Aim High Celebrating Emerging Talent

When I sat down recently with a group of interns and co-op participants to talk about their time at IFF, their exuberance for this great company was tangible. As they spoke highly of the IFFers they interacted with during their programs, their words resonated with me as I remember sharing those very same sentiments when I first met the people who are now my coworkers. The reason, I’ve come to learn, is because IFFers always aim high.

Internships, and programs like them, are some of those rites of passage in business which most of us have experienced at one time or another, whether as an intern or apprentice ourselves or as a mentor or supervisor to an up-and-coming young professional. These opportunities are often touted for the value they bring to the students. And, in the words of one of our interns, it affords them hands-on experience that helps translate the world of theory they learn in school into tangible business practices.

What all leaders know, however, is the value these young people bring to an organization is just as impactful. Now, more than ever, companies need emerging talent for their fresh perspectives, innovative concepts and to provide a spotlight on diverse, knowledgeable individuals who will soon join our employee communities.

Now that some internships are ending while others are going strong or even ramping up, one question I often get when talking to these emerging leaders is ‘what advice do you have for me?’ For that question I have two main answers. First, make sure your personal mission and values match those of any company you join. Having your values align will help to ensure you remain passionate about coming to work every day. And second, I take a page from the aspirations of my IFF colleagues: aim high. Wherever you start, look to the top of the career ladder and set your sights there. Always aspire to do great things, it’s the changemakers who make all the difference.
Frank