Each summer, a new wave of aspiring financiers walk through the towering doors of Blackstone one of the largest private equity firms in the world with ambition in their eyes and notebooks in hand. These interns aren’t just summer workers they’re carefully selected from top-tier schools, chosen to take part in one of Wall Street’s most competitive internship programs.
But beyond spreadsheets, pitch decks, and financial models, they’re given something arguably more valuable: personal career advice from Blackstone’s billionaire co-founder and CEO, Steve Schwarzman.
And his message is surprisingly human and incredibly relevant.
The Intern Class of 2025: Entering a New Era
This year, Blackstone welcomed over 250 summer analysts and associates across departments including private equity, credit, real estate, and technology. As the finance world evolves along with AI, ESG, and a post-pandemic economy these interns are stepping into a complex and high-stakes environment.
But no matter how advanced the tools or turbulent the markets, Schwarzman’s annual remarks to the incoming class focus on one timeless truth: the human factor matters more than anything.
Steve Schwarzman’s Golden Rule: “Be the Person Everyone Wants to Work With”
At a company known for rigorous standards, high performance, and intense work hours, you might expect the advice to be about technical mastery. But Schwarzman flips the narrative.
His advice?
“Be the person everyone wants to work with.”
This simple piece of wisdom carries immense weight in high-pressure environments like Blackstone, where collaboration and trust are just as critical as talent and intelligence.
Whether you’re an analyst crunching data or a partner closing deals, your ability to work with others respectfully, responsively, and consistently can make or break your career.
Why This Advice Matters More Than Ever
In today’s fast-paced and tech-driven corporate world, the focus can often drift toward metrics, automation, and hyper-efficiency. But as Schwarzman points out, success in finance (and beyond) is rooted in human relationships.
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Teams outperform individuals.
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Trust builds long-term value.
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Empathy creates stronger leaders.
Young professionals who cultivate these qualities early gain more than just positive reviews they become the kind of people others want to promote, recommend, and follow.
Blackstone's High-Stakes Culture and Opportunity
Interning at Blackstone isn’t like any other summer job. Interns are expected to hit the ground running, contribute meaningfully, and absorb the culture quickly. Many of these positions serve as pipelines into full-time roles a ticket to a high-paying and high-prestige career.
But with that opportunity comes pressure. Interns face demanding expectations, long hours, and the challenge of competing among the best of the best. In that context, Schwarzman’s advice becomes a career-saving anchor: stay humble, stay teachable, and never forget you’re working with people, not just numbers.
Mentorship and Legacy
Steve Schwarzman’s mentorship doesn’t end with summer interns. Throughout his decades-long career, he’s mentored countless executives and rising leaders not just through formal training, but through leading by example.
His story from growing up in suburban Pennsylvania to building Blackstone into a global investment powerhouse is a masterclass in ambition and perseverance. But even more, it’s a reminder that how you treat others shapes how far you go.
For interns hoping to one day lead companies, run funds, or start their own ventures, this message is priceless: Character compounds faster than capital.
Every summer intern at Blackstone comes in seeking success. But the most lasting lessons aren’t always found in the data they’re found in the culture, the mentorship, and the wisdom of those who’ve built something lasting.
Steve Schwarzman’s timeless advice “be the person everyone wants to work with” isn’t just career advice. It’s a blueprint for personal and professional growth, no matter what industry you’re in.
Whether you’re interning at a global firm or starting your career in a local office, one thing is clear: relationships are your most valuable investment.
