Ascendium certificate program prepares interns for long-term career success

Internships can be invaluable for setting learners on the path to long-term professional success, aligning their classroom learning with industry-specific workforce preparation. Learners who have completed an internship are  almost 25% more likely to be hired for a full-time position than peers without an internship (Source: Forbes). They can also gain crucial soft skills as they acclimate to workplace norms, communicate with colleagues, advocate for themselves, and grow in professional confidence (Source: MDRC). For learners from low-income backgrounds, in particular, a paid internship can provide access to professional training and networks that, over time, can translate into economic mobility.

To provide learners in our community with these hands-on learning opportunities, Ascendium welcomes new interns to our Madison headquarters each year. These interns contribute meaningfully to their teams by leading projects, creating a variety of deliverables, and sharing their perspectives. They build a range of hard and soft skills in the workplace as they’re introduced to new tools and new ways of thinking critically and creatively. In addition to mentorship, past interns have pointed to these transferable skills as the most important takeaways from their time at Ascendium.

Ascendium wanted to create an even more supportive environment for our interns as they begin their unique professional journeys. To do this, we began an Intern Leadership Certificate Program during summer 2024. This nine-week program is organized so that interns can create a self-directed, yet robustly supported internship aligned with their professional goals.

The program emphasizes professional growth through self-reflection and goal setting. One-hour weekly sessions with their fellow interns and program facilitator prompt interns to develop their workplace skills, including problem-solving in the office and reading job descriptions. These group sessions complement individual meetings with the facilitator, allowing interns to reflect on their professional growth and begin articulating long-term goals.

Here’s what our interns found most helpful about the certificate program’s role in their internships.

Elijah – Digital Communications Intern

“The certificate program was incredibly beneficial. The program allowed me to engage and collaborate with my fellow interns and develop a relationship with our certificate facilitator. With her one-on-one weekly consultations and meetings, I was able to set goals for my internship and strive to do my best work every day. This was my first internship, so it was incredibly valuable to have a certificate facilitator who was always there with a helping hand assisting whenever possible. A personal highlight was having our resumes critiqued and edited by the leadership team. We also discussed how to maximize our LinkedIn pages and how to shape a cover letter to our strengths. The certificate program was an insightful experience that I recommend to all Ascendium interns.”

Ben – Writing Intern

“Existing in this ever-supportive environment has allowed me to not only grow immensely as a writer but also as a team member. Through this internship, I was able to write across a wide variety of media, progressing and refining my skill set. This experience pushed me to write as part of a brand, fine-tuning my voice and techniques to match Ascendium’s. The structure of this internship through the certificate program, with all the resources it provided, allowed me to view myself as a professional in the space, identifying my wants and needs and pushing myself to evolve.”

Mackenzie – Graphic Design Intern

“My graphic design internship greatly surpassed my expectations. I received hands-on mentoring and guidance from a whole team of experienced designers. Ascendium is truly committed to providing interns with enriching experiences and preparing them for future professional success. I had the opportunity to contribute as a valued member of a dynamic team, managing multiple projects simultaneously. Working with a company that has such a well-defined and comprehensive brand was incredibly beneficial. It challenged me to remain creative and inventive while adhering to strict guidelines and honed my skills in maintaining a consistent visual identity while adapting to the nuances of Ascendium’s various departments.”