The Intern

Every now and then, an intern shows you what potential really looks like.
One summer, I had an intern who set herself apart almost immediately. Not because she talked the most - but because she did the work.

She jumped into real projects without hesitation. She built data models that actually helped decisions get made. And she earned the respect of operations managers and frontline team members through competence.

That doesn’t happen by accident. She asked smart questions. She listened before offering solutions. She led from the front. And she treated the role like an opportunity, not a placeholder. Great interns don’t wait to be managed. They look for ways to add value.

She reminded me that talent shows up early - and when it does, it’s obvious.
If you’re wondering what separates a good intern from a great one - it's
curiosity, ownership, and the courage to step into real work. Every leader hopes to have that intern on their team.