Interns Asked, Experts Answered: Follow-up Questions from Intern Connect 2025

At Intern Connect 2025, we gave interns the opportunity to ask our speakers their pressing questions about how to navigate life as an up-and-coming professional. There were so many insightful questions that we couldn’t answer them all, but don’t worry: our speakers decided to answer the rest! Whether you’re worried about navigating early career decisions, building new relationships, or finding your place in West Michigan, their advice is worth the read.

 

Frances Hogsten- Vice President of Global Human Resources at Haworth

Q: How do you build energy and passion for each project you do?

A: I am a process thinker and problem solver. Each project I embark upon I see as an opportunity to improve something. I like to spend time with those stakeholders involved in the project/process. This “pumps” me up and helps me develop a sense of purpose. I look at projects from a “user experience” standpoint and try to set the vision of the project around that. Understanding the “why” of the projects energizes me. Working with others to understand their perspective also energizes me.

 

Q: Advice for navigating being a young woman in a male-dominated industry and maintaining boundaries while still building meaningful relationships?

A: Great question, one that I personally have encountered throughout my career. One that I have learned to shift my mindset around. One can argue that it is a male-saturated industry; one that can compete in. Along my career, I have learned that developing relationships with professionals across all generations, genders, and experiences has given me the opportunity to learn and collaborate on solutions that have helped me demonstrate my skills and experiences. Being intentional in speaking up has been something I have had to work on; but now comes naturally. Being vocal about our ambitions is another way – letting male leaders know what you’re aiming for and ask for their partnerships – this builds visibility and accountability.

Some areas in which I leveraged building these relationships were through informal mentoring opportunities at work or networking events. One last thing – I believe that women who are advancing need to reach a hand back to other women and help them advance too – partner with other females in your company/industry that can help you – there are many mentoring platforms out there. Let your core values guide everything you do. The highest level of performance comes not just from your skills, but more importantly, from living your values and principles. Consistency creates a reputation that can not be ignored but must be acknowledged and respected. Your personal values define you – a uniqueness others will embrace (or walk away from)

Q: How do you recover from making a mistake?

A: Grace and perspective – give yourself grace, gain perspective on the mistake and the impact it had, tackle the “course correction” with clarity and professionalism. Be transparent about it (own it)

 

Q: With the current job market for recent graduates, what do you think the impact will be with companies using AI?

A: The West Michigan region has an opportunity to increase the talent pipeline – we are a strong region, and more and more jobs are opening – there is a lot of investment in this region. There are more jobs than applicants. There are skills that will become more critical to fill those jobs: trade skills, STEM-related skills, problem-solving, communications, human centered skills. AI will have an impact in helping us become more efficient; I don’t see it ever replacing humans. The most effective use of AI is when it is led/guided/complemented by human interaction. As professionals, we will need to learn how to use it and take advantage of the power of AI. It’s kinda like the Internet – it never replaced the human, but it certainly helped us become more efficient. Like any tool, it has to be put to good use.

 

Rosalynn Bliss- Former Mayor of Grand Rapids

Q: What do you do to “recharge” to avoid burnout after long hours of being professional and fully present?

A: I have a number of things I do that help me stay centered and provide a bit of relief from a stressful day or week. They include yoga, reading, doing puzzles, walking, kayaking or getting out into nature. But I know that everyone is different, so find something that you love and that brings you joy, and build it into your day or week. Don’t let it be the first thing you cancel when you are busy or your mind, body and spirit will suffer.

 

Q: How can I address team members who have a habit of talking about their frustrations only after a meeting rather than during the meeting?

A: I would meet with them and share my observations and feedback. I would validate their feelings and let them know that I can understand why they may feel frustrated. However, it would be more helpful to the team if they would share those frustrations and concerns with everyone so that we could focus on finding solutions. If there is a reason they don’t feel comfortable having open and honest conversations during meetings, then that is a situation that needs to be addressed first – and I would wonder if others feel that same way. I try to see situations like this as opportunities for improvement and an opportunity to address other underlying issues that may exist. Overall, I believe most situations can be addressed through respectful, honest and thoughtful conversations.

 

Q: People often say quality over quantity for relationship creation. Do you agree? If so, how do you determine what relationships should be sought after?

A: I believe that both quality and quantity matter when it comes to building relationships. This requires one to be intentional with their time, both in finding time to spend with someone and being present while together. And when it comes to determining who to build relationships with, I think of concentric circles – start with the individuals that are closest to your core, such as your direct reports and colleagues and then go out from there. After you have established meaningful relationships internally, start to build relationships with individuals at other organizations that you partner with on a regular basis. Eventually, your network will continue to expand and you will be able to determine who the key people are that you will want to know well.

 

Angie Wittkowski- Director of Global Talent Management at Amway

Q: How do you find a balance between taking a job just because it’s available and valuing your current self?

A: Finding the balance between taking a job just because it’s available and honoring your current self comes down to clarity—both about your immediate needs and your long-term values. Sometimes, taking a job is a practical decision—you need income, experience, or stability. That’s valid. But even in those moments, try to ask: Does this role take me further from who I want to become—or can I find a way to align it, even loosely, with my growth and my career experience.

Ask: am I compromising short-term or abandoning what matters to me entirely? Will this choice create possibilities, or will it erode my energy and skills?

I’ve also found that honoring my current self doesn’t always mean waiting for the perfect opportunity. It means staying rooted in my values while being open, adaptable, and strategic—especially in uncertain times. The balance isn’t about perfection. It’s about making the best decision you can with honesty, self-compassion, and a clear sense of what matters most – and when you are early in your career – it’s about experience, connections and demonstrating what you can do!