Why Internships Matter for Organizations

National Intern Day, celebrated at the end of July, is the perfect reminder for organizations to reflect on the value that internships bring, not just for students stepping into the professional world, but for the companies and nonprofits that welcome them in. A well-designed internship program helps students build real-world skills, grow their networks, and explore career paths, while giving organizations fresh energy, new ideas, and a pipeline of future talent. Whether you already host interns or you’re thinking about starting a program, now’s the time to understand the benefits, know the legal essentials, and celebrate the impact interns make every day.

Cultivating Future Talent

Interns inject fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. Hiring interns is a two-way street—organizations get enthusiastic helpers, and students gain real-world exposure. Many companies view internships as an organic talent pipeline—low-risk ways to recruit pre-vetted candidates.

Immediate Project Support

Interns can undertake special projects that existing staff may not have bandwidth for—ranging from research, social media support, or internal auditing.

Mutual Learning & Mentorship

Having interns encourages staff to refine processes, share knowledge, and improve feedback skills—a benefit emphasized by multiple industry leaders.

Legal & Compliance Best Practices

Internship programs—especially unpaid ones—must comply with labor laws. Here’s what organizations need to know:

Under Federal Law (FLSA)

The U.S. Department of Labor’s primary-beneficiary test determines whether an intern is an “employee.” If yes, minimum wage and overtime are mandatory. For unpaid interns, all seven DOL criteria must be met:

• Clear agreement on no expectation of pay.
• Structured similar to training in an educational setting.
• Primarily benefits the intern’s education.
• Does not displace regular employees.
• Under close supervision.
• Limits duration to educational goals.
• No guarantee of a job post-internship.

State Law Nuances

Some states (like New York and Maryland) enforce stricter protections, especially around unpaid internships and learners’ rights. Organizations should review relevant state and local labor laws and seek legal guidance.

Best Practices for Organizations

Define Clear Objectives

Is the role educational or operational? Be explicit.

Formalize Learning Structure

Use mentorship, scheduled check-ins, skills workshops.

Compensate Where Feasible

Paid internships increase access and attract diverse talent 

Handle Unpaid Roles with Care

If unpaid, ensure all FLSA criteria are met and documented.

Communicate Transparent Expectations

Clarify duties, hours, duration, compensation (or lack thereof), and deliverables.

Seek Professional Advice

Consult an employment attorney to ensure compliance.

Intern Voices: What They Gain

Below are some questions and answers we asked our current marketing department intern, Ava, to fill out to give an insight in to her internship and how she has benefitted:

What project did you work on?

I have been assigned many different types of projects during my time as an intern, but to list a couple of the company projects I have helped assist the marketing team on has been Peachjar’s AIDA release, NSPRA and Earth Day landing pages, social media posts, as well as videos and content editing and creating.

What new skill or tool did you learn?

I have learned how to navigate several online resources such as a Canva, Monday, Hubspot, etc. I have also learned more about how important team collaboration is to achieve our marketing goals.

How did working with mentors impact you?

I feel extremely blessed to have such motivating and helpful mentors throughout my internship. My mentors have helped me by giving me feedback, encouragement, and guidance on moments where I have been confused, and always have given me support so that I can grow my skillset.

Did the internship change your career direction?

I have always had a strong interest in marketing, and this internship has definitely solidified my goal to pursue a career in this. Getting to work on real projects with such a supportive team helped me discover what I really enjoy, being creative, telling stories through content, and using marketing to make a meaningful difference.

What advice would you give future interns?

My advice would be to stay curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions, as an intern you’re here to learn. I also would say to speak up and share your ideas, even if you’re just starting out.