Engage Your Interns Through Volunteer Events
Welcoming summer interns can be a massive task, especially in the years since the worst of the pandemic has ended.
One way to ensure they feel welcomed and invest in your company is by hosting a volunteer event.
Why Should You Host a Volunteer Event?
Those who are part of Gen Z, which most interns will be, are known for being socially and politically active. They’re not just paying lip service to their beliefs either. Many are tying employment decisions to company’s purpose.
According to the American Marketing Association, businesses that commit to CSR saw a 13% increase in productivity and a 50% reduction in employee turnover. Additionally, 53% of people in this age group said having a job where they can make an impact is important to their happiness.
Thirty-five percent say they would take a 15% pay cut to work for a company committed to CSR and 45% said they’d take a pay cut if it meant working for a company that makes an environmental or social impact.
“CSR used to be an afterthought for large corporations,” the AMA report said. “But now, because of the values and priorities of the younger generations, corporate giving must be built into the mission and DNA of businesses.”
Allow All Interns to Benefit By Engaging in A Multi-Office Event
Our clients have seen the impact these types of events that include multiple regions firsthand.
Last year, Bank of America invited its interns to engage in an in-person volunteer event that supported local Boys & Girls Clubs as well as Volunteers of America.
By choosing to work with local branches of national nonprofits, the Bank of America interns were able to complete the same activities in each office.
The two Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs included creating 126 solar science stations and 135 mBot robots. The interns also made 136 no-sew blankets and 472 stuffed teddy bears for children. They also donated 2,202 volunteer hours.
Playing a video from your company CSR leader at the start of each event and distributing matching t-shirts to each intern, can help bolster the connection between the interns and the employee brand, too. Additionally, teams can be connected by a video chat and shared playlists, too.