectives
- Meaningful projects and responsibilities
- Regular supervision and feedback
- A professional, inclusive work environment
- Fair compensation when possible
- Opportunities for skill development and networking
- A final evaluation or reflection process
Paid vs. Unpaid Internships
We strongly encourage employers to offer paid internships whenever possible. Paid opportunities increase access for students, strengthen applicant pools, and support equitable participation in experiential learning.
If you are considering an unpaid internship, please contact our Office of Service Learning. Roles must be carefully reviewed to ensure they meet applicable legal standards and do not replace the work of regular employees. Employers are responsible for complying with all federal, state, and local laws related to internships and compensation.
Disclaimer: Internship guidelines can vary. Employers should consult their human resources team or legal counsel when determining whether an internship may be unpaid.
Tips for Designing an Engaging Internship Experience
Consider incorporating:
- An orientation to the organization and team
- A written work plan or project outline
- Professional development activities
- Networking opportunities with staff or leadership
- Exposure to meetings, events, or industry conversations
- Midpoint and final evaluations
These elements help interns better understand workplace culture and make the experience more valuable and impactful.
Partner With the Career & Professional Development Center
Our center is here to help you create internship opportunities that align with student learning and workforce needs. We can support you by:
- Promoting and marketing your opportunities, including info sessions (in-person or virtual)
- Connecting you with qualified candidates
- Advising on recruiting timelines and best practices
- Supporting long-term employer engagement
Whether you are launching your first internship program or refining an existing one, we look forward to partnering with you.
Updated: April 21, 2026