When I arrived at the Piedmont Club on orientation day, I knew this internship experience would be unique. We sat in a room overlooking the dark green canopy and spent almost the whole orientation period discussing the principles of Wharton Gladden, like proactivity, integrity, and good relationships.  It became very obvious how extremely important those principles are to Mr. Cash.

It came into sharper focus when we read the book “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”, by Stephen Covey.  In Part II of the book, Private Victories, Covey explains that a person or organization centered on sound principles will navigate the ups and downs of life more fluidly.

The Developing Excellence Program included creating a personal development plan (in accordance with Covey’s advice), reading two books on effective living, attending weekly loan underwriting classes, competing in a multifamily and a commercial case study, and completing six shadow days – two with Mr. Cash, two with a Wharton Gladden Associate, and two with Industry partners.

In our very first class, lacking some technical background, I felt that I was falling behind. I hadn’t had much experience with finance or Excel and couldn’t help but feel that I was slowing the class down.  In one of my meetings with Mr. Cash, about a week later, he told me that he sensed my lack of confidence.  As I nodded my head and smiled, he told me that I didn’t give myself enough credit.  He told me that I comprehended the material just as well as the other interns, but lacked their conviction.  This was a pretty powerful moment for me, and from there on, I felt like I belonged in the Developing Excellence Program.  It helped me in my future interactions with Mr. Cash, industry partners, and fellow interns.

One of the most valuable aspects of this program was Mr. Cash’s respect for the interns.  Not once did he ask us to get him coffee, or request any other menial task.  Instead, he assigned us each tangible projects outside of the internship to solidify our understanding of the industry.  I was able to help him with research on potential industry partners.  Other interns gained experience through different external assignments, including loan analysis and client relationship building.  He took us seriously and never doubted our ability.  He invested a lot in us.  As the Developing Excellence program comes to a close, I can only hope that we have provided him the same value that he entrusted in us.

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill student, Sarah Brooks, authored this guest article about her experience in the Wharton Gladden Developing Excellence Summer Internship Program.