National Intern Day falls on the last Thursday of July every year. You may have many questions: why is it celebrated? How can you celebrate it and make interns at your company feel appreciated? We will answer all those questions in this article.

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On the other hand, the time around National Intern Day is also suitable to apply for internships. If you’re looking for internships, we will also discuss some tips to help you with that. Let’s begin!

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What is National Intern Day?

National Intern Day aims to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work done by all the interns across the country. It was launched in 2017 by WayUp, an employment platform for college students and recent grads.

One of the main things that people look forward to on this day is the annual release of the Top 100 Internship Programs list.

For companies, it’s an honor to be on this list because it shows they offer a great internship experience. And for potential interns, this list shows them which companies they should apply for!

Feel free to read the 2024 list on the National Intern Day website.

Why Celebrate National Intern Day?

In our opinion, there are many reasons behind celebrating National Intern Day, most of which are quite important.

The truth is, the intention behind launching this day by WayUp and everyone who celebrates it is not only to improve morale among interns but also to bring to light many of the issues that they face on a daily basis: long hours with less or no pay, and all the financial, social, and health issues this can cause.

Interns make valuable contributions to several major companies, and yet they are often taken for granted. With National Intern Day, the hope is that it encourages companies to invest in better internship programs and fairer compensation.

Overall, this day highlights both the ups and downs of internships, and is necessary in a world where work-life balance is being neglected more and more.

How to Celebrate National Intern Day?

Now that you know the importance of National Intern Day (both for companies and interns), you may be wondering, how do you celebrate it at your company or organization? Let’s discuss some points.

1. Host Special Events

If you’re willing to invest the time, you can host a company-wide event to celebrate National Intern Day! It can be anything: a cookout, a picnic, team games, or just any kind of fun activity that everyone can take part in.

Besides interns feeling seen and appreciated, these events can also provide them a way to connect with full-time employees.

It also doesn’t have to be an in-person event. If your company has employees from all over the world, you can also host a virtual event! If done with sincerity, a virtual event can have the same impact on interns as an in-person event.

2. Recognition on Social Media

One way you can leverage your in-person or virtual National Intern Day event is to take pictures or videos of it and post it on social media using the Hashtag #NationalInternDay.

Beyond this, you can also ask your employees to post messages of gratitude on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. They can highlight specific contributions or moments with interns, and tag them in your posts to make the recognition more personal. You can also ask past interns of your company to share their stories and testimonials.

By doing all of this, you achieve two things: make interns all over the world feel appreciated, and also make your company more attractive to potential interns. This is because seeing those posts shows them that interning at your company would be a positive experience for them.

3. Personalized Appreciation

Of course, it’s not just about showing the world that you appreciate your interns. Within your company, you can also send personalized appreciation cards to your interns. A simple, heartfelt card or email can leave a lasting impression. Another great idea is to set up message boards where employees can write thank-you notes to interns.

In addition to all of this, it’s important to take steps that show that you’re willing to appreciate and mentor interns beyond just National Intern Day. This can be done by offering helpful resources such as online courses, workshops, or mentorship programs. If you do this, your interns will know that you truly value them.

What to Say on National Intern Day?

1. Express Gratitude Through Personalized Messages:

A simple, heartfelt note can leave a lasting impression. These messages could be handwritten cards, emails, or even a quick chat. Mention specific projects or tasks the intern has excelled at, making the appreciation feel genuine and tailored to their efforts.

2. Highlight Specific Contributions and Achievements: 

Take the opportunity to highlight the specific contributions and achievements of your interns. Perhaps an intern led a successful project, contributed an innovative idea, or showed exceptional teamwork. By recognizing these accomplishments publicly, you not only boost the intern's confidence but also motivate them to continue striving for excellence.

3. Share Inspiring Stories and Testimonials from Past Interns: 

These stories can highlight the growth and success that previous interns have experienced, illustrating the potential career paths available. Testimonials can be shared during meetings, on social media, or through internal newsletters. This not only celebrates current interns but also promotes a culture of mentorship and growth within the company.

4. Encourage Continuous Learning and Professional Growth: 

Offer resources such as online courses, workshops, or mentorship programs. Emphasize the importance of lifelong learning and how it can help them advance in their careers. Providing these opportunities shows that you are invested in their future, making them feel more connected to the company.

Tips to Get an Internship

After reading this article, you may want to learn how to get an internship, especially at a company that ranks at the top in the Top 100 Internship Programs list! Here are some tips that you can follow.

1. Leverage platforms to find an internship: Websites like WayUp, Indeed, and LinkedIn offer extensive listings of internship opportunities across various fields. You can also use Jobright to make the process easier. Utilizing these resources can significantly broaden your search and increase your chances of finding an ideal position.

2. Create a resume that gets you noticed: Using strong action verbs, quantifying achievements, personalizing your cover letter, addressing the hiring manager by name, and showing knowledge about the company are steps you can follow to stand out. Feel free to check out Jobright’s AI Resume Builder for assistance in crafting a great resume!

3. Network constantly: Having a powerful network makes it much easier to land an internship. Start by connecting with professionals in your desired field on LinkedIn. Beyond that, attend industry events, workshops, and webinars. Building genuine relationships can pay off in the long run.

We hope you found the above tips helpful in landing an internship! If you’d like to read more about getting an internship, check out our article about how to land a top college internship or design internship.