How to Create a Meaningful Internship Experience for Maine Youth
Hosting a young person through the Maine Career Exploration Program isn’t just about getting an extra set of hands for a few weeks. It’s about giving someone their first real look at the working world — and helping them build confidence, skills and direction for the future.
If you’ve ever said, “Young people just need a chance,” this is that chance.
And the best part? The program helps make it easy for Maine employers to say yes.
Through the Maine Career Exploration (MCE) Program, young people can work up to 75 hours with you — and you don’t pay the wages. The program covers pay at Maine’s minimum wage and handles workers’ compensation and payroll costs through its partner, Manpower.
That means you get:
Paid interns at no wage cost to your business
A chance to mentor and shape future talent
No payroll or insurance burden
Support from MCE and Manpower if any questions arise
For many businesses, this makes hosting a young person not just beneficial, but easy.
Start with a Plan (It Doesn’t Have to Be Fancy)
Before your intern walks in the door, spend a few minutes thinking about what success looks like.
Ask yourself:
What skills could this young person build?
What parts of our work could they learn from?
What real tasks or projects can we assign?
Internships work best when students understand how their work fits into your business. Even simple duties become meaningful when tied to a bigger goal.
Pick a Go-To Person
Every intern needs someone they can talk to — not just a supervisor, but a supporter.
Choose one team member who’s:
Patient
Clear in communication
Willing to check in weekly
A quick 15-minute conversation each week goes a long way:
What did you learn this week?
What was challenging?
What are you curious about?
For many young people, this may be their first professional experience. Having one steady person to talk to builds confidence fast.
Give Them Something That Matters
While interns will help with everyday tasks, try to give them at least one meaningful assignment.
Good ideas include:
Helping with an event or marketing piece
Supporting customer engagement or operations
Researching an idea that matters
Shadowing different roles in your business
When they can point to something and say, “I helped with that,” it sticks.
Talk About the Little Things
You know the unwritten rules of the workplace and professionalism — show up on time, ask questions, communicate well, don’t microwave fish in the office. A lot of students don’t.
Take time to talk about:
Writing professional emails
Managing time and deadlines
Asking for help
What growth looks like in your field
These lessons matter everywhere.
End Strong
At the end of their 75-hour experience, sit down and talk it through.
Ask:
What did they enjoy?
What did they learn?
Where do they want to go next?
Some students may even become great long-term employees. Others may head in a different direction — but either way, you’ve helped them take a meaningful step forward.
Why This Matters for Maine
Maine’s future workforce is right here in high schools and colleges. When businesses open their doors, even for 75 hours, it makes a real difference.
A well-run internship supports youth, strengthens our workforce and lets Maine businesses shape the next generation of skilled workers. And with the MCE Program covering wages and administrative costs, there’s never been a better time to get involved.
Ready to get started? Fill out our employer onboarding form today!
