Growing Designers
Running a Successful Internship
Program and 20 Benefits.

For years, I've had the privilege of leading a team of seasoned designers at Cisco. In many companies, once you attain a senior position, the natural progression is into management to advance your career. However, Cisco and other Fortune 500 companies offer a unique opportunity for senior designers to continue their ascent within the design domain. Through one-on-one discussions and team meetings, it became evident that some of our designers were intrigued by the idea of exploring management roles.

In response, I devised a strategy to provide our team with the chance to oversee and nurture UX talent by engaging in the recruitment and hiring of summer interns.

My team embraced this strategy for several compelling reasons. Not only did it offer valuable assistance with ongoing design projects, but it also provided the platform to mentor and cultivate emerging talent. Through this initiative, my team could impart their design wisdom and strengths to these budding talents, thereby enhancing their managerial skills.

Our approach involved sourcing high school and college talent via an internship program. Each summer, a couple of interns would join our team, contributing to ongoing and additional projects.

For those team members interested in this experience, we meticulously structured an internship program aimed at attracting and nurturing new designers annually.

Recruitment
Our recruitment process was a deliberate and collaborative effort. We individually reviewed potential candidates' resumes and portfolios, subsequently convening as a team to discuss those who exhibited promise. These discussions revolved around our ongoing projects and areas where supplementary assistance was needed. Depending on the season, we might require support in areas such as discovery and research or actual design work. I would initiate an initial phone screening with candidates to delve into their aspirations and gauge their communication abilities. If this initial interaction proved fruitful, a virtual meeting would be arranged between the candidate and the hiring team, conducted primarily through WebEx. Post-interviews, we would collectively evaluate each candidate's strengths and the unique contributions they could bring to our team. We swiftly learned that exceptional candidates are in high demand, necessitating a prompt decision-making process.

Mentorship Development
Our team blossomed into exceptional mentors for the budding talent. Weekly meetings allowed us to review the interns' project progress and advancements. Individualized discussions took place between each intern and my team members, providing insight into their project experiences. The primary objective was to gauge their progress, identify roadblocks within their projects, and collaboratively find solutions to ensure their success. These insights guided me in my coaching conversations with the team members. Depending on my team's capacity and interest during particular summers, I would also be closely involved in guiding the interns.

In essence, the collective growth was remarkable. My team's engagement with the work deepened, as they needed to effectively impart their knowledge to the interns for successful outcomes.

Training Enhancement
To bolster the interns' growth, we meticulously designed an onboarding program. This initiative aimed to familiarize them with our product portfolio and enhance their understanding of our industry. Collaborating with cross-functional partners, we conducted comprehensive product overviews and industry-specific briefings. Additionally, we enrolled our interns in a Certified Cyber Security Training program, equipping them with a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity best practices.

An Enriching Experience
The process of cultivating designers resonated deeply with my team, mirroring my own fulfillment in leading them. Remarkably, two of the designers who were part of this initiative have since evolved into exceptional managers, thriving in the realm of design management. I wholeheartedly recommend the establishment of an internship program within any company. Not only does this positively impact organizational productivity, but it also offers team members a tantalizing taste of leadership and management.

Seasoned designers can pass on their experience, insights, and industry best practices to emerging talent.

1. Knowledge Sharing
   Cultivating designers within your team fosters an environment of knowledge sharing. Seasoned designers can pass on their experience, insights, and industry best practices to emerging talent.
   

2. Skill Development
   The mentorship role encourages team members to refine their communication, leadership, and coaching skills, which are vital in both design and management roles.
   

3. Enhanced Creativity
   The infusion of fresh perspectives from young designers can ignite new creative approaches, invigorating the overall design process and team dynamics.
   

4. Increased Productivity
   With additional hands on deck, your team can tackle a broader range of projects, leading to increased productivity and faster project turnaround times.
   

5. Talent Pipeline
   Nurturing emerging designers establishes a reliable pipeline of future talent for your organization, reducing the challenges of finding skilled designers when the need arises.
   

6. Adaptability
   Exposure to diverse design ideas and approaches encourages your team to adapt and evolve, keeping your design process fresh and in tune with evolving trends.
   

7. Motivated Workforce
   The opportunity to mentor and contribute to the growth of others fosters a sense of pride and fulfillment among team members, resulting in higher job satisfaction.
   

8. Networking Opportunities
   Engaging with interns and emerging designers opens doors to new professional networks and potential collaborations, both within and beyond your organization.
   

9. Succession Planning
   As interns transition to full-time roles, you have a pool of talented designers who are already well-versed with your team's processes and culture, making succession planning smoother.
   

10. Personal Growth
    Guiding and developing young designers provides team members with personal growth opportunities, enhancing their overall career trajectory and job satisfaction.
    

11. Innovation Catalyst
    The infusion of fresh ideas and perspectives from interns can serve as a catalyst for innovation within your design team, driving the creation of novel solutions.
    

12. Positive Reputation
    Establishing a reputation for cultivating talent can attract top-tier designers who are eager to be part of a team that invests in their growth and development.
    

13. Learning Feedback Loop
    Interns can offer unique insights and feedback on your team's processes and methodologies, contributing to a continuous learning feedback loop.
    

14. Team Cohesion
    Collaborating to mentor and guide interns fosters a sense of unity and teamwork within your design group, strengthening the overall team dynamics.
    

15. Leadership Exposure
    Offering your team the chance to mentor and lead interns provides them with early exposure to leadership roles, preparing them for future managerial positions.
    

16. Fresh Energy
    The enthusiasm and fresh energy that interns bring can inject new life into your team's work environment, inspiring everyone to approach projects with renewed vigor.
    

17. Positive Impact
    By nurturing young designers, your team contributes to the growth and development of the design industry as a whole, leaving a lasting, positive impact.
    

18. Diverse Perspectives

    Interns often bring diverse cultural, generational, and educational perspectives, enriching your team's ability to tackle a wider range of design challenges.
    

19. Mutual Learning
    The mentorship relationship can become a two-way street, where both seasoned designers and interns learn from each other's experiences and viewpoints.
    

20. Long-Term Benefits
    The skills and knowledge imparted to interns can lead to their long-term success, reflecting positively on your team and your organization's commitment to nurturing talent.