Three Ways To CreaTe Purposeful Internship Experiences

By Merrilee Matchett

Working Gen Z employees are among the least satisfied group in today’s workforce. MetLife’s 2022 Employment Benefit Trends Study (EBTS) found that job satisfaction and loyalty are disproportionately low among Gen Z compared to other generations, but purposeful work is a top driver for overall employee health and well-being. This gives organizations a chance to help younger generations feel a stronger sense of belonging early on, by embedding impactful work into internship programs.

As a member of the National Board of Directors for INROADS Inc., a national nonprofit organization dedicated to developing and placing underserved youth in business and preparing them for leadership, I’ve learned firsthand how purposeful work can lead to higher satisfaction among interns, resulting in more satisfied future employees. MetLife and INROADS have a long-standing partnership and have worked together to create pathways for nearly 900 students. Last summer, MetLife welcomed 12 INROADS interns, most of whom were hired full time. We’re aiming to triple the number of interns this year because of the outstanding success of the program.

Pulling from our own experience, I’d like to share tips to transform experiences for interns: