Building Talent Pipelines Between Students and Careers in WV
WV Internship Program
Customized Support for Your Internship Program Needs
The WV Internship Program offers complimentary comprehensive consultative services tailored to meet diverse organizational needs. The Program Director engages with businesses virtually or in person, facilitating discovery meetings and providing support throughout the internship lifecycle. Whether refining existing programs through strategic campus recruitment, enhancing internship structures, or building new programs with our Internship Playbook, we will ensure businesses maximize their internships' impact while nurturing future talent in West Virginia. The Internship Playbook includes resources such as a planning checklist, sample position descriptions, an interviewing guide with offer and rejection letter templates, an onboarding guide and checklist, management tips for supervisors including engagement strategies, and program evaluations.How to Recruit at WVU
The Chambers College Center for Career Development (CCD) provides employers with
innovative recruitment strategies and campus branding opportunities to
fill talent pipelines across any industry.
These recruitment strategies can help employers effectively attract and
recruit talented interns as they build a strong internship program.
Online Job Boards and Platforms
- WVU-Specific Platform: Create an employer profile in Handshake for WVU student internships.
- WVU utilizes Handshake, the leading early talent platform official partner of 700+ colleges and universities. Employers can post internship and career opportunities for all majors, schedule interviews, search student resumes, and register for career fairs and events.
- Company Website: Ensure your careers page is updated with detailed internship descriptions and application instructions.
Campus Collaborations
- Partner with the Center for Career Development to promote your internships reaching out to specific departments or programs within universities that align with your internship needs (e.g., marketing, engineering).
- Build Relationships with Faculty: Connect with professors who can recommend students for internships based on their skills and interests.
Social Media Engagement
- Utilize LinkedIn: Share internship opportunities on your company’s LinkedIn page and consider using LinkedIn Ads to reach a broader audience.
- Create Engaging Content: Share posts about your company culture, current interns’ experiences, and success stories to attract potential candidates.
Campus Partnerships
- Career Fairs: Attend university career fairs to connect directly with students. Set up a booth to showcase your company and the internship program.
- Class Presentations: Offer to give presentations in relevant classes to introduce your company and the internship opportunities available.
- Guest Lectures: Target your outreach to student organizations by offering to speak on topics relevant to your industry, building your organization’s visibility among students.
Networking Events and Workshops
- Host Informational Sessions: Organize events where students can learn about the internship program, ask questions, and network with employees.
- Participate in Panel Discussions: Engage in panels at universities discussing industry trends, allowing students to learn about your organization and available internships.
Employee Referrals
- Referral Programs: Encourage current employees to refer qualified candidates. Consider offering incentives for successful referrals.
- Intern Alumni Network: Leverage former interns to spread the word about opportunities, as they can provide authentic insights about the program.
Feedback and Iteration
- Post-Internship Surveys: Gather feedback from previous interns on their experience and use it to refine your recruitment process and program offerings.
- Continuous Improvement: Regularly review and adjust your recruitment strategies based on the effectiveness of different channels and candidate feedback.