Madison Summer Intern Reflects on Two Impactful Days in Chicago

By Gracie Jania, Accounting Summer Intern, Task Force Tips

I recently traveled to Chicago with my fellow interns to participate in Madison’s Intern Social and volunteer at the Chicago Jesuit Academy. Throughout the two-day experience, I built new professional relationships, gained valuable insights from colleagues across the organization, and helped make a positive impact in the local community.

During my first day in Chicago, the interns gathered at the Madison Industries office for the Intern Social. We heard from executives at Madison Industries and Madison Air who taught us how to strategically and authentically network, as well as how to refine our résumés to best showcase our skills and experiences. Soon after, we were joined by Madison Industries Founder and CEO Larry Gies for a fireside chat, where we were challenged to search within ourselves to further define our purpose in business.

To close the evening, we met with executives of Madison’s subsidiaries at Gibsons Italia for good food and great company. This was an incredible opportunity for us to ask questions and learn from those who came before us with powerful experiences to share.

The next morning, my fellow interns and I ventured west to the Chicago Jesuit Academy, a full-scholarship school for 3rd–8th grade boys and girls on Chicago’s West Side that Larry Gies was instrumental in establishing. There, we split into small groups and were assigned different areas to serve on the school grounds. Throughout the day, my group and I supported several projects focused on improving the campus environment, including maintaining outdoor areas, optimizing common spaces, and helping ensure classrooms were tidy and prepared for learning activities.

While I expected to enjoy my time in Chicago, I left with far more than great memories. Over the span of two days, I learned from remarkable leaders, worked alongside an incredible team, and contributed to serving a mission greater than myself.