May 12, 2026
Work Life
Ask a Recruiter: Week One as an Intern and How to Start Strong
You’ve landed the internship - now what?
By Emma See, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner
After 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 Superpower
The best interns don't wait until Monday morning to start making an impression. Here's how to get ahead:
Do your homework. Research the company's mission, values, recent news, products, and culture. Browse the company website, LinkedIn, and blog. Walking in with context shows initiative and genuine interest.
Lock down the logistics. Confirm your start time, location (or virtual login details), dress code, and who to ask for upon arrival. Eliminate the small uncertainties so you can focus on the big stuff.
Set personal goals. What do you want to learn? What skills do you want to develop? Having a loose framework of objectives gives your internship direction from day one.
Recruiter tip: Don't be afraid to reach out to your recruiter or hiring manager before your start date. A quick email asking, "Is there anything I can read or review ahead of time to hit the ground running?" goes a long way.
Day One: Show Up Ready, Not Perfect
Your first day is about presence, not perfection. No one expects you to know everything – they expect you to be engaged, curious, and open to learning.
Arrive 10–15 minutes before your scheduled start time. It shows respect for other people's time and gives you a moment to settle in. Ask questions and take notes. It’s better to ask clarifying questions early on than to make assumptions or mistakes later. No one expects you to know everything on day one.
Recruiter tip: At Group 1001, one of our Core Values is Innovation – we are not afraid to fail, we stay curious, and we initiate change. That mindset applies to interns. You don't need to have all the answers in your first week. In fact, some of the most impressive interns we've seen are the ones who ask thoughtful questions, genuinely listen to the answers, and aren't afraid to say, "I don't know yet, but I'd love to learn." That’s the kind of curiosity that gets interns noticed.
The Conversations You Should Have During Week One
One of the most important things you can do early on is sit down with your manager and get aligned. This doesn't have to be formal. Ask questions like:
What does success look like for this internship?
What are the top priorities I should focus on first?
How do you prefer to communicate – email, Teams, in-person?
How often should we check in, and what format works best?
Is there anything I can start reading or reviewing to ramp up faster?
Who are the key people I should connect with?
Recruiter tip: Be the person who follows through, listens carefully, and communicates honestly.
Start Building Relationships
Your internship isn't just about the work on your desk – it's about the people around you. The relationships you build this summer can shape your career for years to come.
Connect with fellow interns. These are people going through the same experience, and those bonds can last well beyond the summer.
Introduce yourself proactively. Don't wait for others to come to you. A simple, "Hi, I just started as an intern," goes a long way. Most people remember and appreciate the intern who made the effort.
Connect on LinkedIn. After meeting someone, send a brief personalized connection request. It keeps the door open to future mentorship, references, and opportunities you can't yet predict.
Recruiter tip: Think of it as relationship-building, not "networking." Be genuine. The best professional connections happen naturally when you're curious and authentic.
Week One Wins to Aim For
Small victories add up and build momentum. By the end of your first week, try to:
Have an alignment conversation with your manager.
Get a notebook and start a running log of projects, skills, feedback, and questions that have come up (and answers).
Complete one productive task or deliverable.
Start introducing yourself to others and building relationships.
Your first week won't define your entire internship, but it will set the tone. Take a deep breath, stay curious, and get ready for a summer that could shape the trajectory of your career.
Nov 5, 2026
Corporate
ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (Nov. 5, 2026) – GainbridgeSM, one of the largest issuers of annuities without agents or commissions, has appointed Peter Bishop as Vice President of Marketing. Bishop brings more than 15 years of experience in financial services and software marketing.Bishop will lead Gainbridge’s brand strategy, integrated marketing, lifecycle marketing, measurement, and Martech infrastructure. He reports to Derek Towriss, President of Gainbridge. “Peter is a data-driven marketing leader who i...
Oct 21, 2026
Corporate
Community
ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (Oct. 21, 2026) — Group 1001 Insurance, an integrated, technology-driven financial services and insurance group, today announced $120,000 in funding for Habitat for Humanity of Boone County, secured by two of its companies through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis' Community Multiplier – Member Match program.Group 1001 companies Delaware Life Insurance Company and Clear Spring Life and Annuity Company each committed $15,000 through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indi...
Oct 19, 2026
Corporate
ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (Oct. 19, 2026) – Group 1001 Insurance, an integrated, technology-driven financial services and insurance group, announced George Haj as Chief Communications Officer. Haj joins the executive leadership team and reports to President and CEO Dan Towriss.As Chief Communications Officer, Haj leads the corporate communications and content functions across the company's family of brands, including executive and CEO communications, employee communications, and media relations.“Geor...
Oct 13, 2026
Corporate
New annuities let members start with $100, add money over time and choose terms from one to 10 years, without paying commissions ZIONSVILLE, Ind. - Gainbridge, one of the largest issuer of annuities without agents or commissions, today announced the launch of Gainbridge: Flex℠ (“Flex”) and Gainbridge: Retirement Flex℠ (“Retirement Flex”), two flexible premium deferred fixed annuities.Flex helps people save for goals outside of retirement, from a down payment or wedding to a major purchase or ext...
Sep 3, 2026
Community
Fourth annual Gainbridge Assists program carries forward Billie Jean King’s legacy and reaches its widest geographic footprint yet – 20 states plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico – with first-ever grants in adaptive sports, juvenile justice, boxing, rowing, and skateboardingZionsville, Ind. (Sept. 3, 2026) – Gainbridge℠, Parity, and the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF®) today named the 2026 grant recipients of Gainbridge Assists Powered by Parity, awarding $250,000 across 32 organizations ...
Aug 28, 2026
Corporate
In August, we celebrated the conclusion of our Advanced Management Program (AMP) with 10 graduates. This six-month journey was designed to equip future executives with the strategic skills they need to lead at the organizational level.What is the Advanced Management Program (AMP)?Preparing the next generation of senior leaders is central to Group 1001's long-term success. AMP reflects our commitment to providing successful leaders with the opportunity to sharpen their skills to lead at an ev...
Aug 17, 2026
Work Life
At Group 1001, employees are our number one asset. That's why we're proud to celebrate a milestone in our leadership development practices: 36 team members recently graduated from our inaugural Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) – a three-month course designed to equip high-potential talent with the skills and tools to lead the future of our organization.Building a Strong Talent Pipeline at Group 1001As we continue to grow, developing leaders from within is a strategic priority. The ELP cour...
Jul 29, 2026
Work Life
You've closed out the summer – now make the most of what comes after.By Emma See, Senior Talent Acquisition PartnerThe 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 i...
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...
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,...