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This summer, we're extending our spotlight series to celebrate CenterSquare’s exceptional interns! Over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting the unique skills, diverse backgrounds, and fresh perspectives that our interns bring to the table. Our first intern spotlight is Michelle Bocanegra, an incoming senior pursuing a B.S. in business administration at USC. Michelle is based out of our Newport Beach office and will be working alongside our Private Real Estate Team. Continue reading below to learn more about Michelle: 1. What are your top three productivity tips for a successful workday? Listen to good music during your commute, have a cup of coffee ASAP, and keep an arsenal of snacks on hand. 2. If you could share some advice with your younger self, what would it be? The main advice I would give my younger self is to not underestimate herself. I would tell her to be confident in her abilities and knowledge, and if she doesn’t believe me, I’ll give her a blip of the things I’ve accomplished thus far—things like getting into and going to USC, which was something that the younger me dreamed of but didn’t think was possible. 3. What inspired you to pursue a career in your current field of study? I have always loved real estate, even when I was younger. I would watch HGTV’s Flip or Flop every day during the summer, and during my free time, I would endlessly search Zillow just for fun. However, early on I knew I didn't want to work in residential real estate, but I had a passion for the real estate industry. This was when I started searching for other options; I came across commercial real estate and found it to be the perfect fit. 4. As a child, what career did you want to have when you “grew up?” As a child, I always wanted to be a veterinarian because I love animals, especially dogs. I currently have 2 Australian Shepherds and am hoping to get another in the future. 5. If you could try something knowing you would not fail, what would it be? If I were guaranteed not to fail at something, I would go skydiving. It is something I've always been interested in doing; however, the fear of it going badly has stopped me. With no risk of failing or falling out of the sky uncontrollably, I would take the chance to skydive for the first time. #CenterSquare #SummerInternship #Spotlight

It’s intern and new hire season! In the next few weeks, 20-24 year old people will begin showing up in corporate offices across America. I used to supervise interns and new hires. Back when I was much more relatable (aka hip and cool…now I’m all “Hey you kids!”) A few suggestions, things I used to coach interns and new hires on my teams….share with your children 😉 —never show up to the office with wet hair —if your shoes require a big toe to wear, they are not office shoes —learn 1 new thing at every meeting. Not 5, not 20. One. Write down the term and who said it. Ask that person to teach it to you afterward. —say good morning to everyone when you arrive, say good night to everyone when you leave. —Dont ignore a ringing phone. Answer it professionally. No “Hello?” Try “Acme Company, this is Jennifer.” —Speaking of phones…if you need something: call. Do not send an email. Talk to the other person. —If someone asks what you think, definitely speak up! —I have seen young people charge laundry service and hotel pet fees to company accounts. Before you travel on the company dime, understand what can be expensed and what can’t. —Anticipate “real time” feedback from your supervisors and mentors, but look for a formal check-in weekly, at least in the beginning. Expect that you will have improvement opportunities. Everyone does! For the rest of you “Olds” (wizened supervisors): Ask these smart-as-heck kids what they think! Learn about them as people! Give them a problem and the latitude to solve it. You might be impressed! And remember: regardless of how experienced / old you are, interns are perpetually 21. Happy summer!

🤣 Remember when you were an intern and had no idea what you were doing? 😂 Check out this hilarious reel about interns bumbling through the office life - guaranteed to make you laugh and trigger some serious nostalgia! 🙈😆 #InternLife #OfficeAntics #TheStruggleIsReal #LOLmoments #WorkHumor #FunnyReel #InternDaysGoneBye #HilariousMemories #JustForLaughs #hostripples

For #NationalInternDay, I want to share a few highlights from the great conversation I had with our MassMutual summer interns at our Springfield office last week. This group represents the innovative spirit of our future leaders, and their insightful questions gave me the chance to share a few lessons that I’ve learned along my journey at the company:   💡 Build a personal board of directors – such as trusted friends, family, and colleagues – to gain diverse perspectives and help you navigate challenges. 💡Become an expert in at least one area where you can be the “go to” person. 💡Show up, work hard, and seize every opportunity that comes your way. What other advice would you share with our intern class?

On #NationalInternDay, we’re kicking off #InternInsights, a glimpse into the collaboration between #Transwestern interns and their mentors during the summer months. 🤝 Check out our first spotlight, Andrew Olivet! Mark Stratz #InternAppreciation #RealEstate #SummerIntern

🌟 Celebrating our Social Work Interns! 🌈🎉 Today, we honor the compassionate hearts and dedicated souls who are making a difference in the lives of others as social work interns! ❤️👏🏼 🤝 These amazing individuals bring empathy, understanding, and a drive for positive change to their roles every day. Their commitment to helping those in need is truly inspiring! 🌟💕 🙌🏼 Join us in expressing gratitude to our social work interns for their unwavering support and dedication to building a better, more caring world. Together, we create a brighter future for all. 🌞🌍 #SocialWorkInterns #MakingADifference #CompassionateHearts #EmpoweringChange #BuildingABetterWorld #CaringCommunities"

Want honest, hard hitting, legit straight talk and honest conversations where paradigms get blown up and lessons get taught? I do, and that’s why I’m grateful for our Council on Culture. I learn so much every time we meet and know our company continues to be better for it. Last week's meeting focused on our internship and mentoring programs, our hiring and retention data, and how we can continue to foster a culture of belonging where everyone feels seen, connected, and valued. Our Council on Culture is a paid advisory group of people from outside our company, along with employees, and industry experts. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/e7p-gJ_s.  One key feature is those of us on Council who don’t have a diverse life experience with race, ethnicity or preference, we’re “Listening Members” of the Council. It’s incredibly effective to have folks generally seen as the majority being in a Stay Quiet to Listen & Learn role.

🍍IT'S B CORP MONTH 🍍 and it's nearly a year since Caleño Drinks achieved it's B Corp certification. To celebrate, we're releasing our first ever B Corp Impact Report, highlighting policies, perks and all of the ways we put people & planet at the centre of our Business. Just some of the best bits below: 👉 We run an internship programme through Empower LATAM, an organisation that exists to supports young Latin Americans in the UK, often from disadvantaged backgrounds. 👉 We have 100% recyclable spirit bottles & outer packaging. 👉Alongside our 28 day holiday allowance and our flexible remote working policy, we added in a Hangover Day, which is an extra day to have to yourself, anytime at the drop of a hat, no questions asked. 👉We offer enhanced parental leave, giving primary caregivers 12 to 18 weeks of fully paid leave and secondary caregivers 4 weeks of fully paid leave. Read our full Impact Report here: https://lnkd.in/eQN_ZAWu

So many opportunities to grow in a caring and innovative culture.

Learn more about the experience of seven of ICF's awesome summer interns, including how they were able to apply their knowledge to help solve real-world challenges!