Celebrating the Newest Members of Your Team with Thoughtful Branding
As summer internships get underway, there’s one small but mighty way to help your interns feel welcomed, seen, and proud to be part of your company. It's great swag!
In a recent conversation with my youngest daughter who just began her internship in NYC, she remarked on how the swag she got was minimal, and it had acronyms on it that she didn't understand. Talk about a missed opportunity! I told her I had to write about this to help our corporate gifting community.
A year or two ago, we conducted a survey that showed longtime employees often appreciate minimal or even non-branded gifts (think understated water bottles, gift cards, or experiences), however, interns are a completely different story. They want the logo front and center. A branded t-shirt? Yes, please. A department-specific dad hat? Even better. For many interns, this is their first corporate experience, and they are proud, really proud, to show it off.
This generation lives online. They’re on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and they follow each other. They tag your company. They post “First Day!” selfies. That logo becomes part of their digital story, and in turn, part of yours.
But here’s the catch: the swag must be intentional.
- Avoid acronyms. Interns don’t know what “GRC” or “BETS” means, and neither does anyone outside your org. Spell it out: “Global Risk and Compliance” or “Black Employee Talent Support.” The clarity shows respect for their newness.
- Include both the company and department name. It helps them identify their place in the bigger picture.
- Go for items they’ll actually use and wear. Branded journals, pens, mugs, and comfortable tees go far. Bonus points for thoughtful touches like a gift card to the building’s cafeteria or nearby lunch spot (just enough to ease the awkwardness of that first solo lunch break)!
Thoughtful swag isn’t just branding, it’s culture-building. When done right, it tells your interns: You belong here, and we’re proud you chose us. And that’s a message worth wearing.
Here’s to a summer of learning, growth, and showing up on campus, on IG, and at the office!
Constance Panton
CEO, Founder - Bifties Gifts