This document provides guidance for small businesses to establish an internship program. It discusses defining the program goals and processes, recruiting interns each semester, and the benefits for both employers and students. Top areas for internships include marketing, research, design, programming, and administration. The document recommends onboarding interns, assigning projects and mentors, providing feedback and development, and conducting exit interviews to evaluate the program.

1. Building an Internship Program
for Your Small Business
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2. Defining an Internship Program
 This document will help you build an annual
internship program at your organization (vs. simply
recruit one intern for one semester/summer).
 An Internship Program includes, the plan,
resources, and processes to bring on an intern(s)
Fall, Spring, and Summer that can contribute to
the organization’s goals, accomplish pre-defined
tasks, and receive experience, supervision, and
expertise for their time and energy
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3. Benefits for Employers
 Buildcapacity and bench strength
 Access to new expertise, trends, and
educated talent
 Opportunity to evaluate and screen
students for full-time positions
 Consistency of intern(s) each semester
 Fresh ideas and energy
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4. Top Intern Positions
 Social media
 Online and other marketing
 Research (grant, market, trends)
 Graphic design
 Programming (web and application)
 IT support (desktop)
 Sales support
 Administrative
 Copywriting
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5. Benefits for Students
 Job and workplace experience
 Resume builders – project-work
 Class or internship credit to graduate
 Various financial incentives
 Build a network/get exposure to industry
 Potential for increased starting salary
 Faster ramp-up with first full-time job
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6. Processes Recommended
 Establish program parameters and goals
 Set expectations and define interests upfront
 Complete orientation and onboarding
 Create discrete projects intern can complete
 Have a Mentor or Buddy for the intern
 Conduct performance reviews/feedback
 Develop training and development opportunities
 Assign a single supervisor/manager
 Perform regular checkpoints
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7. Internship Success Factors
 Eliminate “ just an intern” mentality
 A formal welcome for intern to the organization
 Clear roles, responsibilities, goals and tasks
 Intern commitment and management support
 Explain how internship relates to business goals
 Find the proper incentives
 Schedule time for transition & documentation
 End of semester presentation/wrap-up
 Staying connected after the internship
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8. Available Incentives
 Performance bonus
 Commissions
 Class credit (students will know the process)
 References/connections/networking
 Mentorship
 Professional development
 Unique experiences
 Unique contributions
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9. On-boarding Checklist
 Welcome announcement to all employees
 Discuss start and end dates
 Define work hour and on-site expectations
 Provide dress code and day 1 directions
 Provide buddy and supervisor information
 Define list of projects & owners/contacts
 Ensure intern has proper supplies/resources
 See Sample Orientation Outline for more
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10. Daily Operations Checklist
 Orient students and get them started on
assignments
 Explain bigger picture – why project matters
 Provide regular training and development
 Meet weekly to provide feedback/check status
 Have them document their work/processes
 Have them develop a transition plan
 See Sample MOU for an Internship
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11. End of Program Checklist
 Have them present their findings/projects
 Transition the role and material to new intern
 Conduct an exit interview
 Identify improvements to your internship
program and make revisions
 Have the intern Complete Employer Eval
 Complete the Student Eval
 See Sample Exit Interview for more
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12. For More Information
 If you have any questions, contact us at:
info@campus2careers.com
 To find any of the forms referenced in this presentation check
out Internship Forms on our Employer Resources page at
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