Flexible guidance to use as a whole to build a program or modular to strengthen an existing program
2026
Table of Contents
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Program Overview
Step 1: Define the Purpose and Goals
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Step 2: Gain Leadership & HR Support
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Step 3: Design the Program Structure
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Step 4: Develop Role Descriptions
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Step 5: Build Partnerships for Recruitment
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Step 6: Create an Application & Selection Process
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Step 7: Orientation & Onboarding
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Legal Compliance and Consideration
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Resources List
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Contacts
See how an agency follows the steps in this One-Pager
SCS INTERNSHIP Toolbox
Define the Purpose and Goals
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Use the Internship Program Design Worksheet to build a structured model
Flexible guidance to use as a whole to build a program or modular to strengthen an existing program
Let’s explore the resources
Gain Leadership & HR Support
Design the Program Structure
Develop Role Descriptions
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Use the Business Case Template & competency alignment
Use the Budget Template & Sample Timelines to design the details
Use the Internship Job Posting & Position Description templates
Build Partnerships for Recruitment
Create an Application & Selection Process
Orientation & Onboarding
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Use the MOU Template & make connections
Use the Intern Interview Guide & Rubric
Use the Onboarding Checklist & Check-In Guide
Program Overview The SCS Internship Toolbox is
designed to assist state agencies in recruiting college students and recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in their field of study. The program aims to: Provide students with practical, real-world experience in their chosen major. Prepare students to enter the workforce with relevant skills and competencies. Serve as a talent pipeline for state agencies, increasing the likelihood of post-graduation employment. Strengthen partnerships between higher education institutions and state government agencies.
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Define the Purpose and Goals
Gain Leadership & HR Support
Design the Program Structure
Develop Role Descriptions
Build Partnerships for Recruitment
Create an Application & Selection Process
Orientation & Onboarding
SCS Internship Toolbox
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Access to a pool of motivated, educated, and tech-savvy students. Opportunity to evaluate potential future employees before hiring. Reduction in recruiting costs (advertising, search fees, time spent interviewing). Support for current staff by delegating meaningful project work to interns. Fresh perspectives and innovative ideas from students familiar with current technologies and trends. Offer structured internship opportunities for college students across various majors. Facilitate skill development aligned with agency and state workforce needs. Enhance recruitment efforts by attracting top student talent. Reduce onboarding and training costs by developing a pool of pre-trained, motivated candidates.
SCS Internship Toolbox
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Step 1: Define the Purpose & Goals
Overview This step guides agencies through key design decisions when launching an internship program from the beginning. Complete each section in the worksheet to build a structured, intentional, and sustainable program model.
Key Sections to Explore
Program purpose and outcomes Target Audience Program structure Work Design Supervision and mentoring Learning and development Recruitment strategy Compensation and funding Onboarding and integration Evaluation and success measures Risk planning Implementation timeline
View the Tools
SCS Internship Toolbox
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Tools To Download
Internship Program Design Worksheet
SCS Internship Toolbox
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Step 2: Gain Leadership & HR Support
Overview This step is designed for agencies that wish to build a strong operational and strategic rationale for an internship program while incorporating competency language where relevant. This template blends traditional business case development practices with optional alignment to the Louisiana Competency Model. Key Sections to Explore
Organizational need Strategic alignment
Program goals and objectives Benefits and value proposition Budget and resource requirements Risks and mitigation strategies Success measures and ROI indicators Implementation timeline Recommendation and approval request
View the Tools
SCS Internship Toolbox
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Tools To Download
Internship Program Business Case Template
SCS Internship Toolbox
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Step 3: Design the Program Structure
Overview This step helps agencies clearly connect internship program budget items to business case justifications, estimate costs, and build a program timeline. It supports leadership review by showing how each cost directly advances organizational needs, outcomes, and value.
Key Actions
Use the crosswalk to review budget categories and identify each related business case and purpose Use the budget template to estimate and document costs associated with establishing or expanding an internship program Consider each phase of an intern life cycle to build an estimated program timeline
View the Tools
SCS Internship Toolbox
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Tools To Download
Budget to Business Case Crosswalk
Internship Program Budget Template
Sample Internship Program Timeline Template
SCS Internship Toolbox
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Step 4: Develop Role Descriptions
Overview
This step helps agencies develop internship role descriptions and draft a job posting template.
Key Sections to Explore
Participation requirements Applicant procedures Instructions for submissions Internship timeline
Sample Requirements
View the Tools
SCS Internship Toolbox
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Tools To Download
Internship Job Posting Template
SCS Internship Toolbox
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Step 5: Build Partnerships for Recruitment
Overview This step helps agencies build strong recruitment pipelines by forming partnerships with schools, workforce organizations, and community groups.
Key Actions
Use the Internship MOU template to help clearly define roles and expectations
Items to Consider
Purpose Term and schedule Intern status Intern duties and responsibilities Agency responsibilities Supervision Learning objectives Performance and evaluation
View the Tools
SCS Internship Toolbox
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Tools To Download
Internship MOU Template
SCS Internship Toolbox
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Step 6: Create an Application & Selection Process
Overview This step helps agencies use core competencies and sample interview questions to create a guide that helps supervisors conduct effective interview with student interns.
Key Actions
Review Competencies Select Questions Take Notes Keep it Conversational
Sample Competency
View the Tools
SCS Internship Toolbox
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Tools To Download
Intern Interview Toolkit
SCS Internship Toolbox
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Step 7: Orientation & Onboarding
Overview
This step helps agencies set interns up for success from day one with a structured orientation and onboarding process.
Key Sections to Explore
Pre-First Day First Day First Week Ongoing End of Internship
Sample Checklist
View the Tools
SCS Internship Toolbox
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Tools To Download
Intern Onboarding Checklist
SCS Internship Toolbox
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Legal Compliance and Consideration
Agencies must ensure that the internship program adheres to applicable federal and state labor laws:
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Determines whether the internship is paid or unpaid and sets minimum wage requirements for paid interns.
State Employment Laws: Compliance with minimum wage, working hours, and workplace safety.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Laws: Non-discrimination policies in recruitment, selection, and internship assignments.
Worker’s Compensation and Liability Coverage: Ensure interns are covered in case of workplace injuries.
Confidentiality and Data Security: Interns must follow state policies regarding sensitive or confidential information.
SCS Internship Toolbox
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Resources
Download the resources from each step:
Step 1: Internship Program Design Worksheet
Step 2: Internship Program Business Case Template
Step 3: Internship Program Budget to Business Case Crosswalk Internship Program Budget Template Sample Internship Program Timeline Template
Step 4:
Internship Job Posting Template
Step 5:
Internship MOU Template
Step 6:
Intern Interview Toolkit Guide
Step 7:
Intern Onboarding Checklist
Download the One-Pager
SCS Internship Toolbox
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Contacts
Have questions or need additional assistance? Contact our Learning, Performance, and Culture team.
Dr. Dana LeBherz SCS Division Administrator, Learning Performance, and Culture
Kymberlie Broussard SCS Facilitator, Learning Performance, and Culture
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