Join/Renew
Keeping interns engaged when they return to school starts with establishing strong connections during the summer that endure throughout the academic year.
“Interns want to feel that their time with us mattered and that the relationships they built will last beyond the summer,” says John DeRosa, Salas O’Brien’s AVP, director HR integration and programs.
QUICK, EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO STAY TOP OF MIND
There are many strategies employers can use to maintain—and even strengthen—ties with their interns when they return to campus and throughout the academic year. Learn some quick and efficient strategies to grow these important connections on NACEWeb.“Many look for continued encouragement and career guidance, whether through staying connected on platforms like Handshake and LinkedIn, exchanging professional advice, or conducting informal check-ins.”
Salas O’Brien clears common hurdles that trip up some employers, such as being passive and assuming students will remember their internship experience without ongoing connection.
“Another [obstacle] is providing only surface-level experiences during the internship itself. Interns value hands-on project work, exposure to different parts of the business, and opportunities to collaborate with peers,” DeRosa points out.
“Without that foundation, it’s hard to maintain engagement once they’re back at school.
It’s also important to listen to each group of interns. Each one has different expectations, and staying responsive helps keep programs relevant.”
While DeRosa acknowledges that every student is different, he and his team have identified a consistent theme: Interns appreciate employers that keep the door open for future opportunities, such as another internship, a co-op, or a full-time role after graduation.
Salas O’Brien acts upon this observation as many of its interns return for second or even third internships, and about one in four ultimately join the organization in a full-time role.
Salas O’Brien’s internship program is designed to be more than project work. For example, it includes Learn & Connect sessions, during which interns interact directly with senior leaders and technical experts across the company. These sessions blend professional career tips, such as networking and resume building, with industry insights and topics related to various aspects of the built environment.
“This combination gives interns immediate takeaways for their growth and a deeper understanding of our industry, which helps sustain their interest and engagement even after the internship ends. These experiences also create meaningful bonds that interns want to continue,” DeRosa says.
“Even after their internships end, we keep in touch with our interns, reinforcing our commitment to meaningful connections and the importance of lasting professional relationships.”
Salas O’Brien has found success by integrating career and technical development into the internship experience, so the connection feels valuable long after students return to campus.
“Ultimately, maintaining strong ties starts with investing in interns from day one. Give them real work, connect them with people who care about their growth, and show them how they can thrive with your organization,” DeRosa says.
“If you’ve made a positive, authentic impression, those relationships often carry forward naturally, sometimes into future internships and often into full-time careers.”
