Five ways to keep your interns engaged ahead of summer

Drawing on a decade of experience with leading financial institutions, we reveal five strategic approaches to engaging and preparing your interns in the lead up to your summer internship programme. From wellbeing initiatives and upskilling through innovative training to quashing imposter syndrome - we've got you covered.

Jan 24 / Rachel Aspinall

Congratulations, you have attracted, assessed, and narrowed down the young talent for this year’s summer internship cohort, and it’s time to sit back until summer arrives, and the onboarding begins.

Or is it? In a word, no.

At best, there will be teething issues, with some candidates struggling to hit the ground running, lacking confidence and compromising their own performance.

At worst, at least one will be poached by the competition. During this period it is not just crucial to prepare your interns, but keep them engaged, supported and with your institution top of mind.

The good news is that since 2009, we’ve partnered with an array of financial institutions to tackle these challenges whilst simultaneously helping to prepare thousands of students for their own internship programmes.

We bring you our five top must-dos to build an inclusive environment, prepare your interns and stop their heads from being turned.

Congratulations, you have attracted, assessed, and narrowed down the young talent for this year’s summer internship cohort, and it’s time to sit back until summer arrives, and the onboarding begins.

Or is it? In a word, no.

At best, there will be teething issues, with some candidates struggling to hit the ground running, lacking confidence and compromising their own performance.

At worst, at least one will be poached by the competition. During this period it is not just crucial to prepare your interns, but keep them engaged, supported and with your institution top of mind. The good news is that since 2009, we’ve partnered with an array of financial institutions to tackle these challenges whilst simultaneously helping to prepare thousands of students for their own internship programmes.

We bring you our five top must-dos to build an inclusive environment, prepare your interns and stop their heads from being turned.

Are you reaching out to check on your interns' well-being regularly? If not, you should be, and we recommend you do this monthly in the lead-up to the programme either by email or through
Student Ambassador Programmes (more on them later).

As many of your candidates will be moving to a new country, and some could even be leaving home for the first time, it’s crucial to make them feel supported.

A little can go a long way, and this can take the form of a check-in email with some advice on their new city, a recommended reading list, and even budgeting advice.

Are you reaching out to check on your interns' well-being regularly? If not, you should be, and we recommend you do this monthly in the lead-up to the programme either by email or through Student Ambassador Programmes (more on them later).

As many of your candidates will be moving to a new country, and some could even be leaving home for the first time, it’s crucial to make them feel supported.

A little can go a long way, and this can take the form of a check-in email with some advice on their new city, a recommended reading list, and even budgeting advice.

AmplifyME’s clients have had great success with a strategically planned programme of engaging, educational activities that will not just improve their technical, professional and commercial acumen but also increase the chances of converting their internship into a full time offer.

Role-specific, assessed simulations or games engage students at the highest level, allowing them to learn and have fun whilst simultaneously, your team can track their performance data and progress. This will help with role allocation, and identify any possible interventions needed to provide further training and support - i.e. AmplifyME’s banking and global markets simulations.
Access to on-demand courses, learning tools and quizzes - this allows them to dip in and out to avoid getting overwhelmed
Recommended reading lists - get inspiration from your previous graduate cohort to see what helped them to prepare for the desk that they also found enjoyable.

Role-specific, assessed simulations or games engage students at the highest level, allowing them to learn and have fun whilst simultaneously, your team can track their performance data and progress. This will help with role allocation, and identify any possible interventions needed to provide further training and support - i.e. AmplifyME’s banking and global markets simulations.
Access to on-demand courses, learning tools and quizzes - this allows them to dip in and out to avoid getting overwhelmed.
Recommended reading lists - get inspiration from your previous graduate cohort to see what helped them to prepare for the desk that they also found enjoyable.

We want to find belonging and community when we start a new job, and for many employees from underrepresented backgrounds, finding colleagues similar to them is often a challenge.

Additionally, for many, it will be their first time in a professional environment, and it may feel daunting, especially considering the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and degree subjects.

By partnering each of them up with a buddy or mentor from a previous cohort, not only are you providing a friendly face to guide them down a well-trodden path, but you’re helping your candidate form a bond with your institution through a relatable figure.

We want to find belonging and community when we start a new job, and for many employees from underrepresented backgrounds, finding colleagues similar to them is often a challenge. Additionally, for many, it will be their first time in a professional environment, and it may feel daunting, especially considering the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and degree subjects.

By partnering each of them up with a buddy or mentor from a previous cohort, not only are you providing a friendly face to guide them down a well-trodden path, but you’re helping your candidate form a bond with your institution through a relatable figure.

This one takes some organising but is very effective at not just promoting your brand reach at university campuses but also engaging your interns in the lead-up to the summer.

A Student Ambassador Programme (SAP Programme) is a volunteer program that bridges the gap between University Students and the Early Talent Acquisition Team and hypes up your brand to their fellow students.

By offering your interns a Student Ambassador role at their university, they should act as an extension of your team, tasked with the responsibility to communicate, organise, promote, and participate in exciting events and activities taking place on campus to inspire their peers to explore your brand and the opportunities available to them.

This one takes some organising but is very effective at not just promoting your brand reach at university campuses but also engaging your interns in the lead-up to the summer.

Inviting your candidates to your departmental or Employee Resource Group (ERG) virtual events and activities is a great way to make them feel connected, meet their fellow interns and have some fun, giving them more reason to stay with your institution. ERG’s are voluntary, employee-led groups which aim to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with your organisation.

They're usually led and participated in by employees who share a characteristic, whether it's gender, ethnicity, religious affiliation, lifestyle, or interest.