Develop an Internship Program
Optimize your future talent pipeline by investing early in emerging talent.
Internships (including co-op placements) are on the rise. Companies that face a shortage of skilled labor with key competencies use internships to build their employer brand and strengthen talent pipelines to high-value candidates. Meanwhile, prospective employees facing a difficult labor market covet internships as the means to gain work experience in a new field or industry.
Need Extra Help?
Speak With An Analyst.
- Get on-demand project support
- Get advice, coaching, and insight at key project milestones
- Go through a Guided Implementation to help you get through your project
Our Advice
Critical Insight
A well-thought-through, structured internship program expands the talent pipeline and supports organizational goals through meaningful work that benefits both interns (and co-ops) and the organization.
Impact and Result
- Get the project done quickly and carefully by focusing on goals and outcomes. Internship programs fail when organizations are not clear about the goals of the program or its learning outcomes and when they fail to mentor and supervise interns effectively.
- A successful program does not need to be time-consuming so long as key elements are in place. Internships that work have a clearly defined work plan, a diligent recruiting process, and an effective framework for intern supervision and mentoring.
About McLean & Company
McLean & Company is an HR research and advisory firm providing practical solutions to human resources challenges via executable research, tools, diagnostics, and advisory services that have a clear and measurable impact on your business.
What Is a Blueprint?
A blueprint is designed to be a roadmap, containing a methodology and the tools and templates you need to solve your HR problems.
Each blueprint can be accompanied by a Guided Implementation that provides you access to our world-class analysts to help you get through the project.
Need Extra Help?
Speak With An Analyst
Get the help you need in this 4-phase advisory process. You'll receive 8 touchpoints with our researchers, all included in your membership.
Guided Implementation 1: Define the internship program structure.
- Call 1: Review organizational information and talent needs and determine the most appropriate internship program format.
Identify potential projects, intern responsibilities, and learning experiences. Outline the learning outcomes that you expect the internship program to create, and identify relevant skills that internship candidates should exhibit.
- Call 2: Outline program goals and metrics.
- Call 3: Solidify degree of centralization and accountabilities of stakeholders.
Guided Implementation 2: Plan for internship recruitment.
- Call 1: Review criteria for selecting intern managers.
- Call 2: Identify internship recruitment plans.
Guided Implementation 3: Design approach for intern integration.
- Call 1: Plan internship socialization and development opportunities.
- Call 2: Identify performance evaluation process for interns.
Guided Implementation 4: Prepare to implement the program.
- Call 1: Outline an action and communication plan.
Contributors
- Megan Adams, Program Associate, DreamWakers
- Randy Breitling, VP Human Resources, Capital Farm Credit
- Kimberly Chomut, Human Resources Director, TAXI
- Jenny Crawford, Director, Talent Acquisition, Oshkosh Corporation
- Danielle DeVries, Associate Director, Corporate Recruiting, Ivey Business School at Western University
- Meagan Graham, Commercial Director, McLean & Company
- Jeffrey Moss, Founder and CEO, Parker Dewey
- Emily Ronning, National Design Director, The BrandLab
- Stephanie Scott, Campus Recruiting Lead, West Monroe
- Keirsten Sires, Founder and CEO, LRT Sports
- Stephanie Small, Creative Operations Manager & Executive Assistant, TAXI
- Breanne Stoudt, Campus Program Advisor, BCI
- Michael True, President, INTRUEITION.com/InternQube.com
- Echo (Hanrui) Xiao, Coordinator, Early Talent Acquisition (Capital Markets), RBC
Elevate Talent Sourcing
Redesign the Candidate Experience
Build an Employee Referral Program
Design an Impactful Organizational Alumni Program
Build a Customized Campus Recruitment Program
Develop an Internship Program
Determine the Right Recruitment Process Outsourcing Solution