Tips for a Successful Summer Internship Program
Shannon Vazquez (Property Management) and Ella Fink (Property Management Intern) at Centennial's Day of Caring 2024

Tips for a Successful Summer Internship Program

This summer we were lucky to host Ella Fink, property management intern at Centennial HQ. Ella joined us from ICSC Launch Academy, which provides summer internship opportunities for undergraduate students from historically underrepresented backgrounds.

  • One fun thing: As Ella’s internship wraps up, her final assignment was to share her top tips for a successful summer internship program.

Let’s dig in…

As my summer internship in property management comes to an end, I’m incredibly grateful for all the learning and growth opportunities put in front of me. As I get ready to head back to school this fall, below are some tips to think about when welcoming your next intern.

  • Implement regular one-on-one meetings

Having a weekly one-on-one meeting with my manager was critical for my success this summer. Every Friday, we’d sit down and talk about the week, go over projects, and answer any questions I had. It was also a chance for my manager to introduce new projects and give feedback. Having these 1:1 meetings took time, but they really helped me feel comfortable in my role.

  • Offer rotational opportunities

As a finance and management major, I wasn’t sure about my career path, and I know a lot of other interns feel the same way. Allowing interns to rotate through different disciplines gives them a well-rounded experience and helps them find what sparks the most interest.

  • Give honest feedback

One of the biggest takeaways from my internship was the feedback I received from my manager, mentor, and other key individuals. Positive comments are always great, but constructive feedback is just as important. Interns are there to learn and grow, so getting constructive feedback helps us see where we can improve for the future.

  • Provide networking opportunities

At the start of the summer, I was lucky enough to be a part of Centennial’s Experience First Workshop. This three-day event allowed me to meet and network with individuals from different disciplines across the country, many of whom I’ve since connected with on LinkedIn.

  • Integrate your intern into the team

Getting integrated into the Property Management team from day one was incredibly helpful, and experiencing the Centennial culture firsthand highlighted just how important company culture is. This is a big takeaway for interns as they think about culture-fit and the type of company they’d like to work for in the future.

  • Encourage lots of questions

Some of my most valuable learning experiences with my manager and mentor came from listening in on calls or just shadowing the work they were doing. These opportunities sparked my curiosity and generated the most interesting conversations. Encourage your intern to ask lots of questions after listening, observing, shadowing, or completing a project to help foster deeper learning.

  • Give clear goals & expectations

A professional environment can be overwhelming for interns. Giving clear goals, defined timelines, and help with prioritizing projects can instill confidence and help the intern meet expectations. Coupled with regular 1:1 meetings, this structure helps create a smooth and productive workflow between interns and their managers.

Interships can be both nerve-wracking and rewarding, but following these tips will help you create a positive and successful learning environment for everyone involved. Summer 2025 will be here before we know it!


Ella you’ re future! Link up with Robert Dulay & you will succeed!

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Whitney Livingston

ICSC Board of Trustees Member, ICSC Foundation Board Member | Real Estate Executive With Proven Experience Creating Value

4mo

We will miss you so much, Ella! Thank you so much for all your hard work and incredible contributions this summer.

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Brannon Boswell

Los Angeles commercial real estate insights

4mo

great tips!

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Tory Glossip, CRRP, CSM, CPM

Vice President, Property Management

4mo

Ella is awesome! Thank you for all you did for us this summer!!!

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Shannon Vazquez

Property Manager & ESG Initiatives @ Centennial | MPA

4mo

So glad to have gotten to work with Ella, she is a rock 🌟! She brought great energy and fresh ideas to the projects we worked on. Thanks for all your work this summer, and keep making us Miamians proud 🙌🏼

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