Desiree' D. Powell, CNU-A’s Post

It’s almost summer and it’s time for sun ☀️, sand 🏖️, and summer interns 🙂! Summer can be a great time to take on those back-burner projects you’ve been pressing pause on during the busy season. Bringing someone on for a temporary part-time project could be a great way to get you extra bandwidth and help less experienced workers learn on the job. Check out my blog post https://lnkd.in/eAJhEw7z for more details on all the reasons why PAID internships are the way to go: Attract top talent and live into your values of creating great places to work! 

"Interns aren't just responsible they're also a responsibility" My last internship has taught me "absolutely nothing" might be not completely right! I was being assigned the work but was never told how to complete it. It was hard for all the interns to get the work done and make progress, and they never told us about the approaches we could have used to get the things done. Meetings were never about approaches, it was only about the progress report. It was like we're responsible for the work we've been assigned but they're not responsible for us. When I was talking to my senior interns, it turned out they didn't even receive the stipend they were promised to. This really has put my morale down, and left me questionable that what am I getting out of it? So I figured out myself only. In the corporate world nobody is going to hold your hand and help you cake walk the hurdles. You've to hustle and you've to learn all by yourself through and through. The corporate world is a fantasy only on the internet, in reality we have to hustle to get things done. Ps. Ideas and skills never come easy, it is our tough times and experiences that make it seem effortlessly done.

We were hearing from students who were losing their internships and professors worried for students at risk of not graduating. We ran several focus groups with students and quickly realized that we would never replace the in-person experience of an internship, but we could help with everything else they wanted. And a crazy idea was born. What if we created a fully virtual internship experience? So we did it. And it went viral. People from all over the country and world started to share about The Externship, and the idea took off. But something else happened. We thought we were solving a problem for college juniors and seniors who lost their internships, but we started to see others join: career changers, veterans, stay-at-home parents looking to get back into the workforce, and even a few high-school students. We discovered that we were actually solving a much larger problem … Access to financial planning. No longer was this field inaccessible to the stay-at-home parent who couldn’t do an internship or the career changer who wasn’t in a position to quit their job or the college student who couldn’t afford an internship or didn’t even know to do one. Since the first Externship, we have trained over 3,200 aspiring financial planners, and they're an incredible and diverse group. We've shown them what a career in financial planning looks like, and they have shown us their passion and vision to reach more and have an even greater impact. As we gear up to open registration for this summer’s Externship, I can’t help but reflect on what a wild ride this has been. It's only possible because of the wide support of so many within the financial planning community. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. The sheer number of people who have volunteered their time, shared the Externship or, best of all, taken the Externship is astonishing. The Externs are here to have an impact and change things. I can’t wait to meet this year’s Externs!

FACTS: ✅ Securing a junior summer internship is CRUCIAL—95%+ of full-time offers go to this group. ✅ You’re running out of time... ✅ Recruitment for 2027 grads (2026 Summer Internships) is ALREADY KICKING OFF! 5 STEPS TO GET READY: ✅ Get your resume & LinkedIn profile reviewed by a pro ✅ Master finance theory to crush the technicals ✅ Craft 6-7 polished stories to ace the fit questions ✅ Start networking NOW—aim for ~10 calls/week ✅ Complete 6 mocks with industry pros It’s a lot, but don’t stress—if you need guidance, we’ve got your back. 🎯 Apply to WSO Academy NOW >>> 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gN9yH8gM #investmentbanking #wallstreet #financecareers

When I graduated, I had big dreams of landing my dream job with a great salary right away. I promised myself that I would never settle for less. But life had other plans for me. I found myself doing unpaid internships for over 6 months, struggling to make ends meet. As my internship was coming to an end, I received a job offer with a salary that would barely cover my rent in a boarding house. I was frustrated and ready to turn it down. That's when I called my mom to vent, expecting sympathy. Instead, she asked me a simple question: "Who can give you that money for free?" That question hit me hard. I realized that sometimes, we need to start small and grow from there. It's not just about the money; it's about the experience, the learning, and the growth. Small beginnings and baby steps are just the starting point, not the destination. So, if an opportunity comes knocking, don't dismiss it just because the pay isn't what you hoped for. See it as a chance to grow, to learn, and to build your career. Trust me, you'll thank yourself later. Embrace the journey, embrace the challenges, and trust that your hard work will pay off in the long run. ✨ #CareerGrowth #EmbraceOpportunities #SmallBeginnings #PersonalDevelopment

A place to learn and a place to build a career.

⭐ INTERNSHIPS MATTER ⭐ ✏️ Women were less likely than men to complete paid internships. 1️⃣ First-generation college students were more than three times less likely to complete paid internships compared to their peers. 💼 Only 2% of Californians who earned bachelor’s degrees at age 30 and older participated in internships, compared to 39% of younger graduates.

A Friendly Reminder to Companies Hosting Interns. To all the amazing companies out there offering internship opportunities—first off, thank you for giving students the chance to learn and grow in a real-world environment. However, there’s a concern that needs to be addressed. It’s been over 1.5 months, and one of my friend have yet to receive their stipends. This is more than just a delay—it’s a significant challenge for many of these young professionals. Remember, most interns are students, and they rely on timely payments to cover their basic needs, whether it’s transportation, meals, or other expenses. A delayed payment can put them in a tough spot, affecting their productivity and overall experience. 💼 So here’s a gentle reminder: please prioritize paying your interns on time. It’s a simple act of respect and appreciation for the effort they’re putting in, and it speaks volumes about your company’s Thank you!

🔥🔍 **Unlock the Quirky Secrets of Summer Interns!** 💼👶 Have you noticed the unusual behavior of today’s interns? 🤔 From building beds in offices to tearful meltdowns over tech gear, there’s a trend that's hard to ignore! ✨ **Key Insights:** - **Office Culture Shift:** Adaptability is key in this new internship landscape. - **Communication Breakdown:** Are we equipping interns with the right tools? - **Empathy Matters:** Understanding their unique backgrounds can bolster team dynamics. 💡 **Pro Tip:** Foster a supportive environment! Regular check-ins and training can transform these quirks into strengths. 👉 **What do you think? Thumbs up 👍 or down 👎?** #InternshipInsights #WorkplaceCulture #EmpathyInBusiness #Leadership #TeamDynamics #InternExperience #GenerationZ #AmazingInterns #BusinessGrowth 🌟

About every year, I pick this fight. Summer internships should be paid opportunities for students. Even if they are getting course credit. Even if your prestigious firm will probably make the intern a lucrative offer upon graduation. Unpaid internships provide an unfair advantage to students from wealthy backgrounds who can afford to work for free. Many students don't come from means and see college as a stepping stone up the economic ladder. They need to make money during the summer to pay rent, utilities, and food during the school year. If you only pay "experience" for summer internships, you are missing out on a tremendously deep pool of talented students. People with brains and grit who could be real game-changers for your company in the future - but have to make the economic choice to work elsewhere over the summer.