I always enjoy the students who come and intern in our company. They come with a fresh perspective and energy to infuse the organization. I have noticed that in most cases though, this generation of interns is different than in past years. The norm appears to be less than the level that we would want them to stay in touch with their progress in school. However, in some rather unique situations, an intern will impress our staff, not because of their ability to function in the specific area of study, but for others things they do within the confines of their internship.
One evening a few years ago, I came back to work in order to catch up on some late night emails. As I entered the building and walked into the foyer, I saw one of our interns standing in the hallway with a roll of paper towel in one hand and and a bottle of window cleaner in the other. His name will forever be secret but his actions will always be the model. As I stood there in the foyer, he greeted me with the respect he was known to show to other adults. During the course of our conversation, I asked him what he was doing with the items in his hands. With all the “matter of fact” a person can muster, he responded “I’m cleaning the windows Sir.” His response intrigued me because as an intern it was not a part of his ob to do such a task. “Why?” I asked him. “Because the windows were dirty Sir.”
In his words was a love for the blatantly obvious and yet at the same time a naiveness to his response. I looked at him with admiration and made this statement. “Son, you are going to make it far in this world. Anyone who can look at a need and then address it without being told to do so, will be a great addition to any company.” He thanked me for my acknowledgment of his task but still appeared to be bewildered as to why it would be a big deal.
Unfortunately, this young man’s work ethic is an attribute that is globally understood by the more “senior generation” than our current workforce applicants. My prediction for this young intern came to fruition a year or two later. I had the privilege of seeing his a few years later at an event in our town. When I asked him what he was doing now, he told me the name of the person he was now working for as his assistant. I was so proud of him, he was now the assistant to one of the greatest minds in his field. Though a great story to tell, I am not at all surprised by the accomplishment of this you man. I guess in some ways, because this fine young man took the time to clean dirty windows, his destiny certainly became much clearer!