Resources - March 28, 2025
By Timaeus Reed and Rodolfo Diaz
Internship programs are more than just an opportunity for students to gain experience. They have the power to shape careers, develop future leaders and strengthen industries, yet only if they’re done right.
At Goodwin Living, we know firsthand how an intentional, well-structured internship program can make a lasting impact. Since expanding our internship programs in 2022, we’ve welcomed high school students, undergraduate students and graduate-level students into our organization. We introduce them to career paths in senior living and healthcare while providing meaningful experiences that benefit both interns and our organization.
We are grateful that our internship program is valued by others, too. The Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) announced that Goodwin Living was selected as a 2024 “Top Employers for Interns” Award. This is the second consecutive year we’ve received this honor.
With our internship program vetted and “proofed out”, we are now sharing what we’ve learned.
We created the Goodwin Living Internship Playbook for any business or nonprofit looking to launch or improve an internship program. This guide provides a proven framework for attracting, training and mentoring interns in a way that benefits both organizations and future professionals.
If you’re asking questions like these, this playbook is for you:
With a growing demand for skilled professionals in healthcare and aging services, recruiting and retaining top talent has never been more important. Senior living and healthcare might not be the first career choice for many rising professionals, though many of those students haven’t been exposed to the meaningful, rewarding work we do.
That’s why we designed our internship programs with two primary goals:
And it’s working. Many of our former interns have joined Goodwin Living as full-time team members. Others may take different paths, though they leave with a deeper appreciation for our industry—and often become advocates for the importance of aging services.
Importantly, the lessons we’ve learned apply far beyond senior living. Every industry needs new talent, fresh perspectives and strong mentorship. That’s why we’re making our playbook available to any organization looking to build a sustainable workforce pipeline.
Across various industries, well-structured internship programs have become essential tools for workforce development, offering students invaluable hands-on experience while helping organizations cultivate future talent. As the labor market evolves, more institutions and businesses recognize the importance of bridging the gap between education and professional practice.
In the healthcare sector, the urgency of such programs is underscored by a critical workforce shortage, particularly in senior living. By 2040, an estimated 80.8 million Americans will be aged 65 and older. Approximately 20.2 million workers will be needed to care for them. By comparison, there are 1.38 million workers in nursing homes according to a Statista 2024 report and just under 500,000 workers in assisted living communities according to 2024 data from AHCA/NCAL. While there are many family members and private duty care professionals who provide care to older adults, they do not come close to bridging the gap between the demand and the supply of workers needed in senior living.
Internship programs that introduce students to careers in aging services can play a vital role in addressing these shortages by fostering interest and building a pipeline of skilled professionals.
Higher education institutions locally and from all over the country are also adapting to this need. For example, local universities such as Marymount University require mandatory internships for certain majors to enhance student employability, reflecting a broader trend in academia to integrate practical experience with academic learning. Collaborating with schools, universities and local organizations to create meaningful career pathways helps to strengthen community partnerships.
Similarly, major corporations invest in internship and training initiatives to address workforce shortages. Blackstone, a global investment firm, committed to expanding its internship and career training programs to strengthen its talent pipeline across industries, demonstrating how internships can be a proactive strategy for long-term workforce planning.
At Goodwin Living, our internship programs leads to measurable success. Interns tell us they were positively surprised by how much they enjoyed working in senior living, and many have gone on to join our team full-time after graduation. Interns leave with professional skills, networking connections, a deep sense of fulfillment and, in many cases, a strong desire to stay in the field.
Our internship program isn’t just about filling temporary roles—it’s about inspiring and shaping future careers. Here’s what some of our former interns had to say:
“I enjoyed getting to learn from the finance team, mingling with other departments, attending workshops, and spending time with my resident mentor.”
— Makeda R., Finance Intern
“There’s an opportunity to learn about almost any field here, with the added nuance of working in senior living. This program is well-structured, and I felt truly supported.”
— Katrina H., Marketing & Communications Intern
The Goodwin Living Internship Playbook [link] is a step-by-step guide for organizations looking to launch or refine an internship program. Key sections include:
At Goodwin Living, we believe that investing in young talent today means building a stronger workforce tomorrow. And we’re sharing this playbook because we know that every industry can benefit from thoughtful, intentional internship programs.
Are you ready to get started? Click here to access the playbook and take the first step toward building a more sustainable, engaged workforce.
If your organization is looking to attract new talent, develop leaders and create a pipeline for future employees, this playbook is your roadmap. By investing in internships, you can redefine the perception of your industry while giving students invaluable experiences that last a lifetime.
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Timaeus Reed is a Marketing and Communications Specialist at Goodwin Living. He plans, writes and designs for internal and external campaigns that support all areas of the organization. He relocated to D.C. to join the team in the summer of 2021. When he isn’t getting lost in traffic, Timaeus loves listening to live Go-Go music and stand-up comedy.
Rodolfo Diaz is a senior at Marymount University pursuing a degree in Business Administration and Marketing. He has been an intern at Goodwin Living since January 2025, supporting the Marketing and Communications team. During his time with Goodwin Living, Rodolfo designed promotional materials, managed social media content, drafted press releases, provided media photography and live stream support at corporate events and led testimonial interviews. Rodolfo is from San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
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