Internship programs play a vital role in the career development of young professionals, while also providing big business wins for the employer. They provide opportunities for interns to gain real-world experience, develop new skills, and build professional networks. For the employer, internship programs create avenues for nurturing new talents that may have a career at the company in the future, and provide current employees with opportunities to hone in on their leadership and management skills.
However, not all internship programs are created equal. Some offer transformative experiences that set the stage for successful careers, while others fall short of delivering meaningful value. So, how do you create a successful internship program for both the interns and your company?
As the Will’s Group’s Manager of Talent Acquisition & Performance, our Rising Talent internship program has been a top priority. This program is known for its dynamic approach and emphasis on professional growth, offering a compelling case study on designing and implementing an effective internship experience that also provides our existing employees with new opportunities for growth. In this blog I will outline the program’s structure, goals, and what makes it stand out, illustrating how other organizations can replicate its success to create their own internship program:
- Rising Talent Internship Program: Overview and Goals
- How We Select and Onboard Interns
- Mentorship, Professional Development, and Project Work
Rising Talent Internship Program: Overview and Goals
The Wills Group’s Rising Talent program is a 10-week paid internship (starting at $18/hour) that runs each summer. It offers interns hands-on experience tackling real business challenges across multiple departments, such as Category Management, Information Technology, Marketing, Real Estate & Development, and Finance. Currently, we host five interns per cycle, and we plan to increase this number in the future.
The program is comprehensive in nature. In addition to functional internship responsibilities, we immerse interns in our Community Engagement activities, corporate events, and Dash In and Splash In ECO Car Wash store openings. Our summer 2024 interns, for instance, participated in one of our employee volunteer days at the Maryland Food Bank in July, and also attended and supported the grand opening of our newest Dash In store in Richmond, VA.
We also provide high-value career enrichment opportunities throughout the program. For instance, we host “coffee chats” with our Executive Leadership Team where interns have one-on-one meetings with company officers to learn more about their roles. These meetings are an important mentorship opportunity for our interns and Executive Leadership Team, with both parties sharing their perspectives and experiences.
Ultimately, the program’s primary goals and focus include:
- Comprehensive and Immersive Experiences: Interns are deeply involved in meaningful projects and company events.
- Strong Mentorship and Support Systems: Regular check-ins and guidance ensure interns receive the support they need, and employees have the opportunity to provide mentorship.
- Focus on Professional Development: Opportunities to learn from executive leaders and develop personal branding skills prepare interns for future success.
- Commitment to Company Values: The program reflects the Wills Group’s dedication to community engagement, professional growth, and corporate responsibility, aligning interns with our core values.
It is through these areas of focus that we help our interns develop business acumen, enhanced software skills, and deepen their understanding of what makes the Wills Group a Fortune Best Workplace and Great Place to Work. We aim for our interns to leave with a solid grasp of business knowledge, technical skills, and a strong sense of our company values. Building lasting relationships is also crucial, as these connections can greatly influence their future careers, whether that’s a future opportunity at the Wills Group or another company.
This holistic approach ensures interns are well-prepared for their careers and fully integrated into the fabric of our organization, while creating potential job opportunities and brand loyalty.
How We Select and Onboard Interns
Selecting the right candidates for the Rising Talent program is critical for its success. We actively recruit at career fairs and employer information booths, focusing on local Maryland schools like the University of Maryland, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, College of Southern Maryland, and Bowie State University.
Our selection criteria ensure a diverse and inclusive group of interns, prioritizing those who demonstrate leadership in extracurriculars and have customer-facing experience. We look for candidates who are naturally curious, eager to improve processes, and bring diverse perspectives.
Once selected, interns undergo a thorough onboarding process designed to integrate them fully into the Wills Group culture from day one. They receive a welcome box of locally sourced goodies, Wills Group branded items, and an overview of the company’s history and goals.
This ensures interns understand the company’s operations and feel connected to the Wills Group family of businesses (Dash In, Splash In ECO Car Wash, and SMO Motor Fuels). Our selection and onboarding process prepares interns for a productive and enriching experience, enabling them to contribute effectively from the start.
Mentorship, Professional Development, and Project Work
Mentorship and professional development are fundamental to the Wills Group’s Rising Talent internship program. Each intern is paired with a supervisor for daily support and a department mentor for broader career guidance. Supervisors meet weekly with interns, and mentors provide bi-weekly support to discuss career trajectories and offer feedback. Other Rising Talent support team members, including myself, also meet with the interns formally monthly to track progress and address any challenges.
The program offers extensive professional development opportunities, allowing interns to choose three to five members of the Executive Leadership Team to meet with based on their career interests. These interactions, along with job shadowing and LinkedIn and resume workshops, help bolster the interns’ professional brands, while providing current employees with opportunities to hone in on their leadership and management skills.
Project work is another key component, with departments outlining projects and tasks for interns on intake forms, which Talent Acquisition and our EVP of Talent and People Operations, Mark Oliver, vet. Project examples include:
- IT: Rolling out new hardware as part of an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solution.
- Real Estate & Development: Assessing current and potential vendors to optimize costs.
- Marketing: Updating the Dash In menu catalog and assisting with social media campaigns.
- Category Management: Streamlining existing processes as the team transitions to a new system.
- Finance: Migrating data to a new ERP system.
These projects provide interns with hands-on experience that contributes directly to our goals, allowing them to see the results of their work and gain valuable insights. This practical experience, mentorship, and development opportunities equip them with the skills and confidence necessary for their future careers.
How We Measure the Internship Program’s Success
The success of the Rising Talent program is demonstrated through its substantial impact on our interns. We are thrilled to have welcomed back three interns this summer and to see one of our previous interns still with us supporting our Business Support team. This return rate reflects the program’s effectiveness in building a pipeline of talent that is well-prepared for permanent positions.
To assess the program’s impact, we focus on:
- Process Improvements: Departments evaluate how interns’ contributions have enhanced their operations.
- Goal Progression: We measure how intern projects advance our quarterly objectives and fiscal year goals.
- Intern and Employee Feedback: We collect feedback from interns and on their likelihood of recommending the Rising Talent program and their interest in pursuing full-time roles with us. We also ask for feedback from our employees about how working with the interns impacted their work and professional experience.
We consistently receive positive feedback, with all departments reporting significant improvements and achievements due to our interns’ efforts.
Interns emerge from the program with a solid understanding of business operations, enhanced technical skills, and an appreciation for a positive corporate culture. They are well-prepared to navigate the professional world with confidence.
Careers in Motion Start Here
The Wills Group’s Rising Talent internship program is a prime example of a successful internship program, providing a mutually beneficial experience for both the interns and the company as a whole. From hands-on experience, comprehensive mentorship, professional development, and a strong emphasis on company culture, the program prepares interns for future success while fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation at the Wills Group.
The program’s success is evident in the positive feedback from interns and hosting departments and the high rate of interns returning. We believe in investing in our future leaders. The relationships and experiences gained here leave a lasting impact.
