Jul 29, 2026
Work Life
Ask a Recruiter: From Internship to What’s Next
You've closed out the summer – now make the most of what comes after.
By Emma See, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner
The final weeks of an internship come faster than you would expect. You’re wrapping up projects, saying your thank-yous, handing back your access card, and suddenly wondering what happens next. Whether you're hoping for a return offer, heading back to school, or planning to apply for full-time roles, how you close out your internship matters just as much as how you started it.
Here's how to finish strong, protect the relationships you built, and set yourself up for what's next.
Close the Loop Before You Leave
The transition out of an internship is just as important as the work you did during it. Don't let your last week disappear into clean-out tasks and farewell lunches.
Wrap up your work. Document what you did, where files live, and what's still in progress. Make it easy for whoever picks up after you. That's the kind of professionalism people remember.
Have a closing conversation with your manager. Ask what stood out, where you grew, and suggestions on what to focus on next. Ask directly: "Would you hire me back, and if so, what would you want to see from me between now and then?"
Thank the people who helped you along the way. Send a handwritten note or email to your manager, the intern coordinator, your mentor, and those who helped you along the way.
Ask for a recommendation. A written recommendation or a LinkedIn recommendation from a manager or mentor is one of the most valuable things you can leave with. Ask before your last day, while the experience is top of mind.
Recruiter tip: The question I wish more interns would ask their manager on the way out is the direct one: "Would you hire me back?" I know it feels bold, but in my experience, managers respect the candor. Even if the answer is "not yet," you'll walk away knowing exactly what to work on.
Turn the Summer into Your Story
Everything you did this summer is raw material. Your job now is to shape it into something you can use on a resume, on your LinkedIn profile, in an interview, or in a networking conversation.
Update your resume. Don't wait until you're applying for something. Add your role, projects, and quantifiable wins while the details are fresh.
Refresh your LinkedIn. Add the internship, list your key accomplishments, and consider a short post reflecting on what you learned. Recruiters notice.
Share your experience. If you enjoyed your internship experience, make sure to share it with others. You ultimately serve as a brand ambassador moving forward.
Recruiter tip: Think of your resume as a story, not a checklist. What problems did you help solve? What results came from your contributions? What did you learn, and how does it shape what you want next? Add key projects, tools used, skills developed, and moments you’re proud of.
Use the Gap Intentionally
Whatever comes between your internship and your next chapter – a semester, a few months, a job search – is not dead time. It's the time when you turn experience into direction.
Notice what energized you. This includes not just what you were good at, but what you actually looked forward to. Those are different things, and the second one is the better signal for what to do next.
Fill the gaps you found. If the summer revealed a skill you wished you had, this is the time to learn it, while the motivation is strong.
Don't disappear from the industry. Read newsletters, follow companies, and keep a running list of teams and roles that interest you. When the next opportunity opens, you want to be the person who already understands the landscape.
Recruiter tip: The candidates who stand out to me aren't the ones who filled every gap with another line on their resume – they're the ones who used the time to get sharper about who they are and what they want.
Stay Connected the Right Way
The end of your internship isn't the end of the relationship. It's the start of your professional network. But staying in touch takes intention.
Connect on LinkedIn before your last day. Send personalized notes to the people you worked closely with. Reference something specific you appreciated.
Prioritize the hiring managers. Your day-to-day teammates matter, but it's hiring managers who make return-offer decisions and have the clearest visibility into upcoming headcount. Before you leave, make sure you’ve spoken with the hiring manager.
Reach out periodically, not just when you need something. Send a quick note when you see someone's promotion, a new product launch, or a company milestone.
Recruiter tip: If a return offer isn't in the cards this year, don't disappear. Stay in touch a couple of times a year. The internship may end in August, but the relationships don’t have to. Some of the strongest full-time candidates I see are former interns who stayed connected.
An internship isn’t just a line on your resume. It’s proof that you’ve done the work, contributed value, and shown up. Finish the work. Thank the people who helped you get here. Take the time to figure out where you're headed next. And stay in touch along the way. Wherever your next chapter takes you, we're cheering you on.
Jul 27, 2026
Corporate
TrackGuard+ pairs a 21–26% premium bonus with up to 28% penalty-free liquidity, so clients don't have to choose between growth and accessZionsville, Ind. (July 27, 2026) – Delaware Life Insurance Company, a leading provider of innovative and customizable financial solutions, today launched TrackGuard+TM, a bonus fixed index annuity (FIA) that combines a high upfront premium bonus, a strong lineup of index crediting strategies, enhanced in-contract liquidity, and principal protection in a sin...
Jul 14, 2026
Corporate
Zionsville, Ind. (July 14, 2026) – Delaware Life Insurance Company, a leading provider of innovative and customizable financial solutions, has been named as a 2026 Ward’s 50 L&H Top Performer for the seventh consecutive year. "Seven years of recognition by the Ward Group is a testament to the discipline, focus, and care our team brings to this business every day," said Dan Towriss, President and CEO of Group 1001, parent company of Delaware Life. “Our commitment to excellence and u...
Jul 1, 2026
Work Life
This past May, we closed out the 2026 Front-Line Management Program (FMP) with a celebration of 47 graduates who spent four months sharpening the skills that turn good managers into great leaders.The FMP is a cohort-based development program designed for Group 1001 managers and supervisors, each nominated by their own leaders. It's designed to equip our front-line leaders with the foundational skills to lead others effectively, build high-performing teams, and elevate engagement across the o...
Jun 29, 2026
Corporate
Work Life
Chief Information Security Officer Chris Kennedy has been named a winner of the 2026 BostonCISO ORBIE Awards in the Large Enterprise category. The ORBIE Awards honor technology executives who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact.The recognition reflects Kennedy's leadership and vision in transforming the Group 1001 cybersecurity program, building on his 27-year career that began in the United States Marine Corps and has since included senior security leadership ro...
Jun 11, 2026
Work Life
You've made it through week one – now make the rest count.By Emma See, Senior Talent Acquisition PartnerBy now, you’ve learned your way around and met the people you'll be working with this summer. The first-week nerves have faded, and you're starting to feel more comfortable in your role. This is when the real opportunity begins.The interns who turn a summer role into a launchpad aren't necessarily the ones with the most polished resumes – they're the ones who make every wee...
May 19, 2026
Sponsorship
Gainbridge℠ Brand Ambassador Ready for Epic Race Day ExperienceZionsville, Ind. (May 19, 2026) – Gainbridge℠ brand ambassador and Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark will serve as Grand Marshal of the 110th Indianapolis 500® Presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 24 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. As Grand Marshal, Clark will give the traditional command for drivers to report to their cars during the official pre-race ceremonies. The command will be shown live on FOX’s Race Day broadcast, ...
May 14, 2026
Sponsorship
Community
For the third consecutive year, GainbridgeSM, a simple, safe way to save, is joining forces with Parity and the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF®) to invest in girls and women through sports and education – awarding $250,000 in grants to organizations across the country.Through Gainbridge Assists Powered by Parity, Gainbridge, Parity, and WSF will award 30 grants of $5,000 – a number with deep meaning in women’s sports history. In 1974, Billie Jean King founded the Women’s Sports Foundation us...
May 12, 2026
Work Life
You’ve landed the internship - now what? By Emma See, Senior Talent Acquisition PartnerAfter rounds of applications, interviews, and anticipation, you've officially landed an internship. But as the start date approaches, questions set in: What should I wear? What if I don’t connect with anyone? How do I make a great first impression?Here is some advice on navigating your first week like a pro and setting the tone for a standout internship experience.Before Day One: Preparation is Your Superp...
Apr 8, 2026
Corporate
Group 1001 announced the successful completion of its first SOC 2 Type II examination with zero exceptions – a rare achievement for a first-time examination that positions the company among the insurance industry's leaders in data security and operational excellence.The certification encompasses Onyx, Group 1001's cloud-native annuity administration system that supports new business for two Group 1001 companies – Delaware Life Insurance Company (“Delaware Life”) and Gainbridge Life Insur...
Mar 9, 2026
Sponsorship
Rising soccer stars join ambassador roster alongside Billie Jean King, Caitlin Clark, Annika Sörenstam, and Briana ScurryGainbridgeSM, a simple, safe way to save, today announced nine brand ambassadors, representing each team in the Gainbridge Super League, a Division One women’s soccer league. This announcement, following International Women's Day, reflects Gainbridge's continued commitment to women's sports, with more than 40% of its sponsorship dollars supporting women's athle...
Feb 4, 2026
Corporate
In this Nasdaq LIVE interview, Colin Lake, President and CEO of Delaware Life Marketing, unveils its L.I.V.E. framework, a new way to reframe how retirees and advisors think about retirement risk through four key dimensions: Longevity, Inflation, Volatility, and Emotion.The conversation begins with Longevity risk: people are living significantly longer than their ancestors did. That’s good news – but it also means retirement can last 20, 30, or even more years, creating a very real risk of outli...
Jan 26, 2026
Corporate
Delaware Life Insurance Company reached a major milestone in its inaugural year in the pension risk transfer (PRT) business, successfully supporting plan sponsors in completing over $1 billion in transactions. This impressive achievement underscores the company’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions and expanding its presence in the institutional market.PRT enables companies to transfer their pension obligations to a life insurance carrier, offering greater security for plan participant...
Jan 20, 2026
Corporate
Launch coincides with Bitcoin's 17th anniversary and the second anniversary of IBITZionsville, Ind. (January 20, 2026) – Delaware Life Insurance Company, a Group 1001 company, today announced the addition of the BlackRock U.S. Equity Bitcoin Balanced Risk 12% Index to its fixed index annuity (FIA) portfolio, making Delaware Life the first insurance carrier to offer an index that contains cryptocurrency. This strategic addition enables investors to diversify their portfolios and gain exposure...
Nov 14, 2025
Sponsorship
Community
During its 2025 State of Sports event, Indiana Sports Corp unveiled three annual awards that recognize organizations and individuals who elevate community impact through sports. The organization recognized Group 1001 as the Corporate Partner of the Year, highlighting Group 1001's support and hands-on partnership that expands access to sports for young Hoosiers. Group 1001's partnership with Indiana Sports Corp includes being the presenting sponsor of the organization’s Community Impact P...
Nov 12, 2025
Corporate
Group 1001 Insurance today announced it has been named the Americas regional winner for the 2025 Gartner Eye on Innovation Award for Insurance for its innovative Transfer Automation Packet solution. This recognition underscores Group 1001’s commitment to developing modern technology that drives innovation and delivers transformative solutions in the financial services industry. The Gartner Eye on Innovation Award for Insurance recognizes innovative use of digital technology-enabled capabilities,...
Nov 6, 2025
Sponsorship
Penske Entertainment Corp. and Gainbridge®, an insurtech subsidiary of Group 1001 Insurance Holdings, LLC (“Group 1001”) that empowers consumers to take control of their financial future, today announced a multi-year sponsorship agreement, reinforcing a longstanding relationship between the two brands. Under the agreement, Gainbridge will continue to serve as the presenting sponsor of the Indianapolis 500®, the world’s largest single-day spectator sporting event. Gainbridge invests in impactful s...
Oct 30, 2025
Corporate
Delaware Life’s Colin Lake, President & CEO of Delaware Life Marketing, sits down with Gregg Greenberg to share his insights around one of the most important, yet often overlooked risks in retirement, the Sequence of Returns Risk. Colin explains how this risk can dramatically impact how long your clients’ savings last, especially if they experience market downturns early in retirement.The interview explores:What is Sequence of Returns Risk?Why Should Retirees Care?A Real-World ExampleStrateg...
Oct 24, 2025
Corporate
By Chris Kennedy, Chief Information Security Officer, Group 1001At Group 1001, cybersecurity isn’t just a requirement; it’s a strategic competency that enables our mission as a next-generation financial services company. We understand that technology alone doesn’t secure our future. It’s the people behind it: our employees, our partners, and our customers who form the most integral part of our security supply chain. Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an opportunity to spark deeper conversations ab...
Oct 10, 2025
Corporate
AM Best has revised its outlook to “Positive” from “Stable” for the following subsidiaries of Group 1001 Insurance Holdings, LLC: Delaware Life Insurance Company, Clear Spring Life and Annuity Company, and Gainbridge Life Insurance Company. According to the report from AM Best, the positive outlook reflects the companies’ strong level of risk-adjusted capitalization and consistent execution of their business strategy.“This positive outlook from AM Best is a strong acknowledgement of our financia...
Sep 30, 2025
Corporate
Group 1001 Insurance, a leading financial services company, today announced the appointment of Derek Towriss as President of Gainbridge Insurance Agency, LLC. Towriss has extensive experience in financial services, process improvement, and implementing forward-thinking strategies that align with the company’s growth plans. “Derek’s proven track record of leadership and deep understanding of our annuity products and systems will guide Gainbridge to the next level of success,” said Linda Wang, pre...
Sep 17, 2025
Corporate
In a recent Asset TV Interview, Colin Lake, President and CEO of Delaware Life Marketing, shared how the company is redefining annuity strategies to better serve advisors and clients in today’s evolving market.At the heart of Delaware Life’s success are seven pillars that guide everything employees do: clear processes, transparent messaging, advisor focus, technology, integrity, training, and a winning culture. Together, they’ve driven nearly 50% compound annual growth since 2023—well above indu...
Sep 4, 2025
Sponsorship
Community
Grants honor Billie Jean King’s legacy and help power the next generation of leaders in sports and educationZionsville, Ind. (Sept. 4, 2025) – Gainbridge®, Parity, and the Women’s Sports Foundation® (WSF®) today announced the 2025 recipients of the Gainbridge® Assists Powered by Parity grant program, awarding $227,000 in funding to 33 deserving organizations and athletes across 21 states. These grants aim to level the playing field and expand access to sports and education for girls and women ac...
Aug 18, 2025
Corporate
Delaware Life Insurance Company, a Group 1001 company, announces Barron’s has included the Accelerator Prime® Variable Annuity (“APVA”) in their “100 Best Annuities” annual list, marking APVA’s sixth consecutive appearance in the list. APVA was recognized for its income guarantees in the categories of both Single Life and Joint Life. “We are honored to be included in Barron’s best annuities list for the sixth straight year. This achievement underscores the strength of our company and our commitm...
Aug 8, 2025
Corporate
By Dale Uthoff, Chief Product Officer, and Jason Newkirk, Vice President, Hedging and Quantitative SolutionsRegistered Index-Linked Annuities (RILAs) have seen rapid growth and have gained popularity with investors who want the potential for market growth—but with some level of protection if the market goes down. While this sounds like a great deal, the investor experience is a bit more complicated, and the “upside” may not always be as high as it first appears.What is a RILA?A RILA is a type of...
Aug 7, 2025
Corporate
Group 1001 Insurance, a leading financial services company, today announced the promotion of Linda Wang to President of its Life & Annuity business unit. In addition to this new role, Wang will continue to serve as Chief Financial Officer of Group 1001 Insurance, maintaining oversight of the company’s financial strategy and performance.Over the past several years, Wang has led with strategic vision, financial discipline, and operational excellence. As President of the Life & Annuity busi...