Yesterday I spent the day interviewing interns.  Yes, interns.

It was a bit of an eye opening experience about a number of things.

1) Universities teach the wrong stuff to marketers.  Maybe it’s just my focus on startups and tech businesses, but it really seems like they focus too much on the big picture, the theory, and not enough on the execution.  When I was in college (Computer Science), they taught us how to PROGRAM.  If you’re studying marketing, why don’t they teach you how to execute and measure marketing programs? That’s what you’re going to be doing most of the time, and what you’ll be doing when you get out of school.

2)  We’re turning out great entrepreneurs.  Most people that I interviewed had big plans.  One guy had already purchased and turned around a business and had it operating, profitably generating “passive income.”  The people coming out of school these days have, generally, a pretty positive and aggressive outlook on life.  I really think they’ll make some great entrepreneurs someday (and already are to a certain extent).

Over time, we’ll see how the intern situation develops.  It’s the first time we’ll have interns in TEMPUS.  And, while I’ve used them at other gigs, TEMPUS is a very different organization.  While I’m strongly committed to training and trying to mentor, I think it will take a very self-determined and motivated person to “swim” here.

But, the interns are our future, so we’ll do it.  “Teach them well and let them lead the way…”

OMG, Whitney?  Too much egg nog.

Merry [[insertholidayyoudohere]] everyone!