July 27th is quickly approaching, which means it's time to gear up for a special day of celebration: National Intern Day! This workplace holiday provides an excellent opportunity for companies to acknowledge and express gratitude for their contributions. Interns play a vital role in the workforce and bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and enthusiasm to the organizations and employees they support.
In this week’s blog feature, we’re sharing the significance of internship programs, introducing you to Cultivate’s summer interns, and the impacts of appreciating interns in the workplace.
Reasons to celebrate and appreciate internship programs
- A Pool of Talent and Potential: Interns often represent a pool of young and aspiring professionals eager to learn and grow. They bring enthusiasm, energy, and a willingness to tackle new challenges head-on. These individuals often possess diverse skill sets, ranging from technical expertise to creative problem-solving abilities, making them valuable assets to any team.
- Bridge the Skills Gap: Interns can bridge the skills gap within an organization. Their fresh knowledge from academia and up-to-date understanding of the latest technologies can infuse new life into traditional practices. They are often well-versed in digital tools and platforms, providing a valuable perspective in navigating the modern business landscape.
- Promote a Dynamic Work Culture: The presence of interns promotes a dynamic work culture. Their eagerness to learn and adapt to new environments encourages full-time employees to share knowledge and mentorship. This mentorship fosters a collaborative environment that boosts overall productivity and nurtures a sense of camaraderie among team members.
- Infuse Innovation and Creativity: Interns often bring a fresh pair of eyes to the organization. Their lack of preconceived notions and unique perspectives can lead to innovative solutions and creative breakthroughs. By encouraging their active participation, companies can tap into a wealth of untapped potential and embrace change.
- Gaining a Fresh Perspective: Often, long-term employees may become entrenched in their routines, leading to a lack of innovation and forward-thinking. Interns, on the other hand, provide fresh perspectives and challenge the status quo. Embracing these ideas can revitalize a company's approach and strategies.
Meet Cultivate’s summer interns
In an effort to reap the benefits mentioned above, we launched an internship program this spring. After searching and interviewing, three incredible college students were selected and quickly became a part of the Sales team. Sean, Portia, and Oscar are our three newest Gifting Experts in training, each of them working collaboratively with the rest of the team and cross-departmentally to gain insight into corporate culture, best business practices, and how a B2B organization like Cultivate operates. Each of them plays their own part in helping Cultivate be its best — from outbound prospecting, client communication, managing our CRM database, and much more! We’re thankful for their support and excited for their futures as they continue their professional development.
To help you get to know Sean, Portia, and Oscar better and hear first-hand about how impactful internship programs can be for future leaders and employees, we conducted a Q&A. Here’s what they shared about their experience:
Q: What college do you go to?
Oscar: Rising Junior at CU Boulder
Portia: Colorado College, entering Senior year.
Sean: CU Boulder; junior going into senior year.
Q: What are you studying?
Oscar: Business Major, Dual Emphasis in Marketing and Information Management
Portia: Business Economics and Society
Sean: Leeds School of Business studying Marketing and Management
Q: What about Cultivate interested you when applying for our internship program?
Oscar: I had never heard of corporate gifting. Once I looked into it, I realized that there is a huge market for it, and it is a groundbreaking idea and industry. Plus, I am interested in sales, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to explore it.
Portia: I was looking for a smaller company with a tight-knit culture and community to learn in. I loved Cultivate’s company ethos and was excited at the opportunity to gain experience in areas that I need professional development in.
Sean: I was looking for a place where I could apply what I have been learning in school, along with a company culture that was open to mentoring. It just seemed like the perfect fit.
Q: What have you learned so far during your internship?
Oscar: I have gained invaluable knowledge from the Sales team just by listening to their day-to-day conversations and how they operate. Additionally, I have started to learn and practice cold calling and have familiarized myself with both HubSpot and Apollo.io platforms which are key to CRM.
Portia: I have enjoyed the interaction with real professionals vs. my peers, as this has taught me what to expect when I graduate and how to work in a professional environment. I have also enjoyed listening to how the Business Development Managers communicate with clients and gaining insights and tricks for communicating with potential clients.
Sean: So far, I have enjoyed interacting with a professional team and seeing how they interact with an intern that is new to the profession. This has allowed me insight into the “real world” workplace versus what you expect when you’re still in college.
Q: What has been your favorite part about the internship thus far?
Oscar: My favorite part of the internship is the people I work with. Everyone has something new to bring to the table, and we all get along great. The work environment has always been very important to me.
Portia: I love working with the Sales team, collaborating, not just being tasked with busy work. I also love getting mentorship from EZ and Rebecca.
Sean: My favorite part is getting to know the Sales team; everyone has been fun to interact with and is willing to spend their time teaching, mentoring, and helping.
Q: What are your plans or goals after completing this internship and graduating?
Oscar: I will be starting my 3rd year of college and would love to work at Cultivate part-time during the school year.
Portia: This internship helped me realize what I value in terms of a work-life balance and whether or not I have a preference for a remote vs. in-person vs. hybrid model. I have also validated that I do actually enjoy business and sales more than alternate routes like teaching.
Sean: I am looking forward to graduating. So far, I have no set plan, but as a rising Senior, I plan on taking this new knowledge with me into the classroom and seeing where things take me. Ideally, once I graduate, I would like to start working somewhere in the sales and marketing space.
Q: How do you think this internship will prepare you for your future career?
Oscar: This internship has provided me with practical experiences, skills, and industry knowledge that will significantly contribute to my future career in sales. I am confident that the hands-on exposure and valuable skills gained during this internship will serve as a strong foundation for my success in the sales field.
Portia: My main takeaway is assessing happiness and finding an industry that encourages that and facilitates joy. I realized that real business can happen without the soulless reputation that you hear about the corporate world. This makes me excited to jump into my future career.
Sean: Having experience in a work environment with experienced professionals has guided me to pursue a career that makes people happy, something like gifting.
Q: Now that you know more about our business, our approach, and the “why” behind what we do, what do you think about corporate gifting?
Oscar: I believe corporate gifting plays a crucial role in strengthening client relationships and fostering a culture of appreciation. Additionally, it serves as a powerful tool for building rapport, enhancing brand loyalty, and leaving a lasting impact on recipients.
Portia: As a college student who loves free stuff, I understand the joy and excitement of getting a gift and the excitement that continues over the years each time you get to use that gift.
Sean: I think it’s great; it is a small thing that can lighten someone’s day, which is something that I think is really cool.
National Intern Day is an excellent opportunity for companies and individuals alike to appreciate and recognize the immense value that interns bring to the table. Their passion, dedication, and fresh perspectives make them invaluable members of any team. By providing internships and fostering a supportive work environment, we contribute to their growth and the future of our organizations and industries. So, let's take this day to celebrate interns and express our heartfelt appreciation for their contributions!
Are you ready to deliver meaningful and personalized appreciation they'll love, use, and remember their experience with your company? Look no further! Book a demo of our Online Gifting Platform to see how it works. You can sign up on the same day and send your interns a premium gift of their choice to their inbox in just a few seconds.
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