How Can I Best Utilize My Intern?

As you would with any new employee:

• Provide a thorough orientation to your business and your organization.
• Physically orient the intern to your work environment with a tour of your facilities.
• Provide information on the organizational structure.
• If the intern is new to the area, provide information about your geographical location.
• Discuss and clarify employer and student expectations for the internship experience.
• Your intern is subject to the same procedures, regulations, etc. that govern your other employees. It may be helpful to assign a mentor or "buddy" at this initial stage to assist in the intern’s introduction to the new work environment.

Supervision
Your intern will probably be able to work quite independently once the orientation/training period is complete. However, your student will need at least the level of supervision that you would provide for any employee:

• Assign a specific supervisor: Supervisor should be accessible for questions, direction or assistance with any problem.
• Evaluation: Provide frequent feedback to the interns about performance. In addition, towards the end of each academic quarter, you will receive an evaluation form from the Career Center. We ask that you use that form to:
  • Provide more formalized feedback for your intern.
  • Realistically assess your intern’s strengths and weaknesses.
  • Make recommendations for the intern’s further professional development.
  • A Few Words of Advice

Please remember that the Career Center staff is here to help to assist you whenever you have questions or concerns. Professional Career Counselors work with students and employers in your intern's academic major, and will be able to assist you. You can contact our office at 202-651-5240.