What I learned from our interns this summer.
As much as internships go, we often think interns are here to learn from us, but the opposite is equally true—we can learn just as much from them.
For as long as I can remember, I've always enjoyed having interns join our teams, even during my corporate days. I consistently appreciate the feedback they provide at the end of their internships, especially when I hear things like "we appreciate that you don't micromanage us" or "this has been one of the most interesting/enjoyable/productive internships we've experienced."
The most recent experience, where I had the privilege of having Antora and Yi Fan from ACSI join our fractional talent bench for three weeks, added another gem: "we initially couldn't imagine working remotely but now we completely advocate for it!" That's music to my ears.
I can already hear the protests from traditional employers, but before you throw brickbats at me, take a moment to consider the bigger picture.
Working with emerging talent, especially Gen Z, isn't a walk in the park—it's a mutual learning experience. We maintain established processes and onboarding protocols, which they fully embrace. We work around each other's schedules much like we do with other team members, learning to respect timelines and establish collaborative workflows despite different communication styles and preferences. Trust builds naturally through this process.
This experience made me realize just how impressionable yet digitally sophisticated this generation is. As true digital natives—though not quite 100% AI native—they're at least 50% aware of AI developments and already predicting that traditional presentation slides will be obsolete by the time they enter the workforce full-time.
Their presentations are exclusively done in Canva, which shouldn't surprise anyone. They find traditional slide software clunky and consider building from scratch an inefficient use of time. They're also thoughtfully measured about not over-relying on ChatGPT for everything while continuing to seek genuine purpose in their careers beyond conventional brick-and-mortar or corporate environments.
They're unafraid to speak their minds yet remain modest about their capabilities, refreshingly accountable for their mistakes, and remarkably self-aware of their limitations. I'm genuinely impressed by their independence and self-direction regarding schedules and priorities, having parents busy with their own careers without requiring daily supervision for academic performance.
This contrasts sharply with stories from friends who constantly complain about needing to supervise their children's studying, otherwise they'd spend entire days playing video games or watching television.
This independence also creates vulnerability—they sometimes question whether they're making the right decisions or living authentically. I understand how intimidating that uncertainty can become, so maintaining balance becomes crucial.
With AI making remarkable progress and disrupting virtually every aspect of business, I believe this generation is well-positioned for the changes ahead. As long as they remain curious, driven, and creative while thinking critically about every decision, there's absolutely a place for human talent in the evolving landscape.
Below are their reflections on the internship experience and key learnings:
Mad About Marketing Consulting
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