Your company will benefit from an internship program if it’s a priority for your business, structured, and provides students with the supervision they need to be successful. By also providing adequate training before the program begins or hosting an intern orientation, you’ll see even better results. The more resources your company is willing to put toward the internship program, the better it will be. The better the internship program, the more competitive it will be. And the more competitive the program, the stronger the applicant pool.

Drawing perspective from anyone outside of your industry, team, or day-to-day operations often courts surprising inspiration. Properly-executed internship programs are no exception. Bringing in students who don’t see your company from the inside every day opens up an opportunity for fresh perspectives on your business, strategies, and plans. To maximize these potential benefits, make sure to include interns in brainstorming sessions and encourage them to speak up in meetings. Attending brainstorms is often a favorite among interns, so it’s a win-win for both parties.