Intern Diaries (Week 8): Confessions of a Teenage Intern Queen

Week 8 and we’re feeling great! This week, the interns got a lot of love and attention through a premium mix of lunches, office parties and even a Cubs game outing. While they were wined (21+ only; we are very responsible) and dined, we took some time to catch up with our trailblazing high school intern: Yadahris Rosario. Keep reading to find out more about her and her unique internship story!

But First… Let the Good Times Roll

This week’s brown bag lunch featured Chief Administrative and Legal Officer Scot Kees. Scot oversees quite a few departments at Hightower (the man has hats for days), and he shared how he manages so many moving parts… Here’s hoping he can also give me some tips on how to manage all my people in The Sims 4^TM because it’s similarly stressful.

But you don’t have to take my weird comparison for it! Says Network Infrastructure Intern Jada Sardin, “Scot was very personable, which was quite a relief, and made asking questions pretty easy! He was also very insightful and helped encourage me to pursue an executive role.” Go for Gold, Jada! I will be your cheerleader.

Internapalooza

… AKA National Intern Day was July 28! Hightower demonstrated its usual panache for any and all celebrations. (Seriously, we had a Kentucky Derby-themed happy hour once, despite being in Chicago.) The conference room was decked out in streamers, there was giveaways, people really lived.

Sarah, Virginia and others won a bunch of swag (like, the big stuff: we’re talking Apple watches and sweatshirts.) And there was, of course, free food because Hightower is for the people. We hope the interns feel super appreciated because TBH they are really our fan favorites around the office and we don’t want the summer to end!

From Home Room to Board Room: 10 Questions with Yadahris Rosario

It’s not every day you meet a high schooler so interested in starting their career early. Yadahris came to us from the suburbs of Chicago. After an office tour, she straight up just asked the CEO for an opportunity to work with us over the summer. We LOVE the confidence – and the friendly reminder that it never hurts to ask! Meanwhile, all high school me wanted was a boyfriend. Maybe there’s hope for the next generation after all…

Yadahris spent time in a few different departments, so she really got to know the company well. And now, you’ll all get to know her a little better with dashing  Q&A!

1. Can you tell us about your unique internship structure and your experience so far?

My experience has been super amazing, everyone has been so nice and welcoming. The structure my internship took was in two-week cycles. I interned under the Marketing, HR, and Legal departments. I was able to see all that they do and met a lot of the people who were easy to work with! They all made an effort to create an open learning environment where I could ask questions and give ideas.

2. What first made you interested in working with Hightower?

What made me interested in Hightower was a school fieldtrip. Within my junior year advisory class, they picked seven students who “won” a mock interview and took them to Hightower as a surprise. Once I got there it shocked me how modern and cool HT looked, especially since it was a financial advisory company. Bob Oros (CEO) gave us a tour and a meet and greet with the heads of Finance, Marketing and HR. I decided throughout the tour that I was going to find a way to work there, and I did!

3. Do you have any advice for other high schoolers who are interested in internships?

My only advice to high school students is to advocate for yourself. Have a goal and go for it: Worst-case scenario is it doesn’t work. And, as cliché as it sounds, try again.

4. Can you give us your top three takeaways from your Hightower internship?

• Advocating for yourself doesn’t make you proud; it makes you vulnerable, but it’s worth it to put yourself out there!
• The best way to grow is by being in rooms where others know more than you.
• The world runs on communication and relationships.

5. What has been the most challenging part of this internship? Most rewarding?

The most challenging part of this internship was being the youngest and first high school intern at Hightower in Chicago. Because I was the first, I came in knowing two things: One, that me being there was a risk and two, that I had to, in a way, prove that I could do it. However, the most rewarding part was trying my best and accomplishing my tasks, whether they were newer concepts, harder projects and/or very detailed contracts.

6. Can you share any Hightower projects you enjoyed working on?

A Hightower project that I enjoyed working on was under the Marketing team. I created and brainstormed some social media campaigns and ideas to further expand Hightower reach to the next generation. It was fun to try something new, especially because I’ve never worked with a marketing team before, and to let my creativity flow.

7. What has been your favorite department so far (and why is it marketing) :P?

My favorite department so far has been marketing.* I’m usually a rubric type of person; I like to see the lines and have a clear understanding of what I must do and how it should be done. But in this department, I was able to be creative in an avenue that I’m not the most familiar with and was able to make my own lines within the work that were given to me. After finishing the tasks, I always felt accomplished and satisfied with the work I completed. Not to mention everyone that I met within meet and greets, meetings and video calls.

*I promise I didn’t tell her to say that.

8. Outside of the office, what are your favorite hobbies?

My favorite hobbies outside of the office are the basic ones like hanging out with friends and family, traveling and reading books outside in nice weather.

9. What is one thing you want older generations to know about teenagers today?

One thing I want the older generation to know about teenagers today is that we see everything that they do and what is going on around us… The difference is that we don’t process it the same way they might. The comprehension (most times) is there, it’s the delivery that may be different. With love, teenagers 🙂

10. Give us some fun facts!

• My dream travel destination is Italy. I love everything about it and would want to immerse myself within the culture. I am planning to study abroad some time when I’m in college – I’ve even started learning the language!
• My go-to tv show is Criminal Minds. Yes, it surprises people sometimes, but I am a true crime junkie… from TV shows to podcasts to documentaries.
• I don’t have a favorite song or album. I love music, and it’s all about what I’m feeling or what I want to feel that dictates what I listen to.

There you have it! Special shout out to Yadahris, my Star Intern of the Week! You win some 1. Majorly good vibes that I’m mentally sending your way. (I hope you feel…. ~* rejuvenated*~!) and 2. Heart emojis: <3 <3. Gift-giving is my love language.

Week 8 has left the gate. Come back later to see what the interns are circling back to and following up on.