Inside The Caruso Internship Program

Overview

One hundred and one The Grove Drive, Los Angeles. If you've been there, you know it's not just a retail space—it's a meticulously crafted environment. The man behind it, Rick Caruso, built a real estate empire on that exact philosophy. Analyst, we are looking at how a dynamic, multifaceted development company actually

In this show

• One hundred and one The Grove Drive, Los Angeles. If you've been there, you know it's not just a retail space—it's a meticulously crafted environment. The man behind it, Rick Caruso, built a real estate empire on that exact philosophy. Analyst, we are looking at how a dynamic, multifaceted development company actually spots its next generation of talent.
• Right. And it starts with their summer internship program. This isn't about fetching coffee. It is a full-time, nine to ten-week gauntlet beginning in June. They are looking for college students who crave actual, real-world experience. Caruso pitches it as a selective and challenging program, which tells you immediately they want people who can handle high expectations.
• Nine to ten weeks is a massive commitment for a summer. Wait, so what are these interns actually doing? Are they pigeonholed into leasing or finance?
• Not at all. The program is specifically structured to provide hands-on exposure across multiple departments. You aren't just shadowing; you're handed meaningful projects. A core part of Caruso's philosophy is that you have to understand the whole ecosystem—from acquisition to brand partnerships—to build something as cohesive as The Grove.
• That makes sense. If you're building multifaceted developments, your team needs a multifaceted perspective. But does a twenty-year-old intern actually get face time with the people making the big calls?
• They do. That's the most unique hook of the Caruso program. Interns get direct interaction with the executive team. And yes, Host, that includes the CEO and Founder himself. He's actively involved in seeing how these students think and operate.
• That's wild. Most CEOs of major property management firms aren't sitting down with summer interns. What kind of qualities do you think he's looking for during those interactions?
• Based on the structure, he wants adaptability and drive. Because they rotate through multiple departments and tackle real-world projects, an intern has to be fearless. They have to ask sharp questions and defend their ideas to top leaders. It's a crucible for finding future executives.
• So it's essentially a nine-week audition. I imagine the competition to get a slot is intense. Do we know when they actually start recruiting for this?
• Very intense. It's highly selective. If a student is aiming for the 2027 Summer Internship Program, they need to mark their calendars early. Applications officially open on September first, 2026. You have to be ready almost a full year in advance.
• A year out. That proves how coveted this is. So, to recap: it's a nine to ten-week full-time summer sprint across multiple departments. You get hands-on projects, real-world real estate exposure, and direct access to the CEO. Analyst, thanks for breaking down the Caruso playbook.