As you’re selecting a spring and summer intern cohort, it’s important to remember that interns are not typical employees. They are most likely new to your industry—maybe even new to the workplace—and would greatly benefit from some helping hands. Here’s how you can make your interns’ experience welcoming, educational, and helpful to your company’s future hiring goals.

Fold them into the team

Interns are a valuable part of the team as much as anyone else—and they are also your strongest potential employees and brand advocates. You want to make them feel included and not like short-time outsiders. Offer your interns various get-to-know-you experiences as an intern cohort, as a work team, as a department, and as a company. Be sure to introduce them to plenty of team members and include them in work life as you would a regular employee.

Choose a mentor

Don’t let your interns stumble blindly! Assign a supervisor-mentor who will check in on them regularly, answer questions, hear feedback, discuss their career plans, and facilitate networking opportunities according to the interns’ goals and interests. Interns should be expected to take some initiative in forming their own connections, but it helps tremendously, especially for young professionals, to get them started.

Offer real-life opportunities

These are precious weeks to train and entice future talent! Don’t relegate interns to filing and coffee runs. Offer them opportunities to learn, grow, and make meaningful contributions to your business and its goals, such as working on a project or soliciting their feedback at meetings. Interns, especially virtual ones, can have a lot of quiet time outside of daily duties, so feel free to get creative!

Provide honest feedback

Praise your interns as they do great work. But also constructively tell them when they miss the mark. (This is a real-world work experience, after all.) Be sure each intern has an exit interview to discuss their personal successes and opportunities for growth, as well as to provide feedback on the company’s internship program.

Recognize amazing interns

You’ll know a high-potential intern when you see one. Be sure to recognize exceptional interns for their achievements. Telling everyone how great they are will help your intern build a positive reputation and connections across departments, which is priceless ahead of a job search.

Aid their next steps

A stellar intern could be your next great full-timer! Arrange for your interns to meet with Human Resources. Educate your interns about your company and your hiring process. You may even help hone their job-searching skills by reviewing their resumes and cover letters and by providing mock interviews.

When it comes to your next intern cohort, skip the grunt work and put in the effort to go for the gold!