Host Company

• Research the viability of a new program, campaign, or initiative; compile and present statistics.
• Complete a backburner project that has been bogging down permanent staff.
• Create a proposal on a potential social media strategy, evaluate various social media platforms, or come up with suggestions for how your current social media strategy might be improved.
• Critique your company’s website…from a user perspective; brainstorm ideas for boosting usability.
• Propose solutions for a mid-level problem that no one has had time to address.
• Research and identify the most influential blogs in your industry. Follow them and provide weekly reports.
• Scan industry media for news items; provide regularly scheduled updates.
• Accompany employees to client, sales, or other outside meetings; have them take an observer role, but ask for their input and ideas (and answer any questions) after you’ve left.
• Evaluate some area of IT functionality (for tech-savvy interns); ask if they see a way to improve efficiency, streamline programs, or cut costs.
• Take responsibility for some regular task. Even if it’s as simple as taking, and placing, the weekly supply order, it will demonstrate follow-through and an ability to take ownership.

• Prepare a budget.
• Create support materials, such as charts, graphs, or other visuals.
• Plan and coordinate an event or meeting.
• Generate a marketing plan, financial forecast, or other report.
• Produce a video or slide presentation.
• Perform a study or survey; analyze and present results.
• Write internal communications.
• Compile employee manuals or develop process directions for tasks with high employee turnover.
• Source goods or search for lower-cost sources for high-volume materials.
• Clean up a database.
• Serve as a liaison between the company and clients or vendors (freeing up staff members to communicate on only more crucial issues).
• Aid in the modification or enhancement of your internship program.
• Help screen and train replacement interns prior to departure.

The bottom line when it comes to assigning intern tasks is to strike a balance between those activities that will provide a meaningful learning experience and those activities that will increase productivity in the organization.