By Jim Toes
President and CEO, STA

This STA article is dedicated to financial services interns in the United States and Canada, many of whom have started their internships in recent weeks. Please forward to those interns working among us this summer!

Welcome to the Intern Class of 2025!

Now that summer is upon us, we’d like to wish a warm welcome to all of the interns who are kickstarting their careers over the next few months.

As members of a fast-paced industry keen on constant evolution and modernity, referencing the “apprenticeship model” might seem odd. However, this model continues to serve as a cornerstone for nurturing talent and passing on crucial skills. This approach ensures that knowledge, techniques, and insights developed over years of experience are not only preserved, but actively transferred to the next generation.

This model also serves as a reminder that technical skills and academic knowledge provide a foundation for a career that sees further growth through real-world experiences and relationship building – as many of you will soon learn, success and growth within this industry is not an exact science!

At its core, the apprenticeship model offers invaluable benefits, particularly in a fast-paced industry like financial services. Hands-on learning enables interns and junior employees to understand nuances that textbooks often overlook, fostering a deeper understanding of the relationships and principles that lay the foundation for our industry. The apprenticeship model also fosters a culture of continuous learning and adaptation. Seasoned professionals not only teach the proper technical skills, but also share soft skills that fosters natural career growth and strategic thinking.

STA’s founding principle, dictum meum pactum, or “my word is my bond,” guides our members through their careers and serves as a testament to the camaraderie and mutual respect within our industry. This guiding principle not only accelerates professional growthbut also instills a sense of responsibility and integrity.

STA and its affiliates offer several resources for students interested in financial services. See below for some of the many ways you can insert yourself into the STA community, and perhaps find a path that aligns with your goals.

Enjoy your internships, and best of luck to you this summer!