From Intern to Leader: Jeff Zihlman Reflects on Building a Career at Stanley

For many students and recent graduates, an internship is more than a summer job. It is an opportunity to gain real-world experience, build professional relationships and explore potential career paths.

Jeff Zihlman, Technical Operations Leader at Stanley Consultants, knows that firsthand. What started as a summer internship turned into a career spanning decades, marked by professional growth and leadership opportunities.

We recently sat down with Jeff to reflect on the experiences that shaped his career and the lessons he learned along the way. Here's what he had to say.

Q: What attracted you to Stanley, and what stood out most about your internship experience?

A: I was attending South Dakota State University and was looking for a summer job closer to my hometown of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. After hearing about Stanley through a family connection, I reached out about internship opportunities and interviewed during spring break. At the time, I assumed Stanley was a small local engineering firm.

When I arrived for my interview, I remember driving around the block trying to figure out where the Stanley office was. Eventually, I realized the entire block I had been driving around was Stanley. It wasn't the small local engineering firm I had pictured in my head.

During my internship, I worked on a highway construction project and spent much of my time in the field. It gave me an opportunity to work alongside contractors and observe how projects are executed, which provided a perspective I couldn't get in the classroom.

Q: After your internship, what made you decide to build your career at Stanley?

A: The people were a big part of it. Early in my career, I worked closely with senior engineers who invested time in helping me grow professionally and develop my skills. I enjoyed the variety of work and felt there were always new ways to learn.

I also had opportunities to temporarily work from several offices, including West Palm Beach, Salt Lake City and Baton Rouge. Those experiences helped me build relationships across the company, learn from different teams and expand my professional network.

Looking back, many of those connections helped open doors to future opportunities and played an important role in my career development.

Q: You have grown from an intern to a leadership role during your time here. Was there a project, experience or opportunity early in your career that helped shape the path you're on today?

A: A couple years after joining Stanley, I was working in Muscatine when a manager stopped by my office and asked if I had a passport. When I told him I did, he explained the company needed someone to support an airfield project in the United Arab Emirates and asked if I could be ready to leave the next day.

It was definitely unexpected. One day I was sitting at my desk in Iowa, and the next I was traveling halfway around the world to support a major project.

That project sparked my involvement in federal airfield work and opened the door to experiences that influenced the rest of my career. It showed me the importance of being open to new experiences, even when they push you outside your comfort zone.

Q: How have leaders and mentors at Stanley influenced your career journey?

A: Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to learn from mentors who helped me develop not only my technical skills, but also the project management, planning and leadership capabilities that are important for success.

Their guidance gave me the confidence to take on new challenges and helped prepare me for opportunities I might not have otherwise considered.

Q: Looking back on your career so far, what opportunities at Stanley have had the biggest impact on your growth?

A: The experiences that had the biggest impact on my growth were the ones that challenged me to keep learning. Throughout my career, I had opportunities to work with talented mentors, contribute to a variety of projects and take on responsibilities that helped me develop professionally.

One lesson I've learned is that most people are ready for bigger opportunities sooner than they think. If you wait until you feel completely ready, there's a good chance you were ready years earlier. Growth often comes from stretching yourself and being willing to try something new.

Q: What would you tell students or recent graduates who are evaluating employers?

A: Look for a company that feels like a good fit for you, both professionally and culturally. The type of work is important, but so are the people you'll be working with and learning from.

I encourage students not to feel like they need to have their entire career mapped out on day one. My own career wasn't built around a detailed long-term plan. Instead, I focused on continuing to learn, developing my skills, building strong relationships and staying curious. Some of the best opportunities come when you're willing to step outside your comfort zone.

Jeff's journey from intern to leader demonstrates how continuous learning, strong mentorship and a willingness to embrace new challenges can shape a rewarding career.