A Milestone Monday of Discovery and Strategy at the International Leadership & Business Internship

Monday afternoon set the stage for entrepreneurial inspiration as the 2025 International Leadership and Business interns engaged in two dynamic sessions that laid the foundation for a week of strategic thinking and creative problem-solving.

First, branding expert Carla Brooks led a compelling session that encouraged interns to think critically about storytelling, identity, and the power of perception in building a business. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, interns began shaping how they’d position their ventures and support those of their partners.

Next, business strategist Eric Rosenstein guided interns through a deep dive into business plans, models, and planning. His lecture demystified core concepts and gave interns practical frameworks to structure their ideas with confidence and clarity. He also made sure to get the interns' input as he discussed different business models and asked interns to share if they had experience starting their own businesses.

The final lecture of the day was a discussion on SWOT analysis. The interns learned that Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats were the key components of a SWOT Analysis. By evaluating these four elements, businesses can better understand their current position, make informed decisions, and develop strategies to capitalize on advantages while addressing challenges and minimizing risks. The interns will be able to apply these lessons directly to the work they will be doing for their business partners.

After a day full of lectures, the interns were able to have some time to relax and have discussions with their teams about both what they had learned by meeting with their business partners and also talk about their upcoming mentor meetings!

To round out the day, interns participated in their first mentor meetings: intimate and impactful one-on-one conversations with seasoned professionals and international development experts. These sessions encouraged fresh perspectives and tailored advice on how to move past roadblocks and elevate their projects.