Pulse

Summer is one of my favorite seasons because it’s when our interns arrive – and with them comes a burst of curiosity and energy. They jump into projects, improve processes, and often impress us with how quickly they add value.

It’s common to hear comments such as: “I gave them something to work on, and they did it in five minutes!” or “They built a fillable form that changed how we do things.” Our interns show us, again and again, the power of fresh thinking.

In 2023, we launched our Internship Initiative, building direct connections with seven colleges and universities and forming a Talent Acquisition Committee to guide our efforts. This past summer, we welcomed 14 interns – fewer than the 22 we hosted in 2024, but no less impactful. In fact, the quality of the program and the contributions our interns made this summer were outstanding. But the smaller number is a setback, and I see it as a call to action for all of us. As we plan for our 2026 intern season, I’d love everyone to get involved in strengthening the program and making internships an even bigger cornerstone of how we grow.

Why does this matter so much? Because if you ask any CEO what keeps them up at night, access to qualified and talented people is always near the top of the list. All too often, the quick fix is to hire from the outside. While that sometimes makes sense, it can have all the pitfalls of speed dating – you don’t truly know someone until you’ve worked side by side.

That’s why I believe in flipping the usual mindset of looking outside first. Instead, we must build a controlled pipeline of culture-fit hires vs. screening unknown external hires. I believe that if we make this a collective effort, by the end of 2027 we will have built such a pipeline that the need for external hires will be all but eliminated. 

Internships: Good for Them, Great for Us

The benefits for our interns are clear: they get hands-on experience, exposure to meaningful projects, and a launchpad for their careers. But the benefits for Loureiro are just as important:

• Spotting future leaders before they’re even in the job market
• Enriching our culture with fresh ideas, energy, and new perspectives
• Strengthening our teams with people who already understand our values and ways of working
• Growing mentors as well as mentees, because guiding an intern challenges us to teach, explain, and often see our work in new ways

And here’s where my speed dating analogy comes full circle. When an intern shines, we’re not making guesses about job offers based on a resume and an interview – we’ve seen them in action: their strengths, their drive, and their fit with our culture. And they know us, too. That’s a much stronger foundation for a lasting career – hopefully with us!

AMP and the Bigger Picture

Our focus on talent and growing from within connects directly to our new AMP It Up program. AMP is about giving people Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose – the space to stretch, try new things, and create real value. Internships are one of the clearest ways to bring that philosophy to life. We give young professionals the chance to test their skills, follow their curiosity, and make a meaningful contribution.

AMP and internships share the same belief: our greatest source of innovation and strength is already here, inside our people.

Building the Next Generation Together

Here’s what I’m asking of each of you:

• Leaders: Look for ways to bring an intern onto your team next summer. Where could fresh energy and ideas make the biggest difference?
• Everyone:
  • When you’re working with an intern, invest in them. Teach, challenge, and learn from them too.
  • Share your stories. Celebrate the ways interns are helping us grow.
  • Grow your own talent: Don’t stop with interns. Look at yourself – where can you stretch, learn, and grow? Maybe it’s taking on a bigger role in a project, pursuing a certification, or carving out time to build a new skill. Or maybe it’s participating in AMP! Every effort strengthens you and, in turn, strengthens Loureiro.
  • Help others grow (and grow yourself in the process): Coaching, mentoring, and sharing what you’re learning not only lifts others; it reinforces your own development as well.

Let’s work together to shape something enduring: an Internship Initiative and an overall approach to talent that strengthens our team and launches meaningful careers. It’s a shared commitment that will continue to multiply opportunity – fueling Loureiro’s growth while preparing the next generation to shine.

Because when we grow our people, we grow everything.

Looking for more inspiration? Head over to the “More Celebrations” section to see the spotlight on our 2025 interns!