The job market is shifting, and as some large companies scale back their internship programs, it’s getting harder for young professionals to get a foot in the door. (AI is part of the reason.) That’s why internships matter more than ever. They’re one of the few remaining gateways to entry-level, real-world experience, and a powerful tool for shaping the future of work.

I know this first-hand. I started my career at ALKU as an intern. Fifteen years later, I’m now president, and CEO, of the same company. This journey wouldn’t have been possible if someone hadn’t taken a chance on me early on. My experience has shaped how I lead today: when people are trusted before they’ve fully proven themselves, they often rise to the occasion.

That’s what makes internships so powerful! They’re not just a recruiting tool; they’re a leadership opportunity. We treat internships as a strategic investment. This summer, more than 350 interns joined us from across the country, and they aren’t sitting on the side-lines. They’re embedded in teams, trained like full-time employees, and are contributing to real business outcomes from day one. More importantly, they’re surrounded by mentors who are ready to help them grow (many of whom were interns themselves).

Interns aren’t just our future. They reflect who we are today. They bring fresh ideas and different perspectives, show us what’s working and where we can improve. That’s why we bring them into meaningful decisions and reinforce that their ideas matter. When you give people opportunities to contribute, they often bring something you may not have seen coming.

From Intern to President to CEO: Why Mentorship Matters

 My internship experience has shaped my leadership philosophy. If you want to build great leaders, start before they see themselves that way. If you were in a room with us, you wouldn’t know the reporting structure. We’ve always been a bottom-up company. And it begins the moment someone is empowered to take ownership.

That’s why mentorship is core to our company culture. Interns are paired with people who’ve walked the same path and are invested in their growth. Mentorship helps deepen commitment. When someone invests in you, you’re more likely to invest back in your work, your team, and your future with the company.

Internships as Culture and Talent Engine

 More than 60% of our full-time employees came from our internship program. That’s by design. We believe the best way to develop talent is through experience. Interns work alongside top performers, participate in team meetings, and are held to high standards. They spend four days a week in the office, where they’re immersed in our high-energy, performance-driven culture. (The fifth in-the-office day is optional, but most choose to come in anyway!)

We give interns real training, real goals, real feedback, (and real commissions). When people know their work matters, they show up differently. They’re more engaged, more curious, more committed. I still remember the first mistake I made as an intern. I passed on a great candidate because I didn’t pick up the phone. I learned quickly that good recruiting isn’t just about reading resumes, it’s about picking up the phone and making a connection. That experience taught me the value of building real relationships.

Giving People Room to Build and Grow

 Some of our most exciting business ideas have come from interns. Again, when people are given the space to explore, experiment, and lead — even in small ways — it unlocks something powerful. That’s how leadership is built: through trust, opportunity, and support. We’ve seen these results first-hand. ALKU has grown by staying true to a long-term strategy focused on people and culture.

The Next Generation of Leaders Is Already Here

When companies treat internships as a path to future leadership, not just labor, they build stronger, more forward-thinking cultures. Interns today don’t just bring fresh energy, they bring insight, ambition, and long-term potential.

I look around every day and think this could be a leader. Every employee is someone with untapped potential. Our job as leaders is to create the environment that helps them unlock it.

You don’t develop leaders the moment you need one. You do it long before, when they’re still learning, still discovering what they’re capable of. That’s why we start early, equipping people with skills, mentoring, and purpose.

I know, because I’ve lived it. And I know someone this summer could be writing this same article someday, about their own journey from intern to leader.