By Will Young, Consulting Director
Interns bring fresh energy, curiosity, enthusiasm and ambition to the workplace – qualities that can invigorate teams and spark innovation. With many companies either in the midst of summer internships or preparing to onboard a September intake of interns, it’s important to reflect on how a thoughtfully designed internship experience can leave a lasting impression, not only on the interns themselves, but on the companies fortunate enough to host them. It’s a real opportunity for organisations to reflect on the way they welcome, support, and retain emerging talent.
The journey begins with onboarding. For many interns, this is their first exposure to a professional environment. How we welcome them into our teams speaks volumes. A well-structured onboarding process doesn’t start on the first day, it begins in the days leading up to it. Clear communication about expectations, a warm personalised welcome from the team, and a detailed roadmap of the first week can help eliminate the uncertainty that often comes with starting something new. From the outset, it’s important that interns feel not just informed, but included. Involving them in team meetings, social events, and company-wide activities sends a strong message: you belong here.
Mentorship is the heartbeat of a meaningful internship. Interns need more than tasks, they need guidance, context, and encouragement. A mentor or dedicated point of contact can play a vital role in helping them navigate the nuances of the workplace. Through regular check-ins, mentors can provide real-time feedback, answer questions, and most importantly, listen. It’s easy to forget how intimidating it can be to speak up in a new environment. Mentors help bridge that gap, creating a safe space for learning, growth, and honest dialogue. When interns are empowered to ask questions and explore ideas, they become more confident contributors.
As internships come to a close, the focus naturally shifts toward retention. A strong internship experience should never feel like a one-off engagement; it should feel like the beginning of something longer-term. Exit interviews are a valuable way to gather insight and reinforce that the intern’s experience and perspective matter. Keeping in touch with high-performing interns after their term ends, whether through periodic check-ins, alumni newsletters, or invitations to events, helps keep the relationship warm. When the timing is right, offering clear paths to return – either as full-time employees or as continuing interns – can turn today’s intern into tomorrow’s hire.
Internship programmes are more than temporary solutions to staffing gaps. When done right, they’re powerful pipelines of future talent. They offer companies the chance to shape the next generation of professionals and offer students and emerging workers the experience, confidence, and clarity they need to thrive in their careers.
So today, let’s do more than say “thank you”. Let’s build internship programmes that reflect the values we hold as organisations, programmes built on respect, support, inclusion, and long-term opportunity. Let’s demonstrate that we appreciate the value of creating an intern experience that’s not only educational but transformational. Let’s ensure that every intern leaves with more than just experience, they leave with a vision for their future. Because when we invest in our interns … we invest in the future of our workplaces.
To discuss any aspect, please contact Will Young, Consulting Director E: willyoung@bakertillymm.co.uk T: 028 9032 3466