An internship program can shape your next wave of leaders—if you’re listening, learning, and acting on what they have to share about their experience.

Every year, as summer ends, organizations face a crucial opportunity: to gather honest, actionable feedback from their interns and turn those insights into real improvements. A thoughtfully crafted survey—whether virtual or in-person—can be the difference between a good program and a truly exceptional one.

A well-crafted intern feedback survey does more than just capture opinions—it reveals the real intern experience, exposes blind spots in your company culture, and sparks meaningful change across your organization. By digging into interns’ perspectives, you’re not only improving the internship program itself but also gaining valuable insights to enrich your broader workplace environment and better attract tomorrow’s top talent. Now that’s a powerful feedback loop.

Let’s explore how a few well-chosen questions can spark innovation, boost engagement, and ensure your organization stands out as a top destination for future leaders.

6 Questions to Ask Your Interns

  1. How would you describe our company culture? Was it on point? Understanding how interns perceive your company culture is vital. Their feedback can help you identify areas where your culture is thriving and areas that may need improvement. This question can provide insights into whether your company’s values and environment align with the expectations and experiences of your interns.
  2. If you could make a change to your internship, what would it be? This question encourages interns to think critically about their experience and suggest improvements. Their responses can spur new ideas on how to enhance the overall program and make it more beneficial for future interns. It’s an opportunity to gather constructive feedback that can lead to meaningful changes.
  3. Did the position match your expectations? It’s important to know if the position description meets the interns’ expectations. This question helps you understand if the tasks and responsibilities were accurately portrayed during the hiring process. It can also provide feedback on how to avoid potentially misleading future interns and ensure that the job description is clear and accurate.
  4. Did you feel the housing/allowance stipend provided was adequate for your internship? The housing program is a significant aspect of the internship experience. This question aims to determine if the stipend provided was sufficient and if the housing arrangements met the interns’ needs. Their feedback can help you improve the housing program and ensure it is delivering on driving talent to your organization.
  5. What, if anything, would you change about the company as a whole? Interns can offer valuable suggestions for company-wide improvements. This question encourages them to provide constructive feedback and avoid complaints. A fresh set of eyes can offer companies insights that may not be apparent to long-term employees.
  6. What do you see as the next steps in your career? Understanding the career aspirations of your interns can help you identify potential future hires. This question helps you determine if their career steps align with their performance and how well they embraced the company culture. It can also provide insights into their long-term goals and how your company can support their career development.

Collecting feedback from interns is not just about improving the internship program; it’s also about enhancing the overall company experience. Interns can provide a unique perspective on various aspects of the company, from culture to processes, and this intel can help drive informed decisions that lead to positive changes and improvements.

Ready to transform your internship program and elevate your company culture?

Connect with Marian Sauers at msauers@weichertch.com to discover how Weichert Corporate Housing can help you turn insights into action, attract top talent, and build an environment where future leaders thrive.