Plan the intern鈥檚 role
We recommend you draft a role outline including:
- key tasks and responsibilities
- expected outputs
- capabilities the intern might develop
Objectives
- What do you want the intern to achieve?
- How does this align with departmental or University goals?
- Are the goals realistic given the intern鈥檚 experience and the 8-week timeframe? Remember Bath Insights are intended for students with minimal or no prior work experience
Achievements
- What would a successful intern look like and implement by the end of the internship?
- How will you measure success? Through deliverables, feedback, or observed growth?
- Consider both tangible outputs (e.g. reports, presentations, prototypes) and personal development (e.g. confidence, communication, initiative)
Team involvement and support
- Assign a line manager and a secondary contact
- Ensure someone from the team is in the office with the intern Monday鈥揟hursday
- Arrange weekly check-ins between the line manager and the intern, which should be at least 30 minutes long
- Plan for informal support (e.g. shadowing and team introductions)
- Feedback throughout 鈥� not just at the end of the internship
Timeline and structure
- Draft a weekly timetable with tasks and objectives
- Consider what a typical working day may look like for the intern
Resources and access
Ensure the intern has access to:
- a desk and equipment , including a laptop
- IT systems (email, shared drives, software)
- any required training (e.g., data handling, safeguarding)
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Overscoping (this will result in the intern feeling overwhelmed by unrealistic expectations)
- Underscoping (there is a risk that the intern finishes early and is bored)
- Leaving interns isolated or without direction (these are first-year students, in possibly their first experience of a professional environment. They will need support)
- Forgetting the interns are learning 鈥� they will ask questions and make mistakes. This is a chance for them to grow and build resilience