Internships can be a launchpad for your career, and some companies are setting new standards for what these programs can offer. Let’s shine a spotlight on organizations that provide hands-on experiences while also investing in the personal and professional growth of their interns. Whether you’re a student ready to dive into the workforce or a company looking to engage with the next generation of talent, there’s a lot to learn from these standout programs.
What is National Intern Day?
National Intern Day is an annual celebration held on the last Thursday of July. The event was started by Way Up in 2017 and is now continued by Yellllo, which acquired Way Up in 2021. National Intern Day is about promoting the importance of creating meaningful internship experiences and how they can shape future careers. It also encourages companies to invest in their intern programs.
Many former Student Ambassadors from Campus Commandos go on to intern for some of the top companies in the summer, and even receive full-time employment opportunities with those same companies after graduation.
Celebrating Intern Impact
National Intern Day offers a chance to highlight success stories and demonstrate the value of fresh perspectives. Companies often use this day to organize special events, from networking sessions to skill-building workshops. Some even feature intern projects in company-wide presentations.
This celebration also serves as a platform for companies to announce full-time job offers to outstanding interns.
Insights from This Year’s Nominations
The nominations for this year’s Top 100 Internship Programs have revealed some exciting trends in how companies are shaping their intern experiences.
Intern Involvement Beyond Daily Tasks
Top internship programs are fully integrating interns into company life and culture, helping them feel like valued team members. Interns are now participating in employee resource groups (ERGs) and joining executive Q&A sessions. Moreover, many companies are also offering interns the same wellness perks and mental health benefits as full-time employees.
Some programs are even using intern feedback to shape their experiences in real-time. Regular surveys and check-ins allow companies to adjust and improve their programs on the fly.
Building Community and Connection
Creating a sense of community among interns is becoming a key focus for top internship programs. Companies are using LinkedIn Groups and newsletters to connect interns to each other before their first day. This early engagement helps build excitement and reduces first-day jitters.
During the internship, programs are organizing cross-functional team challenges and intern-led social events. These activities foster collaboration and help interns build a professional network.
Additionally, some companies are even running Shark Tank-style competitions, encouraging interns to work together on innovative projects.
Leading internship programs are putting a strong emphasis on intern development and regular feedback. Many are adopting variations of the 70/20/10 development model.
This approach breaks down as:
- 70% learning through hands-on experience
- 20% learning through coaching and mentorship
- 10% learning through formal training sessions
Programs are also offering additional development opportunities like resume reviews, mock interviews, and access to online learning platforms such as LinkedIn Learning.
Some companies are even aligning their intern development sessions with NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) competencies to ensure interns are building skills that are highly valued in the job market.
Selecting the Top 100 Internship Programs
Criteria for Selection
The selection process for the Top 100 Internship Programs involves both public voting and expert evaluation. Here’s a breakdown of the key criteria:
- Public Votes: Over 115,000 votes were cast by the public.
- Expert Panel Review: Industry experts reviewed anonymized nominations.
- Key Evaluation Areas:
- Professional development opportunities
- Intern engagement levels
- Company culture integration
- Conversion rates to full-time positions
- Compensation packages
- Unique program elements
This multi-faceted approach ensures a fair and comprehensive assessment of each program’s strengths and unique offerings.
2025’s #1 Program Winner: Kimley-Horn!
Kimley-Horn’s internship program stood out as the gold standard in 2025. Interns at Kimley-Horn are active contributors to high-impact projects. The program provides technical training and feedback from multiple sources, including supervisors and firm leaders.
A strength of Kimley-Horn’s program is its focus on connection and exploration. Interns collaborate across disciplines and regions, allowing them to discover their best fit within the company.
The program’s success is evident in its exceptional offer and conversion rates. Notably, over 20% of Kimley-Horn’s current full-time employees started as interns, including their current President who began as an intern in 1994!
Specialty Award Winners
In addition to the overall top 100, several companies received special recognition for outstanding aspects of their internship programs.
American Heart Association – Public Service Award
The American Heart Association (AHA) won the Public Service Award for its exceptional commitment to public good through intern engagement.
AHA’s internship program is built around the motto “Interns save lives!” Interns work on nationwide health initiatives, create CPR education content, and develop advocacy campaigns. The program balances strategic project work with leadership coaching and professional development. Every intern receives CPR certification, preparing them to make a real-world impact.
With a strong track record of converting interns to full-time roles, AHA’s program equips future professionals to serve from day one.
Fulcrum Global Technologies – Intern Growth Award
Fulcrum Global Technologies earned the Intern Growth Award for creating opportunities that transform interns into confident, well-prepared professionals.
Their program stands out with its 13-week startup incubator. Interdisciplinary teams of interns co-found real companies, supported by Fulcrum GT’s staff across various departments.
Interns get hands-on experience in business registration and patent filing, along with monthly opportunities to showcase their progress to executives and external investors. To balance the intense work, the program includes weekly social events for interns to network and connect with their peers.
General Dynamics – Innovation Award
General Dynamics received the Innovation Award for pushing the boundaries of conventional internship programs. Their program immerses interns in real-world defense and cybersecurity challenges across multiple domains: land, air, sea, space, and cyber.
With a conversion rate exceeding 65%, many interns transition into full-time roles at General Dynamics. Several of the company’s directors and vice presidents began their careers as interns, including one engineering manager who started as a mechanical engineering intern 15 years ago and has since supported key submarine projects worldwide.
Valmark Financial Group – Small but Mighty Award
Valmark Financial Group won the Small but Mighty Award, proving that small companies can build powerful talent pipelines, too.
Their program fully integrates interns into core business operations. Interns receive dedicated mentorship and continuous feedback to fuel their growth. The program’s unique year-round structure allows for deeper learning and long-term alignment, helping interns build confidence and clarity in their career paths.
With 70% of interns transitioning to full-time roles and over a third advancing into leadership positions, Valmark’s program is designed to develop future company leaders.
Inspiring Future Internship Programs
The top internship programs of 2025 have set new benchmarks for what internships can offer. Their innovative approaches provide valuable lessons for companies looking to enhance their own intern experiences.
Setting New Standards
The best internship programs are redefining what it means to be an intern and offer impactful work experiences.
Key trends include:
- Full integration into company culture and projects
- Cross-functional exposure and collaboration
- Direct interaction with company leadership
- Opportunities to contribute to high-stakes projects
These programs show that interns can be valuable contributors when given the right opportunities and support.
Investing in Intern Growth
Top programs are treating internships as the first step in a long-term relationship with future talent.
Successful strategies include:
- Structured mentorship programs
- Regular feedback and performance reviews
- Professional development workshops
- Clear pathways to full-time employment
By investing in intern growth, companies are building strong talent pipelines and fostering loyalty among early-career professionals.
Companies looking to improve their internship programs can learn from these examples. The key is to view interns as potential future leaders of the organization. Campus Commandos will continue to monitor the top internship programs and award lists from Yellllo and other organizations.
Campus Commandos can help you keep the momentum of your internship program going, even when your interns go back to college. We help transform them into Student Ambassadors who continue promoting your brand throughout the year.