Behind the counter of McDonald’s restaurants is far more than just a few grills, especially for young people looking to launch their careers. For young professionals like Will Moran, who started as a McDonald’s corporate intern in 2021 and now helps shape the brand’s voice as Manager of Field Communications in Chicago and Nashville, the McDonald’s internship program offers a pathway to success.

The McDonald’s internship program is more than just a summer job. It helps young people, like Will, find their purpose. 

What Is the McDonald’s Internship Program Like?

The McDonald’s internship program gives college students a front-row seat to all that happens underneath the Golden Arches. Interns work on projects that drive real change, and this year we’ll welcome a group of about 30 interns to our corporate office to work in different areas like Global Technology, Hospitality, the U.S. People team, U.S. Finance, and Development.

Applications for the program open each fall, and for 10 weeks each summer, current college juniors get exposure to McDonald’s leadership through Q&A sessions, explore different parts of the business, and get to take part in our vibrant culture through different social events. The internship program provides hands-on work experience that also gives interns a strong sense of the McFamily community.  

From Intern to Corporate Employee

Will’s background was rooted in an interest in writing and communicating with others, which led him to intern at McDonald’s on the U.S. People team.

During his internship, Will supported communications for the launch of McDonald’s U.S. People Brand Standards and supported the Archways to Opportunity program, which just celebrated its 10th anniversary after helping more than 90,000 participants and awarding more than $240 million in tuition assistance. Not exactly your average intern assignment. 

Beyond these projects, what stood out most to Will was the sense of belonging. He built strong bonds with fellow interns, many of whom he still calls friends today, and felt genuinely supported by the teams around him.  

After his internship, Will knew McDonald’s was more than just a summer stop and was instead a place where he could grow. He accepted a full-time offer from McDonald’s and helped craft executive communications for Tiffanie Boyd, who is McDonald’s current Global Chief People Officer. Later, he joined the Impact Team, where he now helps to share McDonald’s mission and values across the U.S.  

His current role includes everything from developing company-wide messaging to serving as the communications chair on McDonald’s Young Professionals Network. He’s still involved in telling the stories that matter, only now he’s doing it on a much bigger scale. 

What Are 4 Tips Current Interns Should Know About the Program?

Will has a few words of wisdom for anyone looking to land a McDonald’s internship and those who will be starting theirs in a few short weeks:

• Be curious. Ask questions. Lots of them! McDonald's didn’t bring you in to sit quietly, they brought you in because they believe in your potential.
• Build relationships. The people around you — your peers, your mentors, your managers — are your greatest resource. Make the effort to connect because you never know which coffee chat might turn into a career opportunity.
• Connect with fellow interns. Many of the people Will met during his time as an intern have blossomed into long-term friendships and become valuable connections.
• Believe in the mission. McDonald’s isn’t just about food, it’s about impact. Whether you’re working on community programs, sustainability initiatives, or internal communications, there’s a bigger purpose behind everything you do.

Will’s journey is proof that when you combine compassion, curiosity, and connection, amazing things can happen. He didn’t follow a straight path, but he followed the one that felt right. Lucky for us, that path was to the Golden Arches.