A Student Guide to Meaningful and Substantive Internships

A Google Doc of this Student Guide to Meaningful and Substantive Internships webpage is available for print or preferred study method.

An internship is an experiential learning opportunity: a real-world laboratory designed for discovery. Rather than viewing an opportunity simply as a stepping stone to a future job, consider the experience as an active research environment to test interests, practice skills, and evaluate organizational cultures. Use this guide to assess an opportunity and critically reflect on whether the role aligns with your individual goals, values, and learning needs.

1. Clear Structure & Dedicated Support

A strong internship provides a structured environment for professional development and learning. You should never be left to “figure it out alone” without guidance or feedback.

A Built-Out Position Description: An articulated document outlining your duties, the expectations of your role, responsibilities and deliverables.
A Working Schedule: Defined start and end dates, consistent work hours, a lunch break, and a schedule for remote/in-person work, if applicable.
Assigned Supervision: Clear identification of a direct supervisor responsible for your growth. The supervisor should be an established professional who understands your role, tasks you’re responsible for and can help connect you with the resources you need to successfully complete your internship.
Predictable Cadence: Weekly 1-on-1 check-ins built into the schedule to discuss your progress, workload, and questions.
Onboarding & Goals: A structured onboarding period that introduces you to the organization, team, tools, and expectations.

Questions to Ask:

“What does the onboarding process look like for an intern in this role?”
“How often would I meet 1-on-1 with my direct supervisor to receive feedback?”

2. Substantive Work & Skill Building

While every job includes some administrative tasks, your primary focus should be scopes of work that challenge you to apply and expand your abilities.

Ownership of Work: Responsibility for a specific deliverable, workflow, project or campaign that you can see through from start to finish.
Technical Skills Growth: Hands-on practice with industry-standard tools, software, research methods, or technical skills.
Durable, Human Skills Growth: Opportunities to practice problem-solving, collaboration, professional communication, and adaptability.
Deemphasis on Administrative Assistant Tasks: No more than 20% of your work should be purely in this area (ie, updating a mailing list, cleaning up a spreadsheet, answering phones for the office, etc).

Questions to Ask:

“What is a project or deliverable I could own by the end of the summer?”
“Which software, tools, or specific technical skills would I be using on a daily basis?”

3. Balanced Learning Dynamics

A quality experience balances hands-on execution with high-level learning and observation.

Learning by Doing: Direct involvement in core operational or creative work (not just coffee runs or endless filing).
Learning by Observing: Invitations to shadow senior leadership, attend client meetings, or observe strategy discussions.
Culture of Ongoing Learning: An environment that encourages curiosity, welcomes questions, and treats mistakes as natural learning moments.

Questions to Ask:

“Would there be opportunities for me to observe high-level meetings or shadow colleagues outside my immediate team?”
“How does the team handle questions when an intern encounters a roadblock?”

4. Organizational & Industry Exposure

Your work should connect to the bigger picture. You want to understand not just how to do a job, but why that job matters in the broader landscape.

The Host Site: Understanding how the organization operates, its organizational culture, and how decisions get made.
The Function: Direct insight into what full-time careers in this team look like day-to-day.
The Industry Ecosystem: Perspective on where the organization sits within its broader sector, including major trends and challenges.

Questions to Ask:

“How does this department’s work contribute to the broader mission of the organization?”
“How would you describe the team culture, and how do interns fit into that dynamic?”

5. Network Building & Connections

Internships are one of the best ways to build your professional network. A supportive employer encourages you to connect beyond your immediate team.

Informational Interviewing: Flexibility to schedule 15-to-30-minute chats with colleagues in different departments.
Cross-Functional Visibility: Working alongside individuals in different roles to understand how multi-disciplinary teams operate.

Questions to Ask:

“Are interns encouraged to conduct informational interviews with staff in other departments?”
“Are there any additional networking opportunities built into the summer intern program?”

6. Reflection & Tangible Outcomes

A meaningful internship helps you recognize your growth, giving you the clarity to speak about your strengths and thoughtfully guide your future paths.

Mid-Summer Review: A planned midpoint check-in to assess progress against your goals and make adjustments.
Portfolio / Capstone Deliverable: A tangible piece of work (e.g., slide deck, report, code base, design asset) you can showcase on your resume or portfolio.
Closing Exit Interview: A structured final conversation to reflect on your learning, discuss career fit, and secure professional references.

Questions to Ask:

“Is there an opportunity to present a final project or capstone summary to the team at the end of the summer?”
“How are mid-summer and final evaluations conducted?”

Before accepting or co-creating an opportunity, ask yourself:

Is this opportunity compensated fairly, or eligible for summer funding from Amherst?
Do I have a named supervisor and scheduled check-ins?
What are the specific aspects of work that I’ll own?
Will I learn skills (technical or interpersonal) that move me toward my goals?
Will I gain insight into an industry or career path I want to test?
Will I leave with a tangible story, portfolio piece, or resume item?