Employers: Crafting Your Internship Postings to Attract Talent

Entry by Pat Patterson (from the December INTERNnetwork)

Now that you have a need for an intern(s), it is important to advertise your opportunities properly to encourage students to apply. When writing a position description, be sure to include the following key elements:

Organization overview: It is helpful to provide the potential applicant with a brief overview of your organization, along with links to your company web site, blog, social media accounts, etc. Remember, internship postings are a form of advertising and students are searching for organizations that will be a good fit for them. 

Internship title: Be specific (e.g., “marketing intern,” “event planning intern,” “accounting intern”). Giving your internship a detailed title will help the student determine if he/she wants to learn more.

Minimum GPA: Based upon a 4.0 scale, determine the minimum GPA you will accept from applicants (4.0 = A; 3.0 = B; 2.0 = C; 1.0 = D). Consider indicating a slightly lower GPA than may be ideal to increase the overall number of potential candidates. A student with a 2.9 GPA who has an ideal background for your open position, for example, may not apply if you ask for students with a 3.0 GPA or better). 

Degree track: Are you looking for a student currently working toward his/her associates, bachelors or masters degree? Do you require your intern to be at least a junior? Most students complete internships beginning the summer between their sophomore and junior years of college, but pursuing these kinds of opportunities even earlier is becoming increasingly common.

Timeframe: When would you like the internship to begin and end? Typical timeframes run along the same schedule as academic semesters: early September to early December for fall; late January to late April for spring and mid-May to early August for summer.

Weekly hours: Will your internship be part-time or full-time? How many hours would you like your intern to work per week? Keep in mind that while many students set aside their summer to participate in an internship full-time, fall and spring semesters offer class schedules that allow students to spend 15-30 hours per week in an internship. Additionally, depending on the student’s academic program, he/she may have a minimum number of internship hours that must be completed to qualify for academic credit. It is recommended that you state preferred internship hours in your position description (indicating any flexibility), but ask applicants about their availability during the interview process.

Required and preferred skills: Students taking part in internships learn in a hands-on environment, providing excellent experience for their future careers. While much will be taught during the internship, some skills are required prior to hiring. Should the student be familiar with PowerPoint, excel at public speaking or be creative? You should specify which are required before the internship and which will be learned on the job.

Responsibilities/goals: This should be the most detailed portion of your position description. The intern’s responsibilities are the projects he or she will perform and be expected to complete. It is recommended that they are listed from most to least important. While administrative duties may be included in this section, it is important to identify project work that is both helpful to you as an employer and educational for the intern, allowing for a meaningful, hands-on experience.

Other details: When is the application deadline? Is this a paid position? Is travel involved? Is a personal vehicle required? When do you plan to conduct interviews? Will you work with the student for academic credit? Should the student submit a writing sample or portfolio? Additional particulars (such as pay rate) can be discussed and negotiated during the interview and internship offer, but providing information up front allows the applicant to learn as much as possible about the opportunity prior to applying.