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Cardinal Health is among the top 20 programs in the country to be recognized for excellence in Early-Career Engagement. Their application demonstrated excellence in crafting intentional keep-warm strategies, building community, preventing reneges, fostering mentorship, and successfully converting interns to full-time roles. Below, you’ll find the highlights of their award-winning application including the proudest achievements of their early-career engagement strategies.
Abode is proud to recognize Cardinal Health for their strong approach to early-career engagement.
Read what this organization had to say about their winning strategies.
“Our team takes pride in a structured “keep warm” strategy that keeps interns engaged from offer acceptance through day one. We combine personalized touchpoints (recruiter check-ins, monthly newsletter, manager check-ins, peer connections) with curated pre-hire events—such as virtual and in-person networking sessions, program previews, business segment overviews and Q&As—to build early relationships and excitement. This approach not only helps interns feel connected to Cardinal Health before they start, but also sets clear expectations and fosters a strong sense of belonging, which we’ve seen translate into higher engagement and smoother onboarding experiences.”
“Our team is proud of a community-building strategy that intentionally connects interns across functions and experiences. Cohort networking circles create space for meaningful peer connections, while our LinkedIn group with bi-weekly posts keeps engagement consistent and visible. We also host networking events with past interns to foster mentorship and provide career insights, complemented by in-person networking opportunities that deepen relationships. Together, these touchpoints build a strong sense of belonging and ensure interns feel connected—not just to their team, but to the broader Cardinal Health community.”
This organization had one of the lowest renege rates among their peers who applied.
In their application, they cited helping candidates see long-term career growth during the interview process, regular communication with new hires between acceptance and start date, and connecting new hires with peers before the start date as the top 3 reasons for their low rate.
“Our team is proud of an ambassador-based mentorship model that connects incoming hires with past intern peers from the moment they accept their offer through their start date. These ambassadors serve as approachable, trusted resources—helping answer questions, share insights, and build early connections in a more informal setting. This ongoing support complements recruiter and manager outreach, ensuring interns feel comfortable, informed, and connected throughout their pre-start journey. The program strengthens relationships early and helps interns build confidence and a sense of belonging before day one.”
This organization had one of the top internship to full-time conversion rates among their peers.
“One aspect we intentionally design to drive full-time return offers is a high-impact, immersive experience that combines meaningful work, strong connections, and clear career pathways. Interns are given robust, business-critical projects, along with opportunities to network across functions, engage with senior leadership, and invest in their personal development. An annual team-building event further strengthens peer relationships. We also take a thoughtful hiring approach—aligning intern class size with full-time opportunities—so interns can clearly see their future at Cardinal Health and feel confident in returning.”
