Purpose: The purpose of this study is to address the gaps in current internship research and practices which neglect the impact of work-based social support relative to the emerging Generation Z (Gen Z) workers' distinct work behaviours and the changing landscape of hospitality work, which has prompted businesses to attract interns into their workforce. Design/methodology/approach: Quantitative data collected from 161 Gen Z hospitality interns was analysed using partial least squares-sequential equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to determine whether and how work-based social support constructs, namely organisational support (OS), workplace connectedness (WC) and intern recognition (IR), influence internship satisfaction (IS) and career intentions (CI). Findings: The proposed structural model illustrated significant positive influences among OS, WC and IR in predicting IS and CI. Moreover, this study determines the mediating role of IS between the work-based social support variables and Gen Z hospitality interns' CI. Practical implications: These findings imply that managers and internship trainers should focus on work-based social support, such as valuing interns' professional growth and personal development and recognising their efforts to attract Gen Z interns to pursue a career in the organisation post-internship. Originality/value: This study provides novelty by extending the social support theory to incorporate work-based social support variables in predicting Gen Z hospitality interns' IS and CI.