Intern Story: A Full-Time Team Member Reflects On His Sales Internship Experience

Hello! My name is Jacob Sapolin, and I’m a Mortgage Banker at Rocket Mortgage®. Prior to beginning my full-time role in January 2021, I spent nearly 2 years as a Sales Intern. The opportunity to have two internships with Rocket Companies® was incredible for me, and it was one of the main reasons I decided to transition to a full-time role. As I progress further into my career, I continue to realize the numerous ways that my internship has helped me become successful in my role.

Here are a few ways that being an intern helped me grow in my career. 

Networking is one of the most important skills to master. The quote, “It’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know,” will prove true numerous times in every aspect of your life. The people I met and interacted with at Rocket Companies helped me reach great success during my internships. During both of my internship experiences, I surrounded myself with very successful team members and leaders who helped me accomplish the goals I set for myself in both my internship and personal life. These same team members have also helped me progress in my current role with the powerful advice they continue to provide me with on a regular basis. 

Being an intern for Rocket Companies is unlike any other internship experience you’ll ever have. From day one, you’re integrated into a team and provided with the same responsibilities as the full-time team members you work with each day. These experiences provide you with valuable experience in your field, and you also play a role in helping the company achieve its goals. With the hands-on experience and responsibilities that I had during my two internships, I learned what is expected of me in my current role, and I was able to hit the ground running from my first day. 

One of my favorite things about Rocket Companies is the culture. During my first internship, I learned about the philosophies that shape this company culture, known as ISMs, and adopted them into my professional and personal life. Immersing myself in these principles drove me to accomplish a ton throughout my internship experience and has provided a strong foundation for me to lean on going forward. The ISMs continue to inspire me to be a great team member and a great sibling, son and friend. In my full-time role, living the ISMs helps me and my teammates reach success every day.

As a Sales Intern, I had the opportunity of receiving nearly 100 hours of sales training each summer. During my second internship, I passed the SAFE exam to become a federally licensed Mortgage Loan Originator. Completing this milestone in my internship allowed me to fast-track my career and hit the banking floor even faster. For those not in sales, you can still fast-track your career by participating in trainings found on The Journey, an internal learning platform at Rocket Companies, and taking advantage of shadowing opportunities.

Goal setting is one of the best things I learned to do during my internships. It’s important to set short-term and long-term goals. No one wants to remain stagnant, so setting strategic, attainable goals for both your career and your personal life will not only inspire you but will also provide you a pathway for success.

Write your goals down and share them with others! By simply documenting your goals, you become 42% more likely to achieve them, according to the Huffington Post. Sharing your goals with others also helps motivate you and establishes accountability. I believe you should always have at least five personal and professional goals. For 2021, I made nine personal and seven professional goals, and I'm making significant progress toward my intended outcomes.

The unique opportunities that come with interning at Rocket Companies are unmatched. From the networking to the exposure to different fields, you’re sure to expand your professional experience and find a career path that’s right for you. To hear more about why people like me love interning with Rocket Companies, check out this article.