Intern season is coming up and it always gets me thinking about mentorship and what that actually looks like day to day.
Early on in my career, I had a mentor who shaped a lot of how I work today, Mike O’Brien. At the time it didn’t feel like anything big, just conversations, feedback, small moments, but looking back that’s really where everything came from.
A few things he told me have always stuck with me.
- If the answer to your question isn’t going to change your next move, don’t ask it.
- Your job is to make your boss’s life easier.
- Be polite at all times.
- And always add value, even if it’s small.
That’s what I try to bring into the intern season. Not just giving people work to do, but actually giving them the chance to step in, take ownership, and learn through doing. Let them figure things out, be there when they need it, and create an environment where they can grow professionally through real experience, networking, and learning.
At the end of the day, the feedback from interns is what matters most to me.
“Eric’s dedication to multicultural marketing and his commitment to fostering talent created an atmosphere where I felt valued and motivated to contribute meaningfully.” – Angel Gastelum
“My time at Nativa was incredibly rewarding, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to work with such a talented team. Eric Diaz and everyone else were amazing mentors, and their support really helped me grow both professionally and personally.” – Florencia Alatriste Urbalejo
You can check out more interns stories here!
Looking forward to working with the next group and continuing what my mentors passed down to me.
