OSU Wexner Medical Center’s Internship Program Helps Students Thrive as They Start Their Careers

Since the creation of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Buckeye Pathways Summer Internship program five years ago, career readiness has been a central priority.

“It’s one thing to offer students exposure to a real-world environment—and we want to ensure they are truly equipped with the tools to thrive as they begin their careers,” explains Tracey Boggs, the medical center’s leadership and organizational effectiveness consultant.

“That meant going beyond the technical skills to focus on the written and unwritten rules of the workplace: how to communicate effectively, present ideas with confidence, collaborate across teams, and navigate professional norms.”

In addition to working on projects, the Buckeye Pathways Summer interns participate in structured weekly learning sessions covering topics such as:

• Effective communication;
• Presentation skills;
• Leadership assessments;
• Networking strategies;
• Interviewing; and
• Resume development.

But, as Boggs adds, career readiness doesn’t stop at the sessions.

“Interns also see these competencies modeled throughout their experience,” she says.

“They’re invited to leadership meetings, attend lunch-and-learns with executives, and engage in meaningful dialogue with mentors. To culminate their experience, interns deliver a final presentation in front of their peers and invited leaders, putting their communication and presentation skills into practice.”

In addition, Buckeye Pathways Summer interns bolster their skills by collaborating on a community service project, reinforcing teamwork and a commitment to equity.

“When I look at the NACE career readiness competencies, I see them woven throughout every aspect of our program,” Boggs says.

She identifies some of the elements of an internship program that intentionally and successfully prepares its interns for the workforce, including:

• Structured career readiness sessions—These cover topics like workplace communication, presentation skills, time management, and networking.
• Mentorship and Exposure to modeled behaviors—Interns learn by observing how seasoned professionals lead, collaborate, and navigate challenges.
• Peer support and community—Creating space for interns to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another builds confidence and belonging. 

On the other hand, there are missteps employers may make when developing or retooling an internship program focused on intern career readiness. For instance, Boggs advises against making assumptions about what students already know.

“If an employer has been removed from that stage of life, it’s easy to project our own experiences or assume certain skills are universal. But not everyone has had exposure to corporate environments or access to people who could mentor them on workplace expectations,” she says.

“Times change and educational experiences and workplace expectations vary, which is why it’s important to stay attuned to what today’s interns have been taught, what they’ve seen modeled, and where they may need support.”

To streamline efforts, Boggs encourages others to leverage NACE resources.

“Once I became acquainted with NACE and their career readiness resources, I recognized a strong alignment with the structure and goals we had already built into our internship program,” she notes.

“That was affirming, and now I continue to use NACE’s guidance to stay current with industry best practices and ensure our program remains responsive to the needs of today’s interns and employers.”

Boggs offers several other recommendations for developing career-ready interns:

• Engage hiring managers—Ask what skills they value most in early career talent and where they see gaps. These insights vary by industry and role, so it’s important to stay connected to those on the ground.
• Tailor learning to your organization’s needs—Assess the skillsets important to your organization, industry, and align that with the NACE career ready competencies to identify a curriculum.
• Design with empathy and flexibility—Recognize that interns come from diverse backgrounds and may need different kinds of support. Build in room for growth, feedback, and course correction.

“One thing we emphasize with our interns is that this is the place to learn and fail safely. That mindset is essential,” Boggs adds.

“We’ve had moments of course correction, tough conversations, and unexpected challenges, and we’re honest with our interns about how those situations might play out differently in a future workplace.”

Once they enter their full-time career, they might not receive direct feedback that they have made a mistake and may affect their reputation or lead to more serious consequences.

“That’s why we believe in creating an environment where learning is supported, not penalized,” Boggs stresses.

“Everyone brings a unique story, shaped by their background and experiences. When we take time to understand those stories and offer support, we create an environment where interns feel seen, valued, and empowered to grow. That’s the kind of foundation that prepares them for a fulfilling career.”

Tracey Boggs will be a presenter during NACE’s 2025 Competency Symposium