Partner FAQ
Program Basics
Q: How long is the internship?
A: Typically, 6 weeks beginning in late June through the second week of August. Our 2026 internship is from Monday, June 29 – Friday, August 7.
Q: How much are interns paid?
A: Interns earn a minimum of $18/hour. Companies pay interns directly including payroll related expenses, such as taxes.
Q: How many hours per week will interns work?
A: Interns work 20- 40 hours per week.
Q: How much does it cost to host an intern?
A: About $5,000 per intern, which includes their salary, payroll expenses, and a Dallas Works sponsorship of $1,250 per intern. Salary and payroll costs vary by pay rate and hours worked.
Q: What kind of internship experience is most valuable for the interns?
A: Our goal for interns is exposure to the world of work and engagement with business professionals. How this looks can vary. Companies have had interns contribute to research projects, support Social Media campaigns, support and participate in meetings, and other activities that develop transferable skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving. Opportunities to meet senior leaders and colleagues during meetings, events, and training help interns learn how professionals work together. We can provide sample internship activity forms to supervisors.
Q: What internship formats are best for interns?
A: Internships can be in-person or hybrid, including in office and virtual workdays. Dallas Works does not recommend fully virtual internships. Interns doing a hybrid format will need technology provided by the partner company. Other format options include rotation between departments, project-based, or embedded in a specific department.
Q: What skills does the intern have?
A: Most young people in internships are high schoolers. All have technical abilities and Dallas Works provide them with basic training on Microsoft Office Suite. For most young people, this is their first professional work experience.
Intern Support
Q: What makes Dallas Works different from other internship programs?
A: Dallas Works provides interns with 20+ hours of mandatory internship-specific training and a designated internship coach. In addition, many participants also participate in 12+ hours of career readiness workshops covering professional and communication skills, hosted by diverse businesses around the metroplex. Together, these experiences help them develop their professional performance and people skills. Dallas Works is open to students who meet the pre-internship requirements, demonstrating their desire to step outside their comfort zone, grow, and take advantage of the new opportunities it offers.
Q: How does Dallas Works support interns' professional growth?
A: In addition to career readiness preparation, we provide a supportive internship environment by preparing supervisors with training in youth development and providing an Internship Coach for both the intern and supervisor.
Q: How do we measure outcomes?
A: The All Stars Project has a statistically validated framework that measures 8 dimensions of development. Interns and internship supervisors will complete surveys that measure intern outcomes in each of these dimensions at the end of the program, along with overall satisfaction.
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Q: What kind of support do interns need during their internship?
A: Interns benefit from structured supervision, clear assignments, and exposure to professional environments. Assigning a primary point of contact helps ensure consistent communication and support.
Internship Host Company
Q: What is required of Internship Host companies?
A: Host companies pay interns directly at a minimum of $18/hour, assign at least one supervisor who will direct interns and provide ongoing mentorship throughout the summer. In addition, companies support supervisors by ensuring they participate in the mandatory Supervisor Development Training (early June), communicate regularly with their assigned Dallas Works Internship Coach, and have representation at the End of Internship Celebration.
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Q: Is there a minimum number of interns our company would need to host?
A: We target a minimum of five interns per company. Nonprofit organizations may take as few as two interns.
Q: My company cannot afford $5,000 per intern. Can we still participate this year?
A: Some organizations obtain corporate sponsors to help pay for interns at their company. To learn more, contact Natalie Sandifer here.
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Q: What if my company cannot offer full-time supervision?
A: Supervisors can share mentorship responsibilities. It works best to assign a primary point of contact for the intern and the internship coach to maintain clear communication throughout the internship.
Q: How do we get started?
A. Visit our Dallas Works website (https://www.dallassummerjobs.org/partner) today. We can consider internships sponsorships annually through April. Contact Lisa Linen here for additional opportunities past this timeframe.
Internship Supervisors
Q: Do supervisors need prior experience?
A: No. The program is a great way to provide supervisory experience for your future leaders.
Q: What is my role as an Internship Supervisor?
A: As an internship supervisor, you set the stage for intern success. You create a supportive development environment for interns to grow by providing projects, timely support, and performance direction. You introduce interns to new business stages, experiences, and people. You help them reflect on their growth and see opportunities to continue growing. It is also important to assign a primary point of contact for both the intern and the internship coach to ensure clear and consistent communication throughout the internship.
Q: What support does Dallas Works provide to supervisors?
A: A two-hour Supervisor Development Training to learn about and apply our youth development approach through performance activities that help supervisors practice responses that are developmental for young people. Internship coaches, ongoing check-ins, and written guides and tips are provided to help you create a meaningful internship experience for all.
Q: Do we need one full-time supervisor?
A: Supervisors can share mentorship responsibilities. It works best to assign a primary point of contact for the intern and the internship coach to maintain clear communication throughout the internship.
Corporate Sponsorship
Q: What if my company cannot host interns, but wants to sponsor the program?
A: Become a corporate program sponsor! Your contribution will be used to fund the program at local nonprofits and other organizations, enabling students to be exposed to a broad range of careers in Dallas. We make it easy for your company to sponsor interns at another organization. For more information, please contact Natalie Sandifer here.
Q: Are there other funding opportunities to support Dallas Works?
A: Yes! There are a variety of corporate underwriting opportunities at different giving levels, all of which come with strong promotional opportunities for your company.
Q: How do we get started?
A. Visit our Dallas Works website (https://www.dallassummerjobs.org/partner) today. Corporate giving opportunities are open year-round.
Nonprofit Organiations
Q: How many interns are nonprofits required to host?
A: Nonprofits are required to host a minimum of two interns. When submitting your internship host application, please indicate the maximum number of interns your organization can host.
Q: What is the cost for a nonprofit to host an intern?
A: Nonprofits contribute approximately $500 per intern. This cost is supplemented by sponsorship support from corporate or individual funders.
Q: Who pays the interns?
A: Nonprofits hire and pay interns directly, including wages and any related payroll expenses.
Q: How are payments structured for nonprofit partners?
A: Payment is typically distributed in two installments. In some cases, corporate sponsors may pay nonprofits directly.
Q: What reporting requirements do nonprofits have?
A: Nonprofits must submit two reports during the internship period: A mid-program progress report. A final report including a program summary and financial information.
Q: What documents are required to participate?
A: Nonprofits must submit the following: W-9 form All Stars Project vendor registration form Sub Award Grant Agreement.
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