WV Internship Program

Internship Solutions for Your Workforce 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 Get Started

An internship is an arrangement where an employer offers paid, supervised professional learning experience tailored to business needs. This can take place any time throughout the year and can vary in duration and format (on-site, hybrid, or virtual). Examples: Summer 10 weeks, Fall micro-internship, 

It’s all about creating a quality learning opportunity for both the business and the intern.

As you consider hosting an intern, take a moment to reflect on your business needs and the qualities of an ideal candidate. The following prompts will help you prepare for a discovery meeting by identifying your goals, project needs, and your ideal candidate—ensuring a valuable experience for both your organization and your intern. 

Business Needs and Expectations

• What are your primary goals for hosting your intern?
• Examples: Talent pipeline development, project support, community engagement, branding/outreach, potential full-time hiring, etc.
• What types of departments/majors do you need for your internship?
• Examples: Accounting, Cybersecurity, Engineering, Finance, Hospitality and Tourism, Human Resources, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, Real Estate, Sales, Supply Chain, etc.
• What job title(s) and how many positions do you plan to hire?
• What length of duration do you plan to host for your intern position?
• Examples: summer 2025 – 8-10 weeks, short-term micro-internships, etc. 
• What employment type and work schedule are best for your business?
• Examples: full-time, part-time, 15-20 hours/week; on-site, hybrid, or remote
• Who will supervise the intern? 

Ideal Candidate Profile

• What level of student do you need?
• Examples: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Master, Alumni, etc.
• What qualities or attributes does your intern need to be successful at your organization?
• Examples: adaptability, attention to detail, proactive attitude, team player, eagerness to learn, etc.
• What skills and qualifications are you looking for in an ideal intern candidate for this position?
• Examples: specific technical skills, knowledge of software/programs, etc.
• What are your expectations of the student during your internship?
• Examples: involvement in team meetings, contribution to strategic projects, mentorship from senior staff, high level of autonomy, etc.
• Are there any challenges you foresee in managing your intern?
• Examples: supervision, remote work, specific training requirements, etc. 
• What types of meaningful work do you anticipate assigning to your intern? 
• Examples: 
• Social Media and Content Marketing Intern: Assist in content creation for various marketing channels.
• Marketing Research Intern: Gather qualitative and quantitative insights about user experiences with a product or service based on customer needs, pain points, and preferences. 
• Operations Intern: Analyze and optimize inventory levels. 
• Event Planning Intern: Assist in event planning and execution.
• Guest Services Intern: Analyze customer satisfaction data and propose improvements.
• Accounting Intern: Assist in preparing tax returns.
• Financial Analyst Intern: Develop or improve the financial reporting process. 
• Human Resources Intern: Assist in recruiting and onboarding processes.
• Customer Relations Intern: Help organize and analyze customer feedback.
• Business Development Intern: Conduct a SWOT analysis for different departments. 
• Sales Intern: Research and identify potential leads and develop targeted outreach strategies.
• Procurement Intern: Research potential suppliers to evaluate their offerings.