National Interns Day: Recognizing the Shared Traits of Successful Interns and Executive Leaders

Each July, we recognize National Intern Day and are proud to celebrate the current and former interns who have helped build and scale Summit over the years. Interns bring diverse experiences and perspectives that drive innovation and help us deliver high-quality offerings to our clients. We are fortunate to welcome interns from a range of institutions, including the Organizational Science graduate program at UNC Charlotte, the Social-Organizational Psychology program at Teachers College of Columbia University, the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University, and the Leadership Signature Program at Clemson University.

A few years ago, I served on a panel at the SIOP (Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology) Annual Conference, offering guidance on how graduate students can secure and excel in internships. As someone who has led many graduate interns throughout my career, I reflected on the characteristics I value most when hiring. I realized that the same key traits that help early career professionals thrive are also essential for executive leaders with a decade or more of experience.

Here are a few attributes I prioritize when evaluating intern candidates:

• Ability to think critically and deeply. We look for individuals who are curious and inquisitive, not just task-takers. By asking questions and thinking critically, interns gain a deeper understanding of their work and often help us challenge assumptions and improve how we operate as a firm.
• Continuous improvement mindset. Graduate school can feel like a firehose of information. The most successful interns push through this and actively seek feedback to grow as professionals. They understand that being effective goes beyond technical expertise. It also involves learning how to collaborate and continuously improve.
• Client focus. Interns contribute to both internal and external initiatives. Regardless of the task, keeping the client’s needs in mind is critical. Interns who take the extra step to consider how their work impacts the client stand out as thoughtful, future-ready professionals.
• Team-oriented approach. While it is natural for interns to want to stand out, success should not come at the expense of collaboration. Interns who embrace a “one team” mindset are more valuable than those focused solely on self-promotion.

Interestingly, these same characteristics are also vital for executives leading and scaling a business. The hunger to learn, the openness to feedback, the willingness to be uncomfortable, and the curiosity to explore are qualities that define both great interns and great leaders. Whether just starting out or leading at the highest level, thriving in a growth environment requires a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. Ultimately, we want our interns to learn and grow, just like the senior leaders we assess and coach.