What is your favorite travel memory?
My favorite travel memories are the experiences I had exploring and getting to know our destinations. I climbed 649 steps to the top of El Peñón de Guatapé in Colombia which is an enormous rock once worshiped by the Tahamies Indians. I was able to experience London's Big Ben and Tower Bridge in person. And I spent my weekends watching flamenco dancing, eating tapas, and photographing the jaw-dropping beauty of Spanish architecture while in Madrid.
Which destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?
I believe our most underrated destination is our emerging market program in Medellin, Colombia. It has so much to offer young professionals who want an experience off the beaten track in a rapidly developing economy. And if you're language-driven, there's no better way to learn Spanish than to immerse yourself in a native-speaking environment. Colombian Spanish is actually known to be one of the easiest forms of Spanish to pick up and learn. On the contrary, I don't gravitate towards destinations that don't challenge you to step outside your comfort zone and grow as an individual.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
The biggest factor is to truly believe in what you are doing. Each of us go into work every day with a passion to make a difference in the lives of our interns. We truly care about offering our interns' the best possible experience for them professionally and culturally. I know personally that is immensely rewarding to hear our alumni come back and express how the program has changed their lives professionally and opened up their mind culturally.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
I have consistently taken on more responsibility and have been challenged in ways I hadn't been in previous positions in my career. It has made me a stronger, more well-rounded professional and I can genuinely say I couldn't imagine a better career path for myself. I look forward to seeing The Intern Group grow and continue to offer more opportunities to young professionals and students worldwide as we expand our destinations globally.
What unique qualities does your company possess?
Our mission statement is to create opportunity and inspire success. Our staff has had extensive international experience so we are all very knowledgeable about how to best provide these opportunities to others in an increasingly globalized economy.
Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of your current team.
I am especially proud to be a part of The Intern Group every day; especially when it comes to our strong emphasis on teamwork. Every member of our team is sincerely dedicated to assisting each of our departments so that we can grow together as a company and provide the best possible experience for our interns.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
One of my candidates who majored in finance was accepted to do an internship in our Madrid Program at an international investment bank. After interning there for two months as an analyst, he returned to university with a confirmed full-time position. After graduating, he was hired to help the company expand into the United States. He currently is employed with the company in New York City.