Internship Playbook
We’re excited to connect you with talented WVU students to provide them with valuable real-world experience while benefiting from their fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, enthusiasm, and creativity to enhance your team’s productivity and engagement.
Whether you can foster a pipeline of future talent or simply help prepare students to be ready to contribute to our state’s economy, we thank you for considering investing in our workforce of tomorrow while enriching your workplace today – let’s embark on this rewarding journey together!
Below, you’ll find some helpful information about internships and key questions to consider when developing an effective internship program within your organization.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for downloadable resources to get started!
Internship Program Overview
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!
Benefits to WV Employers
- Increase productivity by allowing talented students to take on tasks and projects, allowing full-time employees to focus on more complex work
- Identify and nurture future employees while they provide fresh ideas and perspectives to the team
- Gain positive brand exposure to enhance your organization’s reputation while demonstrating a commitment to community engagement and workforce development
Benefits to WVU Students
- Apply what is learned in the classroom in real work situations
- Gain new knowledge and skills by doing tasks and working on projects
- Explore various industries and career paths
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.