Last week, I went to a happy hour that was organized for one of our interns, marking the end of his internship.  I couldn't help but think what a nice gesture this was for his managers and the entire team that he worked with to want to celebrate his contribution this summer.  With this simple gesture, they demonstrated how much they cared, which is a critical ingredient of authentic leadership. 

August marks the end of our summer internship program.  It's sad to see these talented young people move on as we have grown accustomed to having them around.  The primary goal of our internship program is to identify the best candidates and make them a job offer upon graduation.  Not only do the interns need to prove themselves to us, but we have to prove to the interns that this is the place that they want to launch their career.  And one feeling that rings strongly with this generation is "Caring." 

Here are some ideas that I have learned about demonstrating caring for interns:

• Communicate regularly with them.  Before the internship starts, make sure they know what to expect when they arrive the first day so that they are well prepared.  During the internship, add them to your distribution lists and invite them to your team meetings.  After the internship, stay in touch with them on campus to see how things are working out, or share with them some things that are happening with your team.
• Create an environment where relationships are supported.  Assign a peer mentor, invite them to lunch, meet with them individually to get to know them better and get feedback on the experience. Include them in your team's after-work activities.
• Invest in their learning and development.  Organize training sessions, schedule meetings with other business leaders, lead discussions on management issues, assign them real responsibilities, and allow them an opportunity to present to their peers on their internship experience.
• Help the with their career planning.  Offer them advice on setting goals and developing action plans and provide career coaching and assistance with their resume and interview skills.
• Celebrate their successes.  Whether it's a happy hour, a lunch with the team, or a goody table in the office, do something to celebrate the internship for everyone, because everyone plays a part in the intern's success to some degree.

So have we shown that we cared about each one of our interns?  I hope so!