Tips for Supervisors and Interns to Create a Great Internship
This intern orientation and supervision tips are offered as a guide to a successful and productive internship experience.
Not every suggestion works well in every situation or in every organization. Some interns may prefer more or less supervision. Some supervisors may follow specific company-mandated procedures while others may have highly individual methods of work management and supervision. We have tried to suggest answers to the most frequently asked questions as we cover general areas of mutual concern.
In addition, the Unity College Career Resource Center staff is available to you at any time during the internship.
Intern and supervisor should meet prior to the start of the job assignment either in person or by telephone. Intern should address living arrangements, means of transportation and dress code issues prior to the start of the internship so that energy and attention can be focused on the internship. The intern should learn as much as possible about the organization in advance. This can help the intern feel more at ease at the beginning of the internship. Ancillary tasks as well as main project ideally should be discussed before or by intern’s first day of work. Attempt to accommodate intern’s strengths and interest when assigning such tasks. Supervisor and intern should discuss reasonable checkpoints for project evaluation throughout the intern's employment. Be specific about end stage requirements such as reports, presentations or policy recommendations. Both should recognize that the internship itself requires a creative approach. Any obstacles along the way can be viewed as part of the learning experience. Research and background materials should be available to intern at start of assignment. Field tools and office equipment should be in working condition. Determine in advance if intern is eligible for company privileges such as discounts, or company-sponsored summer picnic, etc. Interns should be aware of their share of responsibility for all of above, from learning where to report on the first day of work to being able to provide any educational and background information that may be required.
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Welcome and introduce intern as new member of a professional team. If the intern is to work with more than one supervisor, both supervisors should be aware of work assigned by each.
Explain office environment, indicating which aspects of the internal workings of the organization the intern should familiarize herself with at first opportunity. Describe general office routine. Working hours, lunch breaks, etc. Are they flexible? Provide organizational chart or staff list with phone numbers and extensions to intern. Identify back-up person when supervisor plans to be out of the office for travel, vacation, etc.Describe any confidentiality issues and how they are handled. Review scope of project work. Re-state expected end product. Inform intern of any departmental or staff meetings he/she is expected to attend. Provide time during staff meetings for intern to report on the progress of the project. Explain expense reimbursement policies.
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Arrange for the intern to present the results of her/his project to a group of employees and staff or other outside professionals. An article written by the intern might be published in the organization’s newsletter or added to the company web site. Schedule an exit interview as a learning experience for both supervisor and intern. Consider writing a letter of recommendation for the intern.
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