How to Start an Internship Program in 3 Easy Steps

Summer is approaching, but it is not too late to start an internship program -- even if it’s your first time doing it! Setting up an internship program can be a fantastic way to inject fresh talent into your organization while providing valuable learning experiences for aspiring professionals. By following these three easy steps, you can get your internship program up and running and start reaping the benefits! 

Define Your Objectives and Structure

Before diving into the logistics of your internship program, take a step back and define your objectives. What do you hope to achieve by hosting interns? Are you looking to fill specific skill gaps, increase diversity, or build a talent pipeline? Understanding your goals will guide the entire process. 

Once you've clarified your objectives, it's time to outline the structure of your program. Consider factors such as: 

• Duration: Will your internships be short-term (e.g., summer internships) or year-round? 

Most of our clients have classic short-term summer internship programs. In fact, 57% of TCWGlobal interns start their internship in the summer, but 23% start as early as the spring. Our data also tells us that internships generally last between 10-14 weeks. 

Number of Interns by Length of Assignment

• Roles and Responsibilities: What tasks and projects will interns be involved in? How will they contribute to your organization?

Number of Interns by Client Industry  

To us, that says that young talent in the engineering, biology, data science, and software development fields are in high demand and are of high value to your organization. 

• Supervision and Mentorship: Who will oversee the interns' work? Assigning dedicated mentors can enhance the learning experience. 

Consider giving the opportunity to someone who isn’t currently in management as a way to grow their leadership skills.  

Develop a Recruitment Strategy

Now that you have a clear vision for your internship program, it's time to attract candidates. Start by leveraging your existing networks, including universities, colleges, and professional organizations. Reach out to career services offices and professors to promote your internship opportunities. 

Additionally, utilize online platforms such as LinkedIn, Handshake, or dedicated internship websites to advertise your openings. Craft compelling job descriptions that highlight the learning opportunities and skills development available through your program. 

If you need your internship program to stand out, TCWGlobal offers unique benefits for interns, including gym reimbursements, charitable gift matching, classroom rewards, and pet adoption discounts! We can also make it easy to create and manage a bonus or expense program as well.  

Number of Interns who Used Each Unique Benefitexcluding Medical, Dental, Vision, Exp 

Here, you can see that our interns love all our benefits near equally, but Classroom Rewards is a favorite. With our classroom rewards program students are rewarded for having good grades with swag!  

Establish a Supportive Environment

Once you've recruited your interns, it's crucial to create a supportive environment where they can thrive. Remember, internships should be a two-way street, with interns gaining valuable skills and insights while also contributing to your organization's success. 

Be sure to: 

• Assign them meaningful projects that align with their interests and career goals, while also challenging them to grow. 

• Have regular check-ins and feedback sessions are essential for nurturing intern development. 
• Encourage open communication and create opportunities for interns to share their experiences and ask questions. 
• Celebrate the achievements of your interns and recognize their contributions to your team. Some examples include end-of-internship presentations, certificates of completion, or networking events. 

No matter the job, TCWGlobal tries to create a memorable experience for our workers, but this year we are going above and beyond in terms of curating the internship experience by offering them to use our proprietary professional development software while on the job.  

Final Thoughts

With these 3 easy steps and a partner like TCWGlobal, you are well on your way to launching a successful internship program that benefits both your organization and the next generation of professionals.   

So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your internship program today and unlock the potential of tomorrow's talent! 

Fill out the form below if you want to hear more about TCWGlobal can support your new internship program: We don’t just handle the legal employer responsibilities, like timkeeping, payroll, and benefits, but we also create a memorable experience for your interns and care for them like our own.