Description:

In March of 2020, Cree|Wolfspeed had almost completed all preparation for the internship program that coming summer. Little did we know, COVID-19 was about to turn everything upside down. Immediately, the university relations team pivoted to address intern concerns in an empathetic way, and in six-weeks, adjusted to create Cree|Wolfspeed's first-ever virtual internship program. The university relations team lobbied for intern manager and leadership support, developed creative solutions for intern projects, and teamed up with the IT and facilities departments to deploy more than 120 laptops across the country while implementing plans for social distancing onsite. All the while, the team personally called each intern to provide an update and offer reassurance during a tumultuous time for students everywhere. Overall, the work that evolved during the six-week turnaround showcased a new type of skillset needed in university relations: one that requires a flexible approach, strong project management, elevated partnerships, and a tremendous dedication to the mission of our internship program. Without the effective teamwork and communication we enacted, the quick change would have failed. With our presentation we aim to illustrate how during a pandemic, corporate internship programs need to turn toward their empathy. Strong bonds can last through stressful times, and these bonds are built with trust, communication, and accountability. Returning to our humanity in a results-driven environment gave us the ability to partner with key contributors across the business, and remain an employer of choice for interns who were planning their next steps to pursue their futures in spite of COVID-19.

Audience:

University Relations & Recruiting

Level:

Intermediate

Track:

Sourcing, Recruiting & Talent Acquisition

Type:

Traditional

Main Speaker:

Jill Craven, Cree|Wolfspeed

Additional Speakers:

Tamara Pearce, Cree|Wolfspeed