Internships and apprenticeships are a time-honored rite of passage in many industries. We’ve asked some brilliant folks to share some of the most important lessons they learned during these early experiences in their career.

Allison Rush | PR and Marketing Professional

As I look back on the last 16 years I have been working in the marketing field, I am extremely grateful for starting my career at the William Morris Agency in 2006. The company’s rich history began in 1898 and Charlie Chaplin was one of the agency’s first clients. I was a wide-eyed, excited 22 year old, ready to start my career-in the mailroom at the most prestigious A-list talent agency in the world. I worked in the Latin music division under the great agents Raul Mateu and Pedro Bonilla, both very sharp and really great mentors. It was there, I learned about “the art of the deal” if you will, and contracts. Lots of them. I learned from the best television producers, agents, managers, publicists, and the “Who’s Who” of entertainment. It wasn’t just sorting mail, filing papers, and racing to get coffee. Read more>>

Ashley Sharp | Executive Director at Dwell with Dignity

My only internship experience actually led into my first job, and it was incredibly surreal! Through my master’s program, we were introduced to a variety of nonprofit arts institutions, and given the task to make connections and secure our own internship for the spring semester. Well, even though I was a dancer, with an undergraduate degree in performance, I ended up at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Mind you, I knew nothing about classical music! So here I am, 20 years old, meeting Joshua Bell, Yo-Yo Ma, and Chris Botti- literally the greatest classical musicians of our time, and I have no idea who they are. Read more>>

Neal Oates, Jr. | Real Estate Broker

I began my real estate career in the role of listings manager in 2007 for the International Realty Trust (IRT) Group. As the year might suggest, this was a time of tremendous uncertainty in the south Florida real estate market. Fortunately, I was under the tutelage of two tremendous personalities. My first 18 months in real estate seemed like a single day stuck on repeat. The clients who bought properties only a few months prior were now represented by us to market and resale their units in an oversaturated market where fear was the flavor of the day. Having to explain to international property owners that their sound investment in U.S. real estate may not yield the immediate returns desired was an uncomfortable, but familiar occurrence. Read more>>

Camilla Currin Baird | Certified Floral Designer

I never had to complete an apprentice or internship, but I certainly feel like I did. I got my start in the floral industry when I was 17 years old in the floral department at Kroger. I had always had kind of an obsession with plants and then being around the flowers just kind of lit a fire from within. I then went on and got 12 certifications in floral design and running a retail business. Over the next few years, I bounced around in Dallas between working for The Ivy Basket Florist and Calloway’s Nursery. I learned a lot about what not to do by working for The Ivy Basket. Even at such a young age, I couldn’t believe all of the bad business decisions I witnessed the owner make on almost a daily basis. Needless to say, she ended up closing her doors and couldn’t pay me my last paycheck. Read more>>

Chi Chi Okezie | Authoress & Multilingual Consultant

I did an internship at the French-American Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta shortly after my study abroad in Paris, France. It was such an impactful experience which prepared me for the business I currently own. I met my mentor who was also the director, at that time. I shadowed her at meetings, networking events and other business activities. I actually learned a lot about operating a business and supporting clients / partners. As well as, improving my French language skills and cultural competencies. In my current business, I use example of the French language, arts and entertainment to teach communication, diversity and networking. Read more>>

Vera Ross | Health Coach and Certified Personal Trainer

When I began my career as a fitness instructor in 2011, my focus was designing safe and effective workouts to help clients get the fitness results they were looking for. Motivated by my desire to help people achieve their health and fitness goals, I saw personal training as a means to serve others. I had several jobs in different gyms as a group fitness instructor, and teaching those high-energy classes was- and still is- a creative outlet for me to have fun with my job. Pretty quickly, and with the help of a wonderful mentor, I transitioned from teaching group fitness classes to training one-on-one and small group clients out of a private gym. Read more>>

Dr. Nikki Dority | Physical Therapist and Entrepreneur

When I was first commissioned as an officer in the US ARMY, I was well versed in the camaraderie and support that was part and parcel in the organization. I had spent four years doing AROTC, as well as basic and advanced training and multiple schools, including Air Assault schools. I was in love with the idea that a full group of people, working together, would set out and complete a mission, as a team. I was in love with the idea that a smorgasbord of people from all walks of life could come together to do something important. Read more>>

Deena Von Yokes | Salon Owner

The most important lesson is always to treat people with kindness; you never know what is going on in their lives. I also learned the art of staying in positive and productive conversation, so when my client leaves, they are happier than when they came in. Lastly, never talk or gossip about someone else; it will make clients uncomfortable and reflect poorly on you as a service provider. So moral of the story is you create a connection and attract others by staying in a light positive conversation and being that bright light that others are attracted to. I believe this makes clients remember you and want to come back again and again. Read more>>

Robyn Graham | Electrologist

Different States mandate Clinical Hours to be a Registered or a Certified Electrologist. Gaining my theory & clinical hours through my internship at school was an extra certification at the time to hold a higher CO License toward Esthetics. I wasn’t sure how I would build this into my very busy schedule. I’m so glad I did. Electrolysis was somewhat protocol for additional education wanted toward Aesthetic Care. Internship hours mandated by the AEA to sit for a National Board Electrolysis Certification has brought many leaders in the Electrology world to my side. #blessed With this said the clinical hours working with each individual person has opened my eyes into different worlds. Read more>>