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It’s fair to say 2020 has been a whirlwind of a year. To thrive or perhaps even survive, organizations and executives must adapt to both industry-specific and macroeconomic challenges. Since 2006, I’ve seen organizations consistently assess their talent pools and partner with Charles Aris to find A-level leaders.
charles aris, Executive Search, forward-thinking, InterSearch
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EENSBORO, N.C. – Executive search firm Charles Aris Inc. has promoted Ashlee Wagner from senior practice leader to vice president. Wagner is an integral part of the company’s Strategy & Corporate Development recruiting team and leads the firm’s Financial Services practice across banking, insurance, wealth management, credit card, payments and fintech clients.
“I wholeheartedly appreciate the support and guidance that the firm has given me over the past six years – and particularly now during this exciting yet unique moment in time and in my career,” said Wagner, who joined the Greensboro-based company as an associate recruiter nearly six years ago.
Fellow Charles Aris vice president Jill Jitima, who helped open the door to a recruiting career for Wagner in 2014, has been impressed with Wagner’s work ethic since day one.
“One of our firm’s 22 Principles is ‘We earn our seats every day.’ Ashlee truly leads by example on this,” Jitima said.
The Charles Aris 22 Principles serve as the compass of the company’s culture, and Wagner’s focused mindset and willingness to buy into that organizational ethos have been critical elements in her success.
Wagner not only helped lead the way within Charles Aris but within the community as well, teaming up with colleagues to help propel the firm’s Community Enrichment initiatives. Together, Wagner and Charles Aris teammates assist Piedmont Triad nonprofit organizations such as Junior Achievement and BackPack Beginnings, frequently volunteering to teach schoolchildren with the former and annually sponsoring the latter’s Kirkwood 5K event to raise funds and food for students in need.
Given the impact of the global pandemic, this year’s Kirkwood 5K has given way to a new BackPack Beginnings food-and-fund-raiser called “Bust the Bus with Us!”
“Ashlee demonstrates an array of competencies that make her a star,” said Charles Aris CEO Chad Oakley. “She works incredibly hard, she is constantly innovating and she strives for perfection in everything she does. The Charles Aris leadership team is excited to promote Ashlee Wagner to vice president.”
To learn more about the Charles Aris Financial Services recruiting practice, contact Ashlee Wagner at 336-378-1818, extension 9142, or ashlee.wagner@charlesaris.com.
Marketing Intern at Charles Aris Inc.
Executive search firm Charles Aris Inc. has promoted Rebecca Conway to senior associate recruiter while Nele Fritz has been promoted to senior researcher. Conway and Fritz will both continue to identify and place world-class leaders in client organizations across diversified functions and industries.
In just under two years at Charles Aris, Conway has proven herself as one of the organization’s top recruiters. She has placed 17 leaders in client organizations while working primarily within the search firm’s Strategy & Corporate Development recruiting practice. Conway also serves on the firm’s internal Wellness Committee and its Kirkwood 5K Committee, which supports an annual event helping fund Piedmont Triad nonprofit BackPack Beginnings.
“My time with Charles Aris has been such a rewarding experience. I’m thrilled to be part of an organization that challenges me and supports my continued growth, rewards success and treats its employees like family.”
Fritz earned her promotion on her one-year anniversary in June. In 2020 alone, she has sourced and helped land 12 executive leaders for client organizations. In addition to her work identifying A-level talent for client search projects, she also spearheads many of the firm’s business intelligence initiatives focused on client development and continuous improvement.
“It has been a great first year with Charles Aris and I feel privileged to work among such a talented and professional team.” such a talented and professional team. such a talented and professional team.
Brian Styers, a Charles Aris vice president who leads the firm’ research, marketing and digital teams and initiatives, couldn’t agree more with Fritz’s assessment.
“It has indeed been a great first year for Nele and thus the firm, its clients and its candidates,” Styers said. “That’s precisely because Nele is an expert researcher who strategically sources and visualizes data in collaborative fashion. She has a knack for finding top talent and will undoubtedly help us reduce search cycle time with her clarifying analytics.”
Conway, meanwhile, has an accomplished background in marketing, recruiting and human resources across an array of industries. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alum enjoys spending time with her husband, Andre, and their daughters, Caroline and Ava.
“We were lucky to land Rebecca in 2018 and it’s no surprise that she’s earned this promotion to the senior associate ranks here,” Styers said. “Rebecca is a true business partner whose professionalism is appreciated by hiring authorities and candidates alike.”
Fritz, a German national, is no stranger to knowledge management. She earned her master’s degree in library and information studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro after attaining her bachelor’s degree in library science at the Technical University of Cologne.
“I know I speak for the entire Charles Aris team when I say how excited we are for the promotions earned by Nele and Rebecca,” said COO Allen Oakley. “Each has made a tremendous impact inside and beyond the firm, and their promotions are well deserved.
“Rebecca has a special talent in understanding specific client needs and leveraging that understanding to locate and attract the highest caliber of talent on behalf of her clients,” Oakley added. “Nele is a true strategic thought partner – and it shows. Her attention to detail is incredible; she has a unique ability to uncover extremely valuable trends stemming from complex data sets.”
Intro
Your organization’s internship program is about to wrap up for the summer. You’ve enjoyed your time with the company, bonded with the team and learned more about yourself and your chosen career path. At some point, you may have thought of the possibility to continue working for the company. Whether you’re wanting another semester at your internship or considering the transition from intern to full-time employee, here’s how to learn about your potential future at your organization of interest.
Timing is key
As soon as you realize you’re interested in staying with the organization beyond your internship, mention it to your supervisor or team. Interns have an expected end date, so your team is likely to assume that you’ll want to finish your internship and move on to another opportunity unless you say otherwise. Not to mention, companies are already searching for new interns for the fall and spring semesters. Express your interest and start having these conversations before your program ends. If you’re concerned about “putting all of your eggs in one basket,” stay on the lookout for other programs and opportunities that catch your interest but stay focused! If this company is your number one choice then you must treat it as such.
Put time on the calendar
After mentioning your interest, set out to have a conversation with your team about your future at the organization. Get a time and day on the calendar that works for everyone and stick to it. In your meeting, take the time to describe how you’ve learned and grown in this role, what you brought to the company and express gratitude for your team before asking about potential ways to stay on. State explicitly if you want to complete another internship or work full-time at the company, then see what your team says. Remember: The worst thing they can say is no!
If there is a potential for you to stay on for another internship or go full-time:
Great! Show gratitude, ask for next steps and depending on your path, be sure to take the following into consideration:
If you landed another internship:
Figuring out the answers to these questions can prepare you for success as you start your next internship. Communicate these findings with your team and supervisor. They can help you find opportunities to further engage those interests.
Additionally, consider asking your team for constructive feedback on your current performance and discuss how you can improve. This is a great opportunity to identify any blind spots and ask for advice.
If you’re offered a full-time opportunity:
Congrats! This is one of the biggest compliments your internship supervisor can extend to you. Now it’s time to get to work.
Schedule a time with your supervisor to discuss the transition. Here are a handful of key questions you should ask:
The big takeaway here is communication. All of these questions are important to discuss and while most supervisors will take the lead on discussing these things with you, don’t be afraid to take charge and start the conversation first.
If there isn’t a potential for you to stay on for another internship or full-time:
It’s hard to hear, but nonetheless, thank your team for everything they’ve taught you and give it your all until the very end! Try not to take the rejection personally. Your team may want to keep you, but they may not have the space or the financial capacity. It’s also possible that your long-term career goals don’t coincide with the organization’s goals—and that’s okay! There will be more opportunities for you that could potentially lead to something long-term.
While your time with this company may be coming to an end, the relationships and connections you’ve made will still carry over well after you’ve finished your internship! Utilize your network and ask for people’s help in securing another opportunity. Ask if your teammates are willing to be a reference, if they can endorse your skills on LinkedIn or even write a recommendation on your profile. Be sure to extend the offer to help build them up as well!
Regardless of the outcome, give yourself a pat on the back for landing an internship and taking this opportunity to learn more about yourself, having the courage to express your interest and asking for what you want.
by Cameron Warren and Sydney Olszewski
Marketers at Charles Aris Inc.
A summer internship is a staple for many college students worldwide. Being able to shadow, learn and soak in all that an organization has to offer is what students like yourself are looking for in an internship experience, but what happens when being in-person is no longer an option?
COVID-19 has forced many teams to cancel their internship plans for the summer, but those that held on are facing a new challenge – running an internship program remotely. If you’re one of the lucky interns whose summer plans remain intact, we’re here to ensure you’re prepared to tackle this unique experience like a pro.
Set up your workspace
Before starting your internship, it’s essential to get your workplace situated, whether you’re living with family, friends, roommates or by yourself!
The goal of a remote internship is to mimic an in-person experience as much as possible. Setting up your workplace to reflect what it’d look like in an office setting will help you feel like you’re there. You wouldn’t walk into the office and expect to crash on the couch or lounge in bed; the same goes for working remotely! Create your own workstation in a clean, well-lit location with little foot traffic and low noise level. When considering the location of your workplace, ensure that you have a strong WiFi connection and good cell service.
At minimum, invest in a desk and comfortable chair; you’ll spend many hours here, so make the most out of it! Other features that can help maximize your work include: an extra monitor, an adjustable laptop stand, a wireless keyboard and mouse, a Type-C USB hub and surge protectors. Don’t forget to customize your work area with any personal touches like plants, motivational quotes, candles or photos of friends and family.
Before beginning your internship, don’t be afraid to reach out to your company to ensure you have everything you need. Some companies may issue specific documents, manuals, training guides or technology that they need to give you, or they may recommend certain items. If you need something from your company, communicate with them to best figure out how to receive the materials. This is also a good time to stock up on highlighters, pens, sticky notes or anything that will help you get work done.
Establish a routine
While you’re working from home, it can be tempting to sleep in and roll out of bed five minutes before your workday begins, but this can ruin your entire day. Set yourself up for success by establishing a routine! Get yourself an appropriate amount of sleep, wake up at the same time every day, make yourself coffee and breakfast, and plan out your day. If you’re living with roommates, friends or family, communicate your work hours to them to minimize distractions and interruptions.
Additionally, be sure to treat your remote internship like a regular in-office job; block off time on your calendar and dedicate time to work on the various projects you have.
Given the remote environment, it is also essential to plan for breaks ahead of time. In the office, an easy way to give yourself a break is to take a trip to the water cooler, coffee station or to chat with a fellow co-worker. Working from home makes it easier for you to get absorbed in your work, so be mindful and plan a few breaks throughout your day to maintain productivity.
Dress for success
When you work from home, it can be incredibly tempting to stay in comfortable clothes all day. While you may think this is the best way for you to work, the reality is that this won’t put you in the right headspace.
The first step is to figure out how your team is expected to dress. If these guidelines aren’t given to you before your first day, don’t be afraid to ask! It’s much less embarrassing to send a quick email to your supervisor asking what the expectation for dress is than to show up to your first video call wearing a t-shirt when everyone else is in professional wear.
Now, you may be thinking: “All that matters is that I look professional from the waist up because I’ll be on video calls all day long”. In theory, you’re right, but there’s more to it. Getting dressed from top to bottom is going to put you in a better, more professional headspace throughout the day. Plus, those pajama pants you want to wear are going to make the couch look way more tempting than it needs to during the workday.
Remember that just because you’re not in the office doesn’t mean you can’t act like you are. Pretend your at-home desk is a cubicle on the second floor of your organization’s office building; you’ll thank yourself for it later.
Communication is key
Communication is important in any role, team or organization you’re in, but it’s amplified when you move to a remote work environment. Fellow interns and supervisors can’t see what you’re doing all day, and if you go radio silent it’s only natural for them to assume that the work they’re assigning isn’t getting done.
Take the initiative to reach out to the people on your team throughout the day. Check-in first thing in the morning and let them know what you’ll be working on. After lunch, check-in again to see if there’s anything you need to do before end of day. At the end of the day, check-in once more to recap your day and get any final thoughts from your supervisor. The key theme? Check-in! It won’t annoy your teammates and will show them your level of hardwork and dedication.
Beyond your normal communication around tasks and projects you complete, don’t be afraid to set up video calls periodically to get to know your team members. When you’re in an office setting, that comes naturally, but when you’re working remote, you must work harder at it. This rings true for your supervisors, fellow interns and other teammates. Don’t let these circumstances get in the way of one of the best parts of an internship experience – cultivating relationships.
The overall message? Communication, communication … and then more communication!
Go the extra mile
To get the most out of your internship, keep a record of your accomplishments, lessons learned and challenges faced while in your program. The time spent during your internship and the projects you complete tend to go by quickly, so having a record of major focus areas and accomplishments is a great way to keep track of your experience. This log can benefit you as you look to update your résumé and fill out your portfolio, and can even help your organization because these tangible achievements can be used to quantify the benefit of their internship program. It’s truly a win-win!
Interested in becoming an executive recruiting intern? Email your cover letter and résumé to Charles Aris learning and development leader Brent Anthony at brent.anthony@charlesaris.com. Internships run year-round.
Interested in the Charles Aris internship program but would rather hone your skills in research, data analytics, marketing, video production or graphic design? Email your cover letter and résumé to Charles Aris vice president Brian Styers at brian.styers@charlesaris.com. Internships run year-round.
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