Carrie Varoquiers’ Post

At Cornerstone Advisors we celebrate our interns. Here is are 3 take trends of this generation I am seeing: 1) They are hard working, inquisitive and willing to step into unknown areas WHEN we are willing to give them the opportunity. 2) Unlike many, they prefer working in the office and being around people. Something to keep in mind as we consider our offices. 3) They are hungry for feedback and direction. They are willing to take the feedback and change their approach. I have great expectations for the future. What are you learning from your 2023 Interns?

🚨 Attention all professionals! 🚨 Look no further! Introducing the countdown timer ⏱️, the ultimate productivity tool for your workday. With the ability to set a specific time and count down to zero, this timer will keep you focused and on schedule. And the best part? You have the option to stop, reset, and restart the timer as needed. Say goodbye to distractions and hello to increased efficiency. Task2: countdown timer #productivity #timemanagement #countdowntimer #worksmarternot #internship #webdevelopment #technohacks Sandip Gavit #mrsandipgavit

🤔 Considering hiring interns? Let's explore the fantastic benefits they bring to your organization: 1️⃣ Early Training of Potential Full-Time Employees: By providing interns with real-world experience and guidance, you can groom them to transition into valuable full-time team members.👩🏾🎓👨🏿🎓🧑🎓👩🏾🏫 2️⃣ Reduce Employee Workload: Interns can help lighten the load for your existing staff. This not only eases the pressure on employees but also allows them to focus on more critical assignments, boosting overall productivity.💪🏿 3️⃣ Foster Innovation: Interns distinct viewpoints and creative thinking can inspire your workforce to approach challenges in unconventional ways, fostering a culture of innovation.📊 4️⃣ Fresh Perspectives: Embracing interns means embracing diversity of thought. Their varied backgrounds, experiences, and knowledge can offer insights that may not have been considered before.🌄 5️⃣ Build Leadership Opportunities Among Rising Employees: By entrusting identified raising leaders with responsibilities and leadership roles, you empower interns to develop crucial skills and grow into influential assets for your team's success.👩🏿💻 Investing in interns not only benefits your organization in the short term but also lays the groundwork for sustained growth and excellence in the future. Join the intern revolution today and watch your team flourish! 💼✨ #Internship #TalentDevelopment #Innovation #Leadership

If we’re not supporting our Next Gen workers and leaders in socialising and collaborating in real-time, we are failing as leaders. We cannot burn out our interns before they’ve had a chance to shine! 🗣️  “According to a Financial Times report, it is especially impacting the traditional summer internship experience, leaving young professionals feeling lonely and disconnected from their job. Ambitious interns are struggling to impress employers and establish meaningful connections in hybrid environments where most of their colleagues are at home”.  👉  https://lnkd.in/dUsQQhbf #interns #burnout #remote #hybrid #work #nextgen #GenZ

One of my proudest achievements: investing in our nation’s future. Here’s how my internship creates razor-sharp tech talents: For years, I’ve run a summer internship for teens from Washington DC. Many choose my program over giants like Samsung and Accenture. Because here they don’t just shadow, but actively participate: • Interview real customers for real projects • Develop prototypes, learn coding, and deploy to AWS • Use the same tools and processes which my commercial company relies upon This internship is their springboard: they can talk confidently about creating a meaningful project, using the latest tech, for a real company. This year, interns an editable QR-code generator for one of my companies, TotalShield. This allows anyone to scan a QR code faceplate on one of our products and receive important data about ballistic and explosive protective properties. And the best part of this program? The standout performers from one year return as the leaders for next year. Take Eric, for instance. An intern a few years ago, he's now a full-time employee, returning each summer to coach and guide the new batch. This system not only fosters leadership but also ensures continuity and a standard of excellence. It’s a scalable model for talent development, ensuring a consistent pipeline of skilled employees. For anyone considering hosting interns, here's my advice: Dedicated Coaching: Splitting attention doesn't work. Hire a dedicated coach/ mentor available at all times. Fair Compensation: Value their time and effort with a deserving wage. Essential Workplace Skills: Don't assume they know the basics like professional dress, shaking hands, and how to communicate with a manager. Teach them. Meaningful Projects: Challenge them. Give them tasks that matter. I've seen firsthand the transformative power of investing in the right talent early on. If you want rock-solid employees for tomorrow, invest in them today. P.S ( I'm hugely grateful to On-Ramps To Careers, a fantastic nonprofit that organizes the interns from which I interview and select every year)

As intern season is upon us, I find myself reminiscing about the exciting beginning of my professional journey at Avanade. It all started with my internship back in the summer of 2022 in the Avanade NY Flatiron office—a pivotal moment captured in the picture you see here, taken on my very first day alongside fellow interns.   Being a first-generation college student, I remember feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation as I stepped into the corporate work environment for the first time. But it didn’t take long for those initial jitters to fade away as Avanade welcomed me with open arms. I found myself surrounded by a strong community and a vibrant company culture. From mentors who generously shared their wisdom to buddies who eased my transition, and senior leaders who inspired me—the guidance I received left an incredible mark on my role here.   For those embarking on their internships this summer, allow me to share five tips that can set you up for success:   1. Say Yes: Embrace every opportunity that comes your way. Attend meetings, participate in events—even if they seem unrelated to your role or interests. You never know where inspiration or your next opportunity might come from. 2. Ask Questions: Curiosity fuels growth. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to seek clarity. Your questions pave the way for deeper understanding. 3. Be Proactive: Take initiative. Capture insights during meetings, acquire new skills, and consider completing certifications. Your internship is a treasure trove of learning—make the most of it! 4. Network and Connect: Make connections with colleagues in similar roles, engage with senior leadership, and reach out to recent hires. Networking isn’t just about connecting on LinkedIn; it’s about building relationships. 5. Lastly, savor every moment. Your internship isn’t just about tasks and projects; it’s about growth, discovery, and building a foundation for your professional journey. Soak it all in, learn, and make lasting memories.   Here’s to a remarkable internship experience! #internship #avanade #interns

Week XI ✅✅ I watched a great movie called "The Founder" a while back, which tells the story of how McDonald's started and grew into the huge company it is today. This movie has been on my mind for various reasons since I watched it, but this week, I thought about it even more. The main lesson I took from it was about taking risks. This reflection began when I considered buying a course that could improve my technical skills in the long run and maybe help at work. Right now, the benefits aren't very clear, but I believe it could pay off in a few months or years, potentially creating opportunities I wouldn't have otherwise. The main reason it feels risky is the time I'd need to invest to become proficient, which is more valuable than anything. As Mark Zuckerberg said, "The biggest risk is not taking any risk... In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks." This was a fairly busy week as we're starting some new projects in the office, so my focus has been on that. Nevertheless, I hope you have a great weekend.🙂 #internship #tech #thoughts

Micro-internships enhance organizational flexibility and responsiveness by allowing companies to quickly adapt workforce capabilities to project demands. These short-term engagements enable organizations to scale their workforce up or down without the long-term commitments associated with traditional hiring processes. This flexibility is invaluable for companies facing fluctuating workloads or needing specialized skills on short notice. By integrating micro-internships into their strategic planning, companies can maintain a lean operation while ensuring they have access to the necessary skills when needed. This approach not only helps manage costs effectively but also keeps the organizational culture dynamic and adaptable to new challenges and opportunities.

Attention Tech Interns! Summer Internships across many organisations are just around the corner! Are you ready to kickstart your summer internship in the tech world? Whether you're interning at J.P. Morgan or elsewhere, here are some key tips to help you make the most of your experience: 1️⃣ Research, Research, Research: Dive deep into the company's culture, projects, and technologies. Understanding the landscape will help you hit the ground running. 2️⃣ Polish Your Technical Skills: Brush up on your coding skills and familiarise yourself with relevant programming languages and tools. Practice coding challenges and algorithms to sharpen your problem-solving abilities. 3️⃣ Stay Curious: Keep an open mind and be eager to learn. Ask questions, seek mentorship, and explore different areas within the tech field to broaden your knowledge. 4️⃣ Communication is Key: Effective communication skills are just as important as technical prowess. Practice articulating your ideas clearly and concisely, whether it's in meetings, presentations, or written communication. 5️⃣ Network Like a Pro: Connect with fellow interns, mentors, and professionals in the industry. Networking can open doors to new opportunities and valuable insights. (Don’t overdue it, get that fine balance of spending time on your project and making time for networking). 6️⃣ Take Initiative: Don't wait for tasks to come to you. Be proactive in seeking out opportunities to contribute and showcase your skills. 7️⃣ Embrace Feedback: View feedback as a gift that helps you grow. Actively seek feedback on your work and use it to continuously improve. 8️⃣ Stay Balanced: While it's important to work hard, don't forget to take breaks and prioritise your well-being. Maintain a healthy work-life balance to sustain your productivity and creativity. Remember, your internship is not just about gaining technical experience but also about personal and professional growth. Send every opportunity to learn, engage, grow and make an impact. Wishing you all a successful and fulfilling summer internship experience! #LearnEngageGrow

Hey there! I’m an Intern, and I’m here to tell you why the interns "DESERVE A CHANCE" to show what we’ve got! 🚀 💭 Fresh Ideas: We see things differently and come up with cool, new ideas that can really shake things up. 🧑🏻🎓 Tons of Energy: We’re super excited to work on new projects. Our enthusiasm is catching, and it can bring a lot of positive vibes to the team. 💡 Future Leaders: Right now, we’re learning the ropes, but soon, we’ll be the ones leading the way. Giving us a chance now means investing in a brighter future. 🚀 Quick Learners: We’re eager to learn everything we can. Every new experience helps us grow, and that’s good for everyone. 📱 Tech-Savvy: We’re always on top of the latest trends and tech. Our knowledge can help keep things fresh and up-to-date. 🤝 Diverse Backgrounds: We come from all sorts of different places and experiences, and that diversity brings fresh perspectives and ideas to the table. Give us the OPPORTUNITY to shine and make a real difference. 🌍✨