You’ve got to start somewhere. For me, it was with a summer job. I was enthusiastic, full of ideas, and ready to roll up my sleeves, an approach that still defines me today. Now, as CEO and Founder of Atrium, I get to witness that same energy, vibrancy, and knowledge in the talented young people I see entering the workforce. You’ll often hear me tout the fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and invigorating energy that early talent brings, and that’s for good reason.
From the intern programs we design and run at some of the world’s biggest companies to the bright individuals we have right here in our own offices, these interns are poised to be tomorrow’s leaders. Embracing these young professionals can lead to remarkable outcomes, with over 70% of employers offering their interns full-time positions and an impressive 80% acceptance rate among them.
Nurturing the Next Generation
Last week, Atrium celebrated National Intern Day by making a special contribution to #TeamTrees. We donated one tree per internship we filled, totaling 1,909 trees, to the Arbor Day Foundation’s efforts. This gesture symbolizes the growth and promise of the talented individuals we’ve connected with companies across the nation. It is a powerful reminder that intern programs are not just about mundane tasks, but about mutual growth and benefit for both the employer and the intern.
Investing in early talent allows businesses to sow seeds for the seasons to come. It enables them to cultivate a highly engaged and motivated future workforce. And, for me, there’s nothing more fulfilling than helping the next generation discover their passions and recognize their strengths while watching them flourish.
Gen Z at Work
Today’s interns are part of Generation Z, bringing with them unique expectations, needs, and skills. In my experience, they are driven by a desire to play an active role in their own learning and seek internship programs that offer the opportunity to work alongside experienced employees and take ownership of their career journey.
Offering a strong organizational culture and supportive work environment that align with their long-term career aspirations (like we do here at Atrium), make internships an ideal platform for this new generation of interns to acquire hands-on experience and new skills.
This generation of interns is having a transformative impact within our own doors through Atrium’s internship program. Throughout the summer, our interns are actively involved in brainstorming sessions, mind mapping, and focus groups. Their curiosity and desire to excel bring new ideas and a laser-like focus into our culture.
Future-Ready Internship Programs
Intern programs should never be just about what we can teach interns; it’s also about what they can teach us. It’s a virtuous circle in action. By providing opportunities for interns to share their views, we are inviting new perspectives to the table. Gen Z is critical to the new world of work, and its paramount to mentor and develop this new talent. Our goal is not only to put interns to work but to train them for the future.
In light of this, we are committed to redesigning intern programs, always striving to build something better. By reimagining intern programs and recognizing the immense value that young talent brings, we foster environments that prioritize learning, collaboration, and growth while fueling innovation and revitalizing our workplace. Early Talent initiatives have always been a net positive: an infusion of fresh ideas from tomorrow’s leaders and thinkers and a significant investment in the future talent pipeline.
