Managing an intern program is one of the most exciting — and sometimes overwhelming — roles a leader can have. Interns bring fresh energy, but they also bring a lot of questions. And that’s a good thing! A curious intern is an engaged intern.
Whether you're preparing for orientation or building your intern resource hub, here are 30 questions you should be ready (and excited) to answer:
📚 General Program Questions
- What are the official start and end dates of the internship?
- How many hours am I expected to work each week?
- Is my schedule flexible if I have school or personal commitments?
- Is this internship paid? How and when will I get paid?
- Can I work remotely or hybrid if needed?
👩💻 Work Expectations
- What does a typical day or week look like?
- Who assigns my tasks and projects?
- What should I do if I finish my work early?
- How are priorities set if I get multiple assignments?
- Will I be evaluated or graded on my performance?
🧑🤝🧑 Team and Mentorship
- Who is my direct supervisor or mentor?
- How often will I meet with my mentor/manager?
- Can I ask to work with other teams if I’m interested?
- What should I do if I’m feeling stuck or overwhelmed?
- How can I give feedback about my internship experience?
🎯 Career Development
- Are there training sessions, workshops, or networking events available?
- Will I have a chance to shadow other departments?
- How can I set goals for my personal and professional growth?
- Can I ask for a letter of recommendation after my internship?
- Is there a path to full-time employment after the internship?
🎉 Culture and Community
- Are interns included in team meetings, events, and celebrations?
- What are the company values or norms I should know about?
- How can I get involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives?
- Is there a buddy system or intern community?
- How do we celebrate milestones, birthdays, or big wins?
🛠️ Logistics and Support
- Who do I contact if I have IT issues (laptop, email access, software)?
- How do I request time off for emergencies, illness, or travel?
- What should I wear to work (dress code)?
- What internal tools (Slack, Zoom, Notion, etc.) should I learn?
- Where can I find important links, schedules, and FAQs during the internship?
Final Thought:
Great program managers aren’t just good at answering questions — they're proactive about anticipating them. The more clarity and support you offer upfront, the more confident and connected your interns will feel. 🌟 In fact, consider turning these FAQs into a welcome guide, a Notion page, or even a mini intern survival kit. Your future interns (and your future self) will thank you!
