How is an internship program developed?

Whether you're looking to develop an internship program or enhance the one you've already got, the Internship Institute suggests the following three key steps:

1. Define internal needs and wants. Companies should develop a job description based on defined needs such as projects involving research, writing, planning and online/telephone outreach.

2. Ask those in the know. Contact, for example, the career services departments of area higher education institutions well ahead of the summer internship season to establish relationships and how to best recruit the right candidates based on defined needs.

3. Prepare internally. Intership programs don't run themselves, so advance preparation is key.