From Potential to Action: Illia’s Life-Changing Internship at Abbott Family Agency
Situation Questions — Understanding the Starting Point
When Illia first walked through the doors of Abbott Family Agency, he wasn’t just starting another job—he was stepping into something completely different.
Placed with the agency through Harborside Christian Church in Safety Harbor, FL, Illia joined as part of a last-minute internship opportunity that felt nothing short of divine timing.
Like many students, Illia thought internships meant repetitive tasks and minimal personal growth. But this role promised something unique: a blend of business exposure, personal development, and mentorship.
From day one, Illia was completing Monday self-reflections—tracking his sleep, time management, and personal habits. “I’ve seen massive growth, especially with sleep and time management,” he said. “I didn’t realize how connected they were until now.”
Problem Awareness — What Needed to Change
Before the internship, Illia admitted he was a “go with the flow” kind of person. While that attitude kept life easy, it also meant he wasn’t actively chasing opportunities.
Professionally, he hadn’t yet experienced the real-world pressures of deadlines, accountability, and high expectations. He knew he wanted to start his own business someday, but he lacked the environment to truly test and develop those skills.
Solution Awareness — How the Internship Addressed the Gap
Matthew Abbott designed the internship to be more than just a set of tasks—it was an immersive coaching experience.
Illia’s responsibilities included:
Building a custom AI chatbot to streamline customer and employee interactions.
Managing business contacts in Excel, applying his technical expertise to make processes faster.
Listening in on live sales calls, learning not just what to say, but how to say it.
Even tough conversations became growth moments. As Matthew Abbott says:
“Clear and concise is kind. If we don’t set expectations, we set people up for disappointment.”
Consequence Questions — What If Nothing Changed?
If Illia had approached this internship like a typical job—clocking in, doing the bare minimum, and clocking out—he would have missed the deeper transformation.
Without learning to take initiative, he might still be waiting for opportunities instead of creating them. Without facing challenging feedback, he might still believe that effort alone, without discipline, is enough.
Qualifying Questions — Discovering What’s Possible
As Illia began applying the lessons, his self-reflection scores jumped from mid-range fives and sixes to consistent eights and nines.
He found himself:
Speaking with greater confidence.
Managing time intentionally.
Seeking out challenges instead of avoiding them.
These weren’t just internship skills—they were life skills that would carry into school, future jobs, and even personal relationships.
Commitment Questions — The Call to Action
When asked what he would tell someone considering an internship at Abbott Family Agency, Illia’s response was simple:
“Do it. But be ready for accountability. Be ready to grow. This isn’t just another internship—it’s a wake-up call.”
Matthew Abbott agrees.
“Potential is the dirty P-word. It means nothing without action. Discipline turns potential into success.”
Final Thought
Illia’s journey shows that the right mentorship can transform not just a résumé, but a mindset.
If you—or someone you know—are ready to trade comfort for growth, this internship could be the step that changes everything.
