Direct Supply is the inaugural recipient of Outstanding Employer Internship Program!

Sarah Broker, accepting the award on behalf of Direct Supply, with MACIC President-Elect Juli Pickering and President Tom Kipp
Direct Supply, one of Milwaukee’s fastest growing companies, is America’s leading supplier of equipment, services, and eCommerce systems to the long term care profession. Because of their continued growth, there is incredible opportunity at Direct Supply in a wide variety of areas, from sales to supply chain service to software engineering.
According to Wade Krogwold, Campus & Community Recruiting Manager, the company’s internship program is “not viewed as a short-term fix as Direct Supply is looking for long-term talent.” The current conversion rate from intern to full-time employee is 80-87%.
Direct Supply is very engaged with Wisconsin’s university community. They are active in on-campus recruiting by posting jobs, conducting on-campus interviews, and participating in career fairs. Representatives from Direct Supply are engaged in Employer Advisory Boards, serve as guest lecturers and panelists, and participate in mock interview programs.
Direct Supply also provides professional development opportunities for students. Interns go through a multiple orientations. A corporate sponsor program offers each intern a mentor from a cross-functional area and there is an intern-specific professional development series. Finally, Direct Supply values to learning focus of an internship. Each intern’s progress is determined by goals and objectives that are focused on outcomes.
Overall, Direct Supply encourages growth, embraces creativity, and provides a nurturing and supportive environment for interns.
Congratulations Direct Supply for the excellent work you do with your internship program!
In an effort to honor employers and partners from business, industry, government and other nonprofits, MACIC developed the Outstanding Internship Program award. It recognizes organizations who have distinguished themselves by developing quality internship programs. The award criteria include:

• University Engagement: The employer proactively establishes relationships with colleges and universities.
• Structured Internship Experience: The employer provides a well-structured internship experience.
• Professional Development Opportunities: The employer provides opportunities for the intern to grow professionally.

MACIC members submit nominations, and the MACIC Awards Committee selects the winner or winners. In any given year, as many as three Outstanding Internship Program awards may be given – Large Employers, Small Employers (fewer than 100 employees), Nonprofit/Public Sector.