Chicago Semester

Successful Internships

Successful internships require both effort on the student’s part, as well as effort from the site to help orient a student to a site and to provide a positive supervision experience. Here are some ideas how to create a successful internship experience!

Orienting the Intern

Providing interns with some basic information can be very helpful in orienting them to your company and helping them become productive members. Information about some of the following may be helpful:

• History and mission of the organization
• Specific work standards and procedures as well as tasks that can be completed independently
• Communication practices (telephone, email, regular mail systems, typical forms of correspondence)

Supervising and Mentoring the Intern

The internship site supervisor plays a large role in the student’s learning experience and assists in his or her transition from the classroom to the work environment. This supervisory/mentoring relationship can be facilitated in a number of ways:

• Monitor the intern’s adjustment and understanding of what is expected.
• Schedule regular one-to-one meetings with the intern.
• Encourage the intern to ask questions.
• Keep the intern busy and directed toward his or her learning goals. Students rarely complain of overwork, but do complain if they are not being challenged.
• Give the intern opportunities to observe professionals in action by participating in staff and client meetings, attending presentations and talking with staff in other areas about their work and career paths.
• Encourage the intern to keep a portfolio of work accomplished during the semester. This will help fulfill the academic requirements (in some cases), provide a way to demonstrate achievements, and give the supervisor a basis to discuss the intern’s personal growth. Also, when appropriate, write a letter of recommendation that the student can take with them for future school and job applications.
• Include the intern in professional development opportunities of the organization, if appropriate, such as staff training sessions.