1. Good internships are good business

2. DEFINITION
in·tern·ship
A work-based learning program under which
youth, college students, adult learners or
unemployed workers gain professional
experience under supervision.

3. AN INTERNSHIP
Learning goals
Supervision
Academic, career and personal
development
Evaluation and reflection
Full or part time work
Pay or academic credit
INCLUDES

4. AN INTERNSHIP
• Free help
• Meant to replace an employee
• More than 20% busy work (filing, covering the phone, errands)
IS NOT

5. PAID INTERNSHIPS
Wages for internships are usually
determined before hiring the intern
and not typically negotiable
Consider paying consistent wages
across all interns within a
department
Students in technical fields are
generally paid more than
nontechnical fields
Pay for interns often varies by
location, type of industry, size of
organization, etc.
Paying interns is encouraged but if
you cannot pay your intern, you
must meet certain criteria
Learn more about requirements for
unpaid internships in the “Employer
Guide to Creating a Successful
Internship Program” available at
www.bridge.jobs
UNPAID INTERNSHIPS

6. WHAT’SINITFORYOU Your staff will have the time and freedom
to pursue creative or more advanced
projects.
Interns can help increase your staff
retention rate.
Interns can bring the latest strategies and
techniques in your field straight to your
door.
Hosting an intern will help maintain your
connections with colleges and increase
your visibility on campus.

7. WHAT’SINITFORYOU Interns help promote community
involvement.
It’s a great recruitment tool for finding &
training future talent in your industry.
Internships create awareness of the field
for future hires.
You are giving to the community by
teaching the future work force.

8. Bottom Line: Employers have reported that they convert
half of their eligible interns into full-time hires.

9. SIGNS OF A GOOD
INTERNSHIP
YOUR PROGRAM
MAY NEED IMPROVEMENT IF
Your intern receives challenging
projects and tasks
Your intern is getting broad
exposure to the organization and
your industry
You are supervising your intern to
make sure they are accomplishing
goals and keeping pace
Your intern is happy and engaged
Your intern spends most of his/her
time making copies and getting you
coffee
Your intern is not learning anything
about your organization and
industry
Your intern doesn’t have enough to
do
Your intern isn’t being supervised or
getting feedback on their work

10. Information in this presentation was created with support from
the following organizations.

11. WANT MORE?
Download the Employer Guide to Creating a Successful
Internship Program at bRIdge.jobs and learn about:
• Designing your internship program
• Writing an internship description
• Creating an orientation for your interns
• Insurance & legal considerations
• Internship evaluations