IBM Intern to the C-Suite – My advice on National Intern Day
On this National Intern Day, I’m celebrating the current class of IBM HR Interns. They are driven. Focused. Creative. Innovative. In short, they are IBMers. Today, I have some advice that I’d like to share not just for our interns, but for everyone.
I began my career as an intern at IBM over 20 years ago - what I thought was just a stop on my way to law school. But that stop turned into so much more - a fulfilling, exciting career full of unexpected surprises like two international assignments.
As you embark upon your career, here are a few things I have learned that may help as you begin to navigate your own journey.
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- Lateral moves can drive career growth. Not every career move has to be a promotion. In fact, some of my best career choices were lateral moves that helped me build critical skills that brought me far greater career gains in the long-term.
- A growth mindset is critical. A growth mindset may be the most important skill in today’s marketplace (followed closely by empathy). The half-life of skills is constantly shrinking, but if you’re committed to learning and growing, you will be infinitely more successful.
- Fail fast . . . and learn quickly. No one is perfect. Mistakes will happen. But it’s how you learn from those mistakes and move forward that matters. Embrace Agile principles of failing fast and course correcting.
- Strive for balance, not perfection. I’ll admit, I’m not perfect - no one is. But I can tell you the secret . . . never judge yourself on any one given day. Why? Everyone is out of balance on any one day. Just like a company looks at their financial performance, I look back over a 90-day period and if home or work is out of balance over those 90 days, then I take steps to course correct.
- Work for a company that shares your values. Many of you are in the middle of your internships right now. When it comes time to choose a company for full-time employment, my best advice is to choose one not just based on who pays the highest salary (which can be tempting), but on whose values align with your own. Ultimately, I think you’ll find that the money won’t matter much if your core beliefs clash.
What is your best advice for interns on this National Intern Day? #IBM #careers #skills
Chief Marketing Officer | Product MVP Expert | Lead Gen Specialist
1yNickle, thanks for sharing!
Group CEO hos Carlsberg Group
1yThanks for sharing your story and these tips Nickle LaMoreaux. Interns are the future and bring great new ideas into the workplace. Nothing better than challenging the status quo!
Director of Internship Programs and Clinical Instructor at University of South Carolina
1yCome speak to my internship class at USC. Would enjoy having you share your story with the students
Global Professional | Strategic Puzzle Solver | Systems Thinker | Program Leader | Change & Behavior Enthusiast | Exploratory Learner | Curious Traveler | Board Game Nerd
1yMy best advice for interns is get to know yourself and the value you bring to the table. Then take those reflections and self-advocate for the life and career that will matter most to you. Only you will know what fulfills you and motivates you. The faster you know what those things are, the faster you can cultivate and manifest that life for yourself!
WSJ Bestselling Author of Leading Lightly | Executive Coach | Leadership Coach | Helping Executives Lead Lightly by mastering Mental Fitness, Emotional Intelligence, and Accountability.
1yGreat advice on balance, Nickle. Sometimes work or family has to take precedence. Learning to commit to both long-term is an essential skill.