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A whopping 70% of today's companies expect to maintain or even increase intern hiring in the coming years. Many business leaders recognize the value of an internship opportunity in identifying early talent, helping the next generation acquire relevant skills, and reducing overall hiring costs.
Though it usually isn't paid, getting a dream internship marks the first meaningful venture into the professional world for many. It's crucial to help interns gain relevant experience for their resumes by providing easy access to the resources they need to thrive.
Are you unsure where to start? Here's your guide for building a robust one-stop shop for intern schedules, contacts, FAQs, and more. With a little help from modern technology, you can create something that will maximize this valuable experience.
Toolkit: How to set it up
The first step in delivering critical resources is to choose a format. Depending on how dynamic you want it to be, you have a number of options to build your internship program hub, including:
- Google site
- Notion page
- Internal wiki
- PDF document
The best choice will depend on a number of factors, including your current technology, budget, and workflow. For example, if your company already has a Google Workspace account, a Google site may be the obvious choice. No matter your chosen tool, there are three key principles you'll want to keep in mind.
Simplicity
Keep the navigation simple. Ensure there are no more than three clicks required to get to any page, feature, or document.
Tone
Keep your website content casual yet professional. This allows you to make a personal connection with first-time workers without sacrificing your respectful and positive company culture.
Intuitive design
We live in a world driven by sight and sound. Make your site visually intuitive by using icons, timelines, and expandable FAQs.
Template
When it comes to building a hub for your internship, templates can help you get started quickly. From their initial cover letter to their final day, this will help you highlight the incredible opportunity your interns have in front of them and prepare them to take advantage of it.
Homepage
Your homepage is the first thing your interns (or intern hopefuls) will see. If you have an external page, make your internship application and expected qualifications are front and center so that students with a strong interest in your company can see whether they're a good fit and apply for an open job.
If it's for internal eyes only, you can provide links to additional information. No matter who has access to your hub, make sure your messaging is warm and encouraging and gets them excited for what's next.
Welcome to [Company Name]'s Intern Resource Hub!
Your go-to place for everything you need during your time here. Bookmark it! 🌟
🔗 Quick Links:
- Daily & Weekly Schedule
- Contact Directory
- Internship Goals
- Company 101
- FAQs
This page will be one your interns come back to time and again, so make sure it contains everything they need to integrate with the team and culture.
🗓️ Daily/weekly schedule
Because they are likely looking to build a future in the industry or hold a similar position once they're out of school, your interns will be highly interested in what their days will be like. A schedule will help properly align their expectations and give them a sense of organization and focus.
Though schedule details may be different depending on the role, offering a sample will help interns begin to plan ahead. This knowledge is especially important if they will be juggling work with a normal load of courses.
☎️ Key people directory: Contacts
Sixty-five percent of new hires say that not having a clear contact for questions is one of their biggest onboarding frustrations. Offering a directory ensures your interns get timely answers and assistance.
Having this resource reminds your interns that they are surrounded by a supportive team that is invested in their success.
🎯 Our goals for you
Knowing and articulating what your internship experience offers applicants is a key part of ensuring they flourish. Use this space to tell interns what you hope they'll accomplish during their short tenure with the company:
- Gain real-world, hands-on experience
- Build your professional network
- Learn about career paths in [industry]
- Strengthen your communication, teamwork, and leadership skills
- Have fun and explore!
If performance reviews are a part of your program, you can point interns back to this list of goals to help them evaluate whether they have been successful.
🏢 Company basics
This section should provide insights into what your business does and discuss the values you expect interns to demonstrate while in their role.
- Our Mission: [Insert short mission]
- Our Values: [List top 3–5 values]
- How We Work: [Remote? Hybrid? In-office rituals?]
- Important Tools We Use: (Slack, Asana, etc.)
Having this information on hand will ensure your interns can start contributing to the team and culture from day one.
💬 Frequently asked questions
Anticipating questions or misconceptions can save everyone time. Make note of your interns' most common questions and offer clear answers to ensure they can get going quickly.
Q: Who should I reach out to if I have a personal emergency?
A: Your manager and the HR contact listed above.
Q: What do I do if I finish a project early?
A: Check in with your manager — there are often stretch projects available!
Q: Can I participate in company events?
A: Absolutely! We encourage interns to join social activities and team events.
Update this list whenever you get a new question that you may not have thought of on your own.
📘 Intern playbook: toolkit + template
While your resource hub is mainly focused on offering basic information and tools, your intern playbook is more of a reference for your company culture. It provides key advice and serves as a visual guide to help interns understand your values, rituals, and program goals.
Toolkit: How to set it up
Before you develop your intern playbook, think about what format you will use to provide this vital guidance. Because your playbook will likely have less content than your resource hub (think: 10-15 pages max), you may consider using a PDF file or a slide deck. Though short, you should ensure you incorporate several crucial elements in its development.
Visual storytelling
Fill your playbook with interesting icons and infographics to capture attention. Consider including photos of past interns hard at work developing their craft.
Bite-sized information
Try to avoid long paragraphs and big walls of text. This ensures you can hold their interest throughout the document.
Empowering tone
Ensure interns know they're an important part of the company, not an unpaid "junior" or "temporary" employee. Your tone can make them want to tell other applicants about how great you made them feel.
Template
Cover page
This is the first thing they'll see. Make sure it's inviting, and consider choosing a bright background color that conveys warmth and excitement.
🎉 Welcome to [Company Name]'s Intern Adventure!
(Image of happy team, celebration, interns at work, etc.)
Page 1: Our mission
Keep your mission statement succinct to make it more memorable.
"At [Company], we're on a mission to [insert inspiring mission statement].
You're a part of that story this summer."
Page 2: Our values
Remind your interns why they'll love working for your company and how they can contribute to success.
💬 Collaboration
💡 Innovation
🤝 Inclusion
🌱 Growth
You'll see these in action every day!
Page 3: Our rituals
Show your interns how you have fun, build camaraderie, and ensure productivity.
🔔 Morning Huddles
Quick team check-ins to start the day.
🎉 Demo Days
Share what you're proud of building or learning.
☕ Coffee Chats
Meet someone new every week! We'll even help you schedule them.
🎈 Intern Celebrations
Mid-point and final celebration events.
Page 4: Your internship journey map
Interns may be nervous about the road ahead. Ease their minds by showing them what to expect.
(Insert a simple flow chart or roadmap)
- Week 1: Orientation, meet your team
- Weeks 2–5: Project work, mentor check-ins
- Week 6: Midpoint feedback & reflection
- Week 7–10: Project showcase + final celebration
This may also be a great opportunity for an infographic.
Page 5: Our promise to you
Tell your interns what they can expect from you and your team during their time in the program.
👥 A supportive manager and mentor
📚 Hands-on learning opportunities
🛠️ Tools and skills to jumpstart your career
❤️ A place where you are valued and heard
This helps them anticipate all that lies ahead for them.
Page 6: Your turn!
Give interns an opportunity to express their excitement and share what they would like to accomplish.
Set 1–2 personal goals for your internship.
Write them down. Share them with your mentor.
Example:
"I want to improve my public speaking skills."
"I want to learn more about UX Design."
Page 7: Where to get help
Remind them about the support you offer and where they can find it.
(Repeat essential contact list + link to the Resource Hub)
Final page: Welcome to the team!
Let interns know how much you're looking forward to working with them.
"We can't wait to see what you'll achieve. Let's make it a summer to remember!" 🌟
🎁 Bonus: Pro tips to make it even better
Here are a few ways you can enliven your resource hub and playbook:
- Add intern testimonials from past years ("I felt like part of the team from day one!" — 2024 intern)
- Include a "First Week Checklist" (e.g., Set up your laptop, schedule first 1:1s, join team Slack)
- Use fun visuals (custom Bitmojis, doodles, emojis) to make it feel less corporate
- Include a Spotify playlist of "Intern Summer Vibes" if you want to make it even more fun 🎶
Above all, take every opportunity to let your interns know how much you value them and that you're excited for their future growth. By providing positive communication and lots of support, you can ensure greater success for your interns and the program.
