Internship Toolkit

V.  Internship Posting Guide

Best Practices for Posting Opportunities

When crafting internship postings, organizations should:

• Clearly describe the role, responsibilities, and expected outcomes for the intern.
• Emphasize professional development opportunities, including skill-building and team involvement.
• Provide transparency about compensation, including whether the internship is paid, unpaid, or offers a stipend.
• Specify the internship duration, weekly time commitment, and any flexibility in scheduling to accommodate students’ academic responsibilities.
• Nonprofits are encouraged to “close the loop” by keeping candidates informed throughout the application process and notifying them of decisions promptly, and removing the listing once the position is filled.

Where to Post Opportunities

Posting internships on accessible platforms increases visibility and attracts a diverse candidate pool. Consider the following platforms and resources:

• Nonprofit Websites and Social Media: Post internship opportunities directly on your nonprofit’s website and social media channels to reach your established audience and followers
• Handshake: A widely used platform among local colleges and universities, offering a streamlined process for nonprofits to create profiles and post opportunities.
• Community Foundations: Portals like CFEngage offer regional posting options to reach broader audiences.
• Career Services: Partner with university career centers to connect directly with students, share job fairs, or post opportunities tailored to their academic programs.
• Tabling Events: Bring internship opportunities to tabling events such as career fairs or community events to share them directly with attendees.
• Community Portals: Platforms such as Chamber RVA’s job portal can help reach candidates beyond traditional university settings.