PODCAST 027

From Intern to Asset: The Making of a Successful Internship Program

SUMMARY

This episode of ‘Behind the Brand’ focuses on the intricacies of successful internships from both a business and intern perspective. Taylor and Kelly from Moxie Creative share their own internship experiences and discuss what businesses should consider before hiring an intern, the dynamics of a strong intern-leader relationship, and future opportunities for their standout intern, Macki Deters. The conversation covers the responsibilities and challenges of hosting an intern, Macki contributions and growth during her internship, and advice for both interns and businesses to ensure a beneficial and impactful experience for all parties.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Successful Internships
00:23 Meet the Hosts and Their Internship Stories
01:21 Kelly’s Internship Journey
04:33 Taylor’s Internship Experience
06:32 Challenges and Lessons in Hiring Interns
09:24 Macki’s Internship at Moxie
15:25 Starting the Internship Journey
16:34 Taking on Creative Projects
17:37 Writing and Content Creation
18:29 Educational Background and Skills
20:22 Realizing the Fit
24:46 Reflecting on the Experience
27:16 Advice for Future Interns
30:08 Final Thoughts and Farewell

TAKEAWAYS

  • Interns aren’t free labor — they need guidance.

  • Balance learning with meaningful contribution.

  • Set clear goals and expectations early.

  • Think of internships as giving back, not cheap help.

  • Culture fit outweighs technical skills.

  • Skip the “busywork” — give real ownership.

  • Growth comes from getting uncomfortable.

  • Mentorship requires patience and flexibility.

  • Great internships build loyalty and future hires.

  • Success works both ways when value is shared.