MENLO SCHOOL • SINCE 1915

Building the Future Together

A Guide for Internship Partners and Mentors

Thank You for Opening Doors 

Thank you for considering hosting a Menlo School intern. By opening your doors, you’re not just offering a summer job—you’re shaping the trajectory of a young person’s life. You’re showing them what’s possible when learning moves beyond the classroom and into the real world.

Our interns come prepared to add value and contribute meaningfully to your organization from day one. They’re ready to learn, ready to work, and ready to be challenged. What they need from you is an environment where they can test their skills, develop new ones, and discover what meaningful work feels like.

“This internship changed what I wanted to study and what I
wanted to do with my life. I see things differently now. My mentor made all the difference.”

This guide is designed to make hosting as straightforward as possible. We’ll walk you through what Menlo provides, what we ask of you, and how we support you every step of the way. Together, we’re creating opportunities that bridge the gap between education and experience—and we’re grateful to have you as a partner in this shared vision.


The Menlo Partnership

How We Prepare Our Students

  • Resume & cover letter expertise
  • Interview preparation
  • Workplace communication norms
  • Students ready to contribute and be challenged

Who You Can Expect

  • Motivated rising seniors (age 17) ready to contribute
  • Students prepared for professional communication
  • Interns focused on adding value to your organization

What We Handle

  • Student check-ins
  • Program feedback collection
  • Teaching proactive mindsets
  • Host support

What We’re Asking

  • Day-to-day guidance
  • Workspace setup
  • Company onboarding
  • HR requirements

In short, Menlo delivers prepared, motivated students ready to add value. You provide the real-world learning environment and mentorship.

 

 

What Students Value Most

In Their Own Words

 

“My supervisor treated melike part of the team, notjust a student observingfrom the sidelines. Thatconfidence they showed inme changed everything.”

“The weekly check-insgave me direction. I neverfelt lost or unsupported.”

“I had real responsibilitiesthat made a difference.The work I did actuallymattered to the team.”

“I got honest feedback that helped me grow. I could see what I was doing well and where I could improve.”


What Students Need

  • High expectations
  • A meaningful project with real impact
  • Opportunities to demonstrate their growth
  • Regular, constructive feedback

Why it Matters

  • Students want to be challenged and taken seriously as contributing team members
  • Authentic work builds skills and confidence while showing students the real impact they can make
  • Regular opportunities to demonstrate progress help

Timeline


November—January: Hosts Confirm Interest

You let us know you’d like to host an intern for the summer.

January—February: Matching Process

We introduce students to hosts based on skills, interests, and availability.

March—April: Final Confirmations

Logistics, schedules, and expectations are finalized.

June—August: Internships Take Place

Students work, learn, and grow in your organization.

 

Choosing Your Intern

Three Options to Consider


Let Menlo Assign

We’ll match you with a student based on your needs and their interests. This is the simplest option—just tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll handle the rest. 


Review & Select

We’ll send you 2-3 student profiles (resumes and brief bios). You choose who you’d like to work with, and we’ll make the introduction.


Review, Select & Interview

We’ll send you profiles, you select finalists, and you conduct brief interviews (virtual or in-person) before making your decision.



Important Reminders:

Most hosts choose Option 3, where we send you a small bundle of
qualified applicants to interview. But we’re happy to facilitate whatever
works best for you.

  • Communicate dates and hours to all candidates via the partnership intake form
  • Students should be flexible to your schedule
  • Clearly communicate what’s needed (forms, background checks, etc.)

Keys to Success

What Some Hosts Have Done That Students Appreciated

Hosting doesn’t need to be complicated. Here’s what has worked well for past partners—simple, thoughtful touches that made a big difference:

  • Arranged a workspace (even just a shared desk worked great)
  • Quick tour and warm introductions on the first day
  • Brief weekly check-ins (even 15 minutes made a difference)
  • Explained communication norms (Slack, email, etc.)
  • Included interns in meetings and collaborative moments
  • Gave honest feedback at mid-point and conclusion
  • Recognized that interns were there to add value—not just shadow. They contributed real work.

The best internships happen when hosts see real contributions from their intern—it’s a win-win because the intern discovers what they’re truly capable of.

Remember: Onboarding procedures vary between institutions. Follow the approach that best fits you. You do not need elaborate welcoming plans or packets.
What matters most is making students feel welcomed, giving them real work and checking in regularly. That’s it.

Contact Information

Dylan Cummins
Menlo School Internship Coordinator

Personal Cell: 720-750-2855
Email: internship@menloschool.org

We believe in no news is good news over the summer—a sign things are going well. But we’re here to support you with anything and everything. Reach out with questions, concerns, or feedback at any point.

When to Reach Out:

  • Questions about program or timing
  • Support with matching or selection
  • Concerns during the internship
  • Feedback about your experience

With Gratitude

Every summer, Menlo Interns step into internships eager to learn and take on new challenges. And every summer, they return transformed—more confident, more curious, and more certain about the paths they want to pursue. They’ve seen what’s possible. They’ve tested their abilities. They’ve learned what meaningful work feels like.

This happens because of you.

Thank you for your partnership, your mentorship, and your belief in what young people
can achieve when given the opportunity. We’re honored to work alongside you.

 

Thank You to our Past Partners

STEM Research & Healthcare

Stanford Medicine (Radiology & Applied
Physics Departments)
Stanford University, Department of Applied
Physics
Roivant Sciences
Concha Labs
L&P Aesthetics

Technology & Software

Buddy (usebuddy.io)
GovGPT
Atherton.com
InPlay AI
Lightly AI
Prophet Security
WindBorne Systems

Venture Capital & Finance

Bain Capital Ventures (BCV Labs)
Decibel Partners
HealthACE Business Intelligence

Business, Marketing & Real Estate

Alan Wang Realty Group
Julia Anderson Marketing
Nuro

Community Service, Nonprofit & Civic
Impact

California Reentry Institute - Boundless
Freedom
Branch Services
CORA - Tony’s Closet
Havensafe
Sinkumunchis
UW Innovations
Peninsula Bridge
Political Advance

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