With National Intern Day just around the corner on July 31, 2025, it's time to celebrate the vibrant community of interns who call your campus home for the summer. As they embark on their professional journeys, gain experience interning, and contribute their talents to various fields, there are several great ways to recognize the invaluable role they play in enriching your campus culture during their summer stay. This year, mark the occasion with creativity and enthusiasm by implementing one or a few of the ideas listed below:
1. National Intern Day Dinner
Host a special themed-dinner event where interns can meet each other. Provide delicious food and beverages and create an environment to encourage socializing.
2. Late Night Breakfast
What’s better than eating breakfast for breakfast? Eating breakfast late-at-night. So why not host a special breakfast event at 10pm on Friday night to celebrate your on-campus interns?!?!
3. Social Media Intern Takeover
During the week of Intern Day, have an intern take over Instagram Stories for a day to introduce themselves and capture moments throughout their stay, highlighting their favorite food, locations, attractions, internship, etc. to film a Day In The Life series.
4. Campus Block Party
Host an Outdoor campus party during the weekend following National Intern Day. Feature delicious food options, lawn games, and music to create a safe, fun environment for your summer guests to take part in!
5. Social Media Recognition
Showcase interns on your university's social media platforms by sharing their stories, photos, and accomplishments. Use hashtags like #NationalInternDay and #InternSpotlight to highlight their achievements.
6. Swag Bags
Prepare swag bags for interns, including university merchandise like a t-shirt, pen, phone card holder, etc., as well as city maps, and restaurant and attraction guides. Interns will feel appreciated and use the items you give them.
7. Intern Sweepstakes
Create a goodie bag and encourage your interns to enter the drawing to win! Step 1: Fill the goodie bag with cool stuff – a high ticket item: AirPods, Nintendo Switch Lite, or Bose Speaker, + University Swag. Step 2: Layout the rules for entering – follow, like, and comment on the social media post to enter the sweepstakes. Step 3: Draw the winning intern and post about it on your social media channel!
8. Intern Networking Mixer
Host a networking mixer where interns can connect with professionals from the city, alumni, and other interns. Provide refreshments and appetizers and encourage meaningful conversations and engagement.
9. Intern Olympics
Host a fun competition featuring various fun outdoor games and activities. Set up stations for sack races, three-legged races, tug-of-war, water balloon toss, giant Jenga, cornhole, frisbee, and mini-golf. Divide interns into teams and encourage friendly competition throughout the day. Offer prizes for the winning teams, such as gift cards to local restaurants or movie tickets. It's a fantastic way for interns to unwind, bond with each other, and create lasting memories of their summer experience at your university.
Incorporating one or a few of these ideas into your National Intern Day celebration will leave a lasting impression on your summer interns. Use this opportunity to show your appreciation for the interns who enrich your campus community with their energy, dedication, and fresh perspectives. From networking mixers to late-night breakfasts and social media spotlights, there are countless ways to show your gratitude for their presence and contributions. By embracing these initiatives, you are not only creating a supportive and inclusive environment for your interns but also ensuring they leave with unforgettable memories and valuable connections. So, let's celebrate these future leaders and innovators on July 31, to support them in continuing to make a positive impact in their respective fields and beyond.