Innovative internship programs are the number one concern for students interested in gaining experience in their desired fields. You can integrate a great internship program into your company, but you need to learn the basis of how to succeed with the first intern. Here are four ways to succeed with the first intern in companies of all sizes, though primarily in small or mid-sized businesses.

• Create an intern responsibility sheet for the intern to abide.
  Interns need to have something to do during their stay with your company. The responsibility sheet should include administrative duties, duties pertaining to their major or expected work, and one project in which the student can handle independently. In order for your company’s first intern to achieve success, they need to have the necessary tools to perform delegated tasks.
• Provide necessary tools for performing tasks.
  Interns need the necessary tools to complete tasks effectively and sufficiently. The responsibility sheet is your starting point in delegating work to your intern. An intern is just like an employee; employees are given tools, information, and responsibilities to handle on a daily basis. Make sure all information is accurate so there is no miscommunication between your staff and the intern. Include the intern in staff meetings so they are up-to-speed with company progress and projects.
• Offer leadership opportunities in which the intern actively participates in meetings.
  The independent projects should not be high-priority projects that require exclusive, expert management skills. The interns are not equipped to handle these kinds of projects until they have the appropriate experience in their field. Check for updates from the intern without hindering their progress, but make sure it is a project only for your company. Do not give an intern real projects unless you have absolute faith in their abilities to complete the projects on time and within budget. Your company is liable for any misconstrued information or developments made by employees/interns.
• Ask your intern for feedback pertaining to your program’s effectiveness.
  Speak with the intern about their experience with your company. Direct feedback can help you incorporate more into the program. Listen to your intern's concerns regarding staff treatment, company products/services, project management, and other vital details. Offer opportunities to enhance their career by providing references, results from their efforts, and other concrete data to add to their portfolios.

Your intern needs some kind of confirmation that he/she:
A. Did a great job
B. Is worthy of employment in their field
C. Made an impact on your company


Students who are the first of their kind in any company consider it an accomplishment. The reference provided by your company is considered an accomplishment in future employers' eyes. A reference is important as long as it is honest. Some companies make the mistake of offering good references for bad performance, but your internship program may not work if you do not evaluate each participate thoroughly and accurately.

Steven Rothberg is the President and Founder of CollegeRecruiter.com, the leading job board for college students searching for internships and recent graduates hunting for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.