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Getting started guide

How to post your first internship and make it genuinely worth someone's time.

Quick start

  1. 01

    Create your organization

    Sign up as a host, add your name, website, and mission. Two minutes.

    Create organization →
  2. 02

    Write your first listing

    Describe the project, what the intern will build, and what they'll learn. Include a mentorship plan. Three to five minutes.

  3. 03

    Publish and share

    Listings go live immediately. Share on social, communities, and your network to reach candidates faster.

Writing a great listing

Title

Be specific about the role and project. Candidates scan titles fast.

Good: Frontend Developer Intern — React Dashboard Project

Vague: Web Developer Needed

Description

Explain the project, what the intern will build, and what they'll learn. Focus on outcomes, not requirements.

Example

You'll help build our public API documentation site using Next.js and TypeScript. You'll learn modern React patterns, API design principles, and work with our distributed team. By the end, you'll have shipped features used by thousands of developers and have real open-source contributions in your portfolio.

Mentorship plan

Be specific about how you'll support the intern. This is the most important section.

  • Weekly 30-minute async video check-ins to review progress
  • Code review on all pull requests within 48 hours
  • Slack channel for questions (response within 24 hours)
  • Monthly group learning sessions with the team
  • One-on-one feedback sessions every two weeks

Deliverables

What will the intern create that they can showcase? Be concrete about portfolio-worthy outputs.

  • 3–5 merged pull requests to our open-source repo
  • Technical blog post published on our site
  • Design system documentation with examples
  • Market research report with actionable insights
  • Video tutorial series (3–5 videos)

Tips for success

  • Start with beginner-friendly projects. Your first listing should be accessible to people with limited experience. More applications, less filtering.
  • Break large projects into smaller internships. Two to three shorter opportunities are easier to manage than one six-month commitment, and they attract more candidates.
  • Respond to applications within 3–5 days. Quick responses show you're serious and help you land the best candidates before they take something else.
  • Keep time commitments realistic. 5–15 hours per week works for most interns. If you need more, break it into phases.
  • Share your listing widely. Social, community Slacks, Discords, and email lists. The algorithm is not going to help you.

Good opportunities vs. red flags

Good

  • Clear, achievable project goals
  • Regular mentorship and feedback
  • Portfolio-worthy deliverables
  • Skill development focus
  • Realistic time expectations
  • Well-defined scope
  • Opportunities to learn from the team

Avoid

  • Vague "various tasks" descriptions
  • No mentorship plan
  • Unpaid grunt work disguised as internship
  • Unrealistic scope (full app in two weeks)
  • Requiring expensive tools or software
  • No clear learning outcomes
  • Demanding 40+ hours per week

Platform requirements

All listings on Async Interns must be:

Unpaid
No payment required or offered. Keeps the platform simple and legally accessible worldwide.
Remote
Work from anywhere with an internet connection.
Educational
Focus on learning and skill development, not just completing tasks.
Project-based
Clear deliverables that interns can showcase in their portfolio.

Frequently asked

How long does it take to get applications?
Most listings see their first applications within 3–7 days. Beginner-friendly opportunities with clear descriptions attract faster.
Do I need to be a registered nonprofit?
No. Open-source projects, side projects, and startups are all welcome. What matters is that you're offering real learning with real mentorship.
How many interns should I accept?
Start with 1–2 for your first opportunity. Once you've got a good mentorship process, scale up.
What if I get too many applications?
Close applications any time by marking the listing as filled. Screening questions help you filter up front.
How do I verify my organization?
Add your email domain when creating your organization. Matching email builds trust. Moderators can also verify manually.

Ready to post?

Create your organization and publish your first listing. Less than 10 minutes, start to finish.

Create organizationLearn more