At RELI Group, our internship program is a meaningful part of our talent development efforts. With opportunities available year-round, our teams look forward to welcoming new students into hands-on roles where they can grow, contribute and explore potential career paths.
To showcase what it’s like to transition from intern to full-time employee, we spoke with three former interns who are now thriving members of our full-time team: Ryan Haque, Ella Leslie and Jacob Khlor. In this post, they share insights from their journeys and advice for future interns hoping to follow in their footsteps.
Background & Entry
What initially attracted you to applying for an internship at RELI? Did the opportunity align with your direct field of study or career goals?
- Ryan: I think what first drew me to RELI was the promise of meaningful work, great people and opportunities to grow. I was interested in working with an organization that would allow me to contribute in a meaningful way while also allowing me to grow as a professional in a fast-paced, high-accountability setting. While this opportunity certainly fit within my broader interests in terms of strategy, business and public-sector consulting, I think what really differentiated this opportunity for me was the sense that this was a place where hard work, maturity and initiative could earn trust over time.
- Ella: My previous HR and admin experience for another government contractor directly aligned with my goals for a career path. At Towson University, my degree was in Business Admin with a concentration in HR and minor in Marketing. The opportunity at RELI was another way to serve the mission and while focusing directly on my career goals.
- Jacob: I was attracted to the role of compliance intern after learning about RELI’s strong culture and employee support. Even when I knew it did not exactly align with my studies in finance, I still knew it would benefit my long-term career goals.
Internship Experience
What were your main responsibilities as an intern? What skills did you develop during your internship? Can you share a project or moment that stood out?
- Ryan: Throughout my internship, I attempted to work with a mindset where I felt I was not simply there to observe, but to also contribute in a meaningful way. I tried to ensure I was reliable, a quick learner and took ownership of the work in front of me, even when it pushed me to my limits. It allowed me to improve my professional skills in communication, promptness, research and problem-solving, as well as learning how to work with more confidence in a team-oriented environment. What surprised me most, however, was how it seemed I was given more and more to do as I demonstrated I could do it, making it a very growth-oriented experience.
- Ella: As an intern I was responsible for onboarding, maintained records and kept employee files up to date, conducted audits, provided general administrative duties.
- Jacob: As a Compliance Intern, I got to directly support multiple client deliverables. Being an intern, I saw moments when last-minute items needed to be addressed, multiple people would rush to help. That is something that can’t be forced in a company but can be taught through the culture.
Transition to Full-Time
At what point did you realize you wanted to stay with RELI full-time? What was the transition process like from intern to full-time employee? Did your role change significantly after becoming full-time?
- Ryan: I saw that I wanted to be here full-time when I realized that growth here is based on trust, consistency and the ability to step into more. What made this experience compelling to me was not only the work itself, but the understanding that there was an opportunity to continue expanding my role if I continued showing up the right way. It felt like a natural progression to become full-time because I had already felt so invested in the team, the pace of the work and the understanding that I could continue to build on what I had already started. The largest change since going full-time is that I am no longer just expected to support the work, but to help drive it as well.
- Ella: I accepted another full-time job opportunity over the summer before a position at RELI became available. When given the chance to return to RELI, I took it! It meant a lot that they thought of me for the role. The transition was smooth and my role changed significantly with increased responsibility and ownership.
- Jacob: I realized about six months into my internship with RELI that this company could help support my growth professionally, even if I was in a fully remote position. The transition was very smooth even when moving to a different contract, a lot of tasks felt familiar from my former position. My role changed from assisting people from task to task to being in a position of trust with responsibilities that contribute to the plan of this contract.
Growth & Impact
How has your role evolved since starting as an intern? What opportunities have helped you grow professionally? How has RELI supported your development?
- Ryan: Since the start, my role has shifted to reflect a combination of professional development and trust. What has been most important to me is that RELI has been able to provide an environment where growth is not just discussed, but earned and then reinforced. This has been challenging for me in a positive way, and it has made me want to continue to push myself to become someone who can lead, add value at a different level and take on more responsibility.
- Ella: Since starting as an intern, my role has expanded significantly. While my responsibilities are similar, I now oversee much more, including benefits, payroll, deductions, AskHR and the HR mailbox. I also play a larger role in decision-making and my input is valued. I’ve moved from assisting with tasks to owning processes and contributing to decision-making. The increased responsibility and trust have strengthened my skills, confidence and overall impact on the team.
- Jacob: When I first started as an intern, my role evolved as I gained more experience and gained more responsibilities. RELI has always provided many opportunities to contribute to professional growth that also never became overwhelming. The management team always created a positive and supportive environment that I am proud to contribute to and pass on to others. These all helped contribute to my development as a RELI employee and will forever be thankful.
Advice
What advice would you give to interns hoping to secure a full-time role? What qualities make an intern stand out?
- Ryan: My advice to interns who are interested in getting a full-time position is to think of this internship as a starting point in building your professional reputation. Do small things well, be attentive, ask good questions and demonstrate your ability to be entrusted with more than you are given. It’s not necessarily the interns who are vocal in meetings; it’s those who are consistent, forward-thinking and make it easy for people to rely on you. Eventually, it’s this reliability that gets you into more opportunities.
- Ella: I would encourage interns to always think about how they can make the lives of those around them easier, especially through process improvements and taking initiative. Stay curious, ask thoughtful questions and look for ways to add value beyond your assigned tasks. It’s also important to communicate your interest in a full-time role and start that conversation early. Being proactive, engaged and solutions-oriented really helps an intern stand out.
- Jacob: My advice to all interns hoping for a full-time role at RELI is to always give your best effort and be engaging in your work. Your high-quality work will contribute to getting that full-time position so never give up.
Join the Team
RELI Group’s internship program is a stepping-stone toward meaningful, mission-driven work. As Ryan, Ella and Jacob’s stories show, interns who bring curiosity, initiative and a strong desire to make an impact can find a long-term home here. We are committed to providing an environment where emerging professionals are supported, challenged and empowered to grow.
If you are a current undergraduate or graduate student living in a designated HUBZone and are eager to contribute to purposeful work while developing your skills, we encourage you to explore our year-round internship opportunities.
