Growing MongoDB’s first intern and new-grad cohort for Design Program Managers
When I joined MongoDB the company already had a strong early talent pipeline for engineering, product, and design roles driven by a highly competitive internship program. However, the Design Operations team—newly grown from 1 to 8—lacked diversity in experience levels. Bringing in fresh perspectives was essential for our continued growth, and I knew that early talent had the potential to add immense value.
My VP of R&D Program Management questioned whether interns could handle the role’s complexities. He was understandably skeptical. Through data-backed discussions on the impact of early talent, I gained buy-in for a pilot: one program management intern for summer 2022. I assembled a small hiring team to select a candidate with strong potential, appointed a mentor, and curated an experience that would offer hands-on learning, ownership, and growth. Together, the mentor and I refined 25 project ideas into one impactful assignment that would push the intern while fostering a strong sense of accomplishment.
Our intern’s project? Facilitating a design principles workshop to align seven unique teams—a challenge that required careful planning, relationship-building, and resilience. Not only did she excel, but her success demonstrated the value of early talent in program management and operations, inspiring the technical program management team to bring on interns, as well. Since that summer, the R&D Program Management organization has welcomed around nine interns each year, with an 80% return rate.
Key insights from this experience shaped the early talent program we’ve continued to develop:
- Start with structured onboarding: even the brightest interns need context to succeed.
- Design projects with clear milestones and realistic goals, alongside stretch opportunities.
- Prioritize coaching on practical skills, from project work to resume and interview prep.
- Always consider future team growth and potential hires when placing interns.
Our pilot intern went on to become our first new-grad hire in design program management and now helps shape the intern experience for incoming cohorts. I’m passionate about working with early talent and hope to bring this initiative forward in my future roles.
Sarah Kasch 