Next week ─ July 31, to be exact ─ is National Intern Day. This year’s national theme is “Empowering Future Leaders,” which feels appropriate after interviewing a handful of FTI’s 76 summer interns.

These young people present themselves as leaders already, and their internships are only adding to their depth of knowledge and real-world experience. Read on for observations, insights and words of appreciation from five FTI interns.

Real-World Projects and Real Results

“They put me on a project ─ proposal formatting ─ that includes all the details of a different project; the scope of work, list of clarifications and inclusions and exclusions.” ─ Elizabeth

“I’m being given real tasks that they’re going to use. Projects I’ve been working on today are going to go fully into effect after they get looked over.” ─ David

“I designed a new sticker, including review and revisions. I also worked on the Women’s Leadership Conference where FTI is the presenting sponsor.” ─ Meredith

“I’m working on drug tests and verifying people’s employment. It feels good that I’m reaching out with other professionals to support them.” ─ Aaron

"I can grow and learn in the company with great people who are willing to help. FTI is a great place to do that, and where you can apply it when you go back to school." - Meredith Posanski, Graphic Design Intern
"You're actually contributing something to the company instead of just ... tagging along." - Elizabeth Basgby | Preconstruction Management Intern
"(When choosing an internship), pick the company not based off of numbers but based on the people you're going to work with; you gotta love the company." - Aaron Passinault | Talent Intern
"This is my first internship, so I went in with an open mind. The team that I've been working with has been great." - Anna McCartney, Talent Intern

Overcoming Challenges = the Best Way to Learn

“Keep in mind that you’re not always going to do the right thing, and that’s OK. That’s how you learn.” ─ Anna

“From a design perspective, it’s a lot different from school. You’re working with a team; you’re working to make something.” ─ Meredith

“They’re exposing me to new markets when it comes to different electrical insulation and processes. I have my mentors that I could ask to guide me in the right direction, but they’re not doing it for me.” ─ David

“It’s been trial-and-error to try and figure out what works. That’s been a huge learning curve.” ─ Elizabeth

Mentors Make a Difference

“Mentors help the intern learn the best way to progress in their career. Me and my mentor talked about it and kind of just discussed how to give me meaningful tasks to do and just let me figure it out.” ─ David

“They’ve been awesome answering any questions we have, letting us shadow during our free time and just trying to learn as much as possible.” ─ Anna

“My mentor wanted to know my education, what classes I took and all the things that I’ve done. That’s great, but that’s not really who I am. They also took time and asked me about me.” ─ Aaron

“I’ve never had an experience where I have so many people around me that are able to help me. There’s so many other designers, and everybody around me is willing to help.” ─ Meredith

Advice for Future FTI Interns

“Keep an open mind, explore all your options, make use of your resources and make connections.” ─ Elizabeth

“You’re not going to know as much as you think you know. Be willing to learn, and then just connect with as many people as possible.” ─ David

“Any place can give you an internship, but a lot of the things that make opportunities unique are the people that you get to work with and kind of the support that you have.” ─ Aaron