STEP Post-Project Reflection

My STEP Signature Project was an internship with Continental Office Furniture in the Finance and Accounting department. The main activities of the project included sending invoices, reconciling rebates, processing subcontractor contracts, and organizing and filing project and prevailing wage paperwork. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working for Continental Office, and I made friendships with coworkers that will continue beyond my internship.

While completing my STEP Signature Project, the biggest thing that changed for me was learning the ability to push myself to my limits in productivity. I had previously worked as an Office Assistant at the front desk and was able to complete homework while working. During my internship, I was taking 16 credit hours and working 15 hours a week without having the ability to complete homework during working hours. With 15 hours of each week occupied by work, I had to create a schedule for myself to dedicate enough time to complete all of my schoolwork. I gained a great understanding of my ability to complete work in the best way possible, which is by waking up early and getting the most important work done first.

Another transformation that took place during my STEP Signature Project is my understanding of working in a corporate finance setting. Before completing my internship with Continental Office, I thought that corporate finance involved talking more with people about the financial situations of the company. After working in this setting, I learned that much of corporate finance involves financial analysis and how to properly come up with conclusions while working in Microsoft Excel. I realized that this type or work is not what I want to be doing for my future because I enjoy talking to people more than conducting financial analysis. I enjoyed my time working in the corporate finance setting at Continental Office; however, I know that I would like to do work that involves talking more with people.

An interaction that happened at the beginning of my STEP Signature Project was a discussion with Kurt Weidner, the Executive Vice President of Finance at Continental Office. This interaction occurred within my first two weeks of starting my internship, and I was able to gain an understanding of his background and the background of others working in the finance department at Continental Office. Almost every person in the finance department had an accounting background, and he told me that many people in the finance departments of companies have a strong accounting background. After the conversation with Kurt Weidner, I realized that I was more inclined to work in the financial services and wealth management industries because I enjoy talking with people more and not doing most of a day’s work utilizing spreadsheets and completing the financial analysis.

The most significant event that led to my change in productivity during my STEP Signature Project was the COVID-19 pandemic. With the regulations set in place by the government due to the spread of the virus, I was able to utilize the time spent staying at home to complete more schoolwork while working 15 hours a week. Over the summer, I took 15 credit hours and worked 40 hours a week, and during the autumn semester, when my STEP Signature Project took place, I took 16 credit hours while working 15 hours a week. Many people have said that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused so many problems and took them off the track of their goals, but I was able to take advantage of the situation and will be able to graduate in 3 years from The Ohio State University.

Throughout the course of my STEP Signature Project, I developed a great relationship with an employee at Continental Office that aided in my understanding of corporate finance. Kierra Sharp, formerly the staff accountant, but now the finance manager at Continental Office, was the person that I learned how to do everything that I was instructed to do. I greatly appreciated her patience and willingness to answer my questions when I had them. While working with Continental Office, the then Finance manager, Kierra, and I would start work at 6 am, much earlier than the start time for the rest of the office. During that time, I was able to ask Kierra so many questions about her past work experiences and how work was conducted at Continental Office. She offered insightful information about corporate finance that allowed me to gain a better understanding of the work. To this day, Kierra and I stay in touch to talk about her recent promotion to the Finance Manager at Continental Office and my full-time job search.

The impact of my ability to learn my maximum productivity is extremely valuable for my life because I now can explain to potential employers that I work well when having lots on my plate. With working 40 hours a week and taking 15 credit hours over the summer and working 15 hours a week while taking 16 credit hours over the fall semester all while having a GPA over 3.80 during that time, I have proof to show companies that I work well while having a lot going on. Also, this knowledge is valuable personally because I know that I can complete many things when I work hard and stay focused.

During my STEP Signature Project, I also learned that corporate finance was not exactly what I thought it was before the internship. I am extremely glad that I was able to figure out that I do not want to do corporate finance work during an internship instead of after starting a full-time position. With the knowledge I gained from not wanting to do corporate finance work, I will begin pursuing positions in wealth management. Wealth m

anagement seems to be a career more catered to my desires because there is a greater ability to talk to more people and see the direct impact a financial plan can have on their lives.

 

 

 

 

Student Life Dining Services: Student Manager Internship

Through my internship as a Student Manager Intern in the Ohio Union’s Instructional Kitchen, I gained first-hand experience in front of the house, back of the house, and managerial roles while developing my skills in communication, leadership, cuisine preparation, and food safety guidelines. My major responsibilities included supervising over 20 students in the Food Production Management Lab on a weekly basis, assisting in the preparation, execution, and deconstruction of weekly culinary events hosted by the Ohio Union Activities Board, and managing front and back of the house operations in on-campus dining locations. Overall, this program helped provide me with the skills and knowledge necessary in order to fulfill a successful career in the hospitality industry.

 

My internship as a Student Manager provided me with many opportunities to better understand myself and the assumptions I had about the world. Prior to the internship, my self-motivation was quite low. Amidst the daunting pandemic, I lacked the drive to pursue my goals because life seemed difficult and uncontrollable. I was reluctant as I began this internship because frankly, I could not imagine any impact or purpose I would have in the kitchen or on my coworkers.

However, I quickly realized that this opportunity actually gave me a purpose and rekindled my drive. The internship reminded me of the joy the hospitality industry can bring even in the darkest of times, as well as showed me my impact. My view of myself changed as I learned that the little things I did at the internship everyday greatly impacted my fellow interns and our guests. Likewise, my ideals about the world transformed as I understood that people can still seek and achieve happiness in the most difficult of times.

 

There were many aspects throughout my STEP Signature Project that contributed to my transformed viewpoints. For instance, my interactions with my fellow interns had a great impact in my realization of my self-worth. Every day as I walked into the Instructional Kitchen, I was warmly welcomed by my coworkers. This immediately brightened my mood. Likewise, my coworkers constantly depended on me to help them complete tasks which showed the trust they instilled in me. With this, I learned I was able to rely on them whenever I needed assistance. Before long, the relationships I established with my coworkers became friendships that I am so grateful for. Their support helped motivate me.

Another way that my interactions impacted my view on world was through the encounters I had with workers throughout the Ohio Union. With the peak of COVID-19 cases, the food industry was a scary and stressful place to work. However, every food service worker I encountered had a smile on their face and carried conversations with happiness and ease. Their positivity was contagious and enabled me to realize that although society may be in turmoil, life can still be enjoyable.

Finally, my hope for the hospitality industry in general was restored through the experiences I had as a Student Manager Intern. My uncertainty toward the impact of hospitality shifted as I interacted with the limited guests we served. Nothing compared to the excitement on their faces as we provided them with our cuisine and service. I learned that hospitality will always have the power to positively change someone’s day, even if done so at limited capacity and accompanied by stricter health guidelines.

 

This experience and the changes it caused within my mindset will greatly impact the way I live for the rest of my life. Firstly, self-worth, motivation, and drive are so important in all aspects of life. I can only succeed if I understand my purpose and try my hardest to achieve my goals. This internship taught me that I can always impact someone else. Likewise, I will always have friends and coworkers I can depend on during tough times. These lessons will be very valuable in the future of my personal life.

As for my professional pursuits, this experience will be extremely important. Not only did I develop the logistical and technical skills necessary to succeed in the hospitality industry, but I further established my passion for why I am pursuing this career path. I love nothing more than making other people happy. Through hospitality, this is always possible and tirelessly achieved. This internship has sparked my excitement for flourishing within this industry and discovering all it has to offer.

Aerospace Supply Chain Co-op

This fall, I held a supply chain co-op position at GE Aviation in Cincinnati, Ohio.  There, I worked in the Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) development group to create a testing database for an in-house defect recognition software in ultrasonic inspections.  I was also able to participate in many professional development events and other lecture series where interns were able to see the different sides of the company.

The biggest transformation I experienced was how my view of the engineering industry changed.  Before starting work at GE Aviation, I did not have a grasp for the part creation process.  However, I was able to learn about the initial design phase where the constraints and parameters are laid out.  Next, in the analysis phase, different simulations take place to ensure the part is capable of withstanding mechanical and thermal stresses experienced but to also ensure it will not encounter unacceptable amounts of fatigue over the many engine cycles it experiences.  Then, the part goes to manufacturing where the manufacturing method previously decided during the design phase occurs.

After the part has been made it goes to quality assurance (QA) which is where I spent my time.  Before working at GE, I thought the main goal of QA was to check the part’s dimensions to ensure these dimensional tolerances are being followed.  However, I was exposed to the more engineering side of QA, NDE, which is where defects that are not so noticeable are found using many methods such as ultrasound and computed tomography (CT).  The main goal of these methods is to look for internal defects within a part because these are more of a concern with new manufacturing materials/techniques being used.

The relationship I had with my manager allowed me to learn about NDE in the short time that I was at GE Aviation.  He started me off with several historical commercial airline crashes that lead to advances in NDE such as the Sioux City incident or American Airlines Fright 383.  These tragic events gave the motivation as to why NDE is so important today.  Then, my manager set me up with ultrasonic inspection operators to get a hands-on feel for the inspection process as this was the NDE inspection technique I was primarily working with.  He also gave great input along every step of my project – creating the testing database – with setting up initial requirements, evaluating my progress along the way, and allowing me to present to a panel of NDE experts and certifying agents.  The time he spent focused on my understanding helped me realize the importance of not only my work but how it relates back to the company as a whole.

The relationships I had with my coworkers allowed me to see the other facets of the NDE development group.  While my project involved ultrasonic inspections, the group’s main focus is on CT scans of the advanced materials.  They helped deepen my understanding of CT by devoting one-on-one meetings to run me through the CT inspection process and allowing me to sit-in during the design reviews of new part scan plans. This allowed me to see the bigger picture of NDE and how internal defects they find can play a role in rejecting a part.

There were several meetings that an elected intern board put on with important faculty that helped increase my understanding of the inner working of GE Aviation.  At the beginning of the rotation, several engineering sub-section managers gave talks on a series called “Jet Engine Fundamentals” where they took us through each major component of the engine at a high level and how they all interact to ultimately propel the plane.  I was also able to participate in several virtual plant tours where I saw the testing site in Peebles, OH and assembly & repair shops in Durham, NC.  Further, my OSU recruiter, Michael Meade, held weekly meetings titled “Reflections by Mirror Lake.”  As he is a design engineer, he took the OSU co-ops through the part creation process as mentioned previously and allowed OSU alumni to feature their work at GE.  Overall, the lecture series and virtual OSU meetings gave me exposure to different sides of the business.

This transformation is valuable for my life because it helped me become a more well-rounded engineer and allowed me to network with engineers in the aerospace field.  I have now gained internships in manufacturing (this past summer) and QA processes.  I am now looking for positions next summer or fall within the initial design and analysis phases.  With these, I will be broadening my experience before I deep dive into my future career role upon graduation.  From many engineers that I have spoken with not only at GE but elsewhere, I have learned that this “T-shaped” path will not only help me to become a better engineer overall but make choosing my future discipline easier as well.

 

Due to a non-disclosure agreement, I was not able to take any photos of my work this fall.

File:GE Aviation.svg - Wikimedia Commons

Refining Chemical Engineering Co-op Experience

For my STEP Signature Project, I worked as a refining chemical engineering co-op for Marathon Petroleum Corporation. While working at the nation’s second largest petroleum refinery located on the Texas Gulf Coast, I learned about various refinery processes through field experiences and communications with other engineers. Also, I completed various projects that added value to the refinery.

This experience changed the assumptions I had of what my future career would look like. The part that really surprised me was the field work portion. I found myself walking around the refinery in my PPE trying to locate specific units or features. At first, this was difficult, because I did not know what to look for and what was right or wrong. As the semester continued, however, I gained a confidence that allowed me to be more efficient when I needed information from the field. Before this co-op, I was taught to use reference books or the internet to get the information I needed for a problem, and now, I find it amazing how I can walk outside the office and find the information I needed. I learned that the best resource is the actual process, which makes the daily work more hands-on and exciting. While I never thought I was someone who would like to be out in the field, I found myself excited for any opportunity I had to gain new experiences away from my desk. I made great relationships with the operators as I spent more and more time learning from them. Overall, I gained critical experience out in the field that I will use for the rest of my career, and I am excited for my next opportunity to continue gaining this experience.

My first project was very field-oriented. It allowed me to spend time exploring the refinery and absorb as much field knowledge as possible. Refineries are complicated, and I spent hours walking around trying to understand all the piping and units. This time was essential to the rest of my term. I gained a confidence with the operating signs and the language that helped me in the rest of my projects. I started talking with the operators, who explained so many important ideas to me. Certain terms and ideas became clearer to me, and this allowed me to have more technical communications with my coworkers.

In the first month of my term, there was a specific experience that changed my outlook on field work. One of my coworkers asked if I would want to see the inside of a unit while it was shut down for maintenance. Trying to get as much experience as possible in my short time at the refinery, I said yes. I learned what to look for during inspections of unit internals by actually completing them. What really amazed me was learning about the processes that occur in the vessels I entered. This experience left me excited for any opportunity I had to get back in the field.

One of my favorite times of the week was the socially distanced team lunch each Friday. My team members were full-time employees in the same position that I was experiencing in my co-op. Everyone told fun stories of field experiences they had. The stories I heard taught me so much about what my career would look like in the future, especially the field opportunities I would gain in my time at the company. I found myself leaving these lunches with excitement for my next field opportunity and with great relationships with my coworkers.

While only one part of the job, an understanding of field work will take me far in my career. It is critical to recognize the most basic ideas and terms that are used in the field. My learning in the field is very different from my learning in the classroom. In the field, I actually see all the complicated features that I learn about separately in the classroom come together to function as a refinery. This adds greatly to my chemical engineering knowledge of processes by giving me real examples that are more complicated than any classroom example.

In the future, I hope to obtain my MBA and use my engineering knowledge to add great value to the business. My basic understanding of field work will give me a very holistic view of a company. Overall, field work is critical to understand. Without it, the refinery would not function. I can create all the theoretical possibilities behind a desk, but what truly matters is what happens out in the field when it is implemented.

**Due to a confidentiality agreement, I cannot legally share any photos of my experience at the refinery.

Marathon Oil

Catalent Process Engineering Co-op

My position at Catalent’s Biologics site in Bloomington, IN entailed working as a process engineering co-op for their drug substance manufacturing. Biologics drug substance manufacturing involves cultivating cells that express a protein of interest (the active pharmaceutical ingredient), and then purifying the protein of interest. I did troubleshooting on equipment, and I worked with other engineers to introduce new equipment.

My co-op changed my outlook on my career trajectory. Around the end of my co-op session my supervisor announced he was switching jobs to fill a management role in another company — and at the age of 28. I was greatly under the impression of a stepped, slow career build being my only option, but my discussions with him showed me that there are many opportunities for growth that are available with a leap of faith. Before working in drug production, he worked in industrial cheese production — which had surprising parallels to the work process engineers did at Catalent. The opportunity for sustained professional growth and the importance of acquiring transferable skills for career development were both eye opening to me.

My co-op also allowed my to reassess what I value and emphasize in my time at college and early career. In many cases, the theoretical understanding of equipment is superseded by a practical understanding of common issues and empirical testing. There were many cases where I tried to apply more complex solutions to simple problems. What I gained the most from my co-op was experience, especially with coordinating people in other departments. Simplifying technical wording into concise, understandable deliverables was perhaps the most important in accomplishing this task, and is something I plan to emphasize going forward.

A discussion with a pH probe vendor made me realize that I was capable of growth. Following sustained issues with a certain pH probe model and much back and forth discussion with the vendor, I decided to schedule a meeting and call them. Initially I was nervous because I was a co-op and lacked quite a bit of knowledge on the understanding of the electronics. In our discussion I was able to learn how the probes worked and was still able to have an informed discussion — including negotiating the replacement of a lot of probes. Understanding diagnostics for common tools through experience helped me to have better, more informed discussions later with engineers I worked with.

Trying to decrypt files from a system data backup helped me to realize the importance of seeking a simple solution. Another engineer pulled a file from a production system that appeared to be encrypted. I looked through the file trying to find a method to decrypt it, and I eventually called the vendor, who was similarly confused. I went back to the machine that generated the file, and tried repeatedly to get the program that generated the file to open the file. Eventually I opened the location where the file was generated and found a “Open Archive” option that decrypted the file and allowed me to change the format. Had I simply gone back to this panel initially, I would have saved time and anguish.

Placement onto a CapEx (capital expenditure project) helped me to realize that technical knowledge needs to be combined with strong communication for success. I was placed onto a $500k capital expenditure project to expand a production system as the budget coordinator. I did extensive research regarding the system that was being expanded and what was required, but there were some gaps. I contacted and set up a call with one of the suppliers for the system and came to find out that there were certain licenses that were already purchased. A combination of technical understanding and conferring with others who are knowledgeable on the situation helped me create a complete and accurate budget.

This opportunity has been very valuable for my professional development. I started out never having worked a non-retail position, much less having worked in a manufacturing environment in a position related to my studies. This opportunity reaffirmed my commitment to a degree in chemical engineering. I have a friend who went on a co-op with Dupont for a semester and realized this was not the major she wanted to continue to pursue, so I appreciate the affirmation prior to my Junior-level courses. It also helped me to understand what I needed to do in college to succeed in my transition to the workplace — largely acquiring experience by attempting new tasks. This opportunity also made me aware of the importance of avoiding stagnation in my career — this is often the time to seek opportunities to move upwards.

Pictured below are a bioreactor, chromatography skid, and me in ISO 8 gowning respectively.

Games That Move You Internship Reflection

My STEP Signature Project was an internship with local Columbus startup Games That Move You (GTMY). GTMY is a company that integrates technology with physical therapy and fitness to reduce cost, improve quality, and create more opportunities for those with injuries ranging from neurological impairments and balance to lower and upper extremities. Especially with the rise of COVID-19 the service GTMY offers is necessary as it is impossible or very risky for many physical therapy patients to go to a clinic when they can stay at home, video chat with their therapists, and do interactive therapy that includes various games to make the process more fun and encouraging.  My internship within GTMY covered all areas of business, focusing on doing finance and accounting related activities such as taxes, financial statements, and reports, but also other areas such as marketing and aiding in the creation of the website, the pitch decks, and various other administrative tasks. I worked alongside two Ohio State MBA Students who were also full-time professionals, on top of the co-owners.

I always assumed that healthcare was not a gray area for the united states and it truly was easy for people to get the help and aid they were looking for and/or unknowingly needed. This was not the case once I started talking to healthcare professionals and working for an insurance-facing company. There are a plethora of grey areas and limitations for both Medicare/Medicaid insured individuals and private insurance individuals. I learned that because of COVID-19 the rules have started to change and become a little more flexible to at-home healthcare but that there are rules constantly changing and this inhibits provider’s abilities to treat even the most minor problems. This is especially true where many impairments that keep people from working, moving unrestrained or even experiencing their dreams just because they can not figure out to get the continuous temporary help, they need due to either the financial constraint or the inability of their insurance to allow them to pursue help.

My perspective has changed, if not eye-opening, in that there are many small technologies based companies either starting out or that have been around that could solve a lot of basic impairments and health issues if they were encouraged by insurance companies and policies to have the individuals using their policies to do so. I have seen patients use GTMY’s product and services to get back to walking at full capacity, to improving their memory, and going from not being able to raise their arm over their head to now being quite flexible, all because of the continuous engagement and reduced cost that this service brings. I have also seen how other countries approach healthcare insurance and policies, talking to individuals from differing countries. I have observed that there are many countries that encourage healthcare and have reform that is a lot more flexible than the United States, thus resulting in a healthier population.

I have also talked to various physical therapists, doctors, researchers in the medical space, and engineers who described the various problems with products, getting them widely distributed, and troubles reaching the mass market due to insurance constraints. Talking to these professionals as a student who is not even in the medical space nor ever planned to, it was eye-opening to see on top of all that is going on this year due to the circumstances, there are still reforms that are being pushed to create better quality and equality of care here. Hearing this and many personal stories as I went to meetings or talked to investors who loved the company because it was relatable to them and their family or someone, they know was fascinating yet sad.

These interactions made me grow passionately quickly and helped me see why everyone who was in this space was so devoted and not worried about the money they money or received necessarily but more so the impact and how one device and 3 hours a week of at-home therapy for a short period of time could greatly impact the quality of the rest of someone’s life Is bewildering. I worked alongside someone who’s parent had a stroke and could not walk at all until they went through 3 months of rigorous therapy, and every so often I got to hear a story about how that parent’s mindset changed from being able to walk to not being able to work to be able to walk again after giving up many times. It sounded heartbreaking every time and like the person who was telling me felt helpless because the only thing that they knew could help at the time was the clinic they were told to go to by their healthcare provider. Hearing those gaps and the struggles they watched a family member go through made me repeatedly thing that what I was helping to build and grow was going to aid many in the struggles they face after an injury, impairment or even minor accident that could either shut down the rest of their life or just be a minor roadblock in their journey.

This change is significant and valuable because all I have wanted to do since I decided back in high school I was going to go to college and make something of my life is to help others. It simply does not matter how or when I have always wanted to use my skills, interests, hobbies, and what I am good at to help improve others’ quality and/or quantity of life. Working for this company helped me realize that I can take my business skills and work in any industry, not just the regular finance, banking, or other typical fields that many I know pursue, but there are endless ways and opportunities to use what I am learning and knowledge to create, develop, and grow something or some service that could change the world forever. Even the smallest companies, like many big companies we know now, grew from a small local start-up much like the one I worked for, with a handful of professors, students, and local professionals, that became big and now impact millions, if not billions, across the globe from cars to a vaccine against this pandemic. I know now that wherever I go from this point forward in life, I know how to achieve my dream and make any company I work for, start, or am apart of, a company that changes lives and wants to do so. My goal is to do something that causes reforms or aids in this to improve the people and planet while leading to a profit. I can gladly say I truly did this for the first time in my life over the span of this experience and internship.

Capital University Internship Reflection

During my internship with Capital University, I worked closely with Nick Felhaber, one of the strength and conditioning coaches, to create effective training programs to increase the strength and hypertrophy of Capital University’s male basketball athletes. During lifting sessions, I coached the athletes on proper lifting techniques and oversaw their training. While working with the basketball team, I also had the responsibility of creating a safe environment where athletes were socially distanced, kept their masks on, and cleaned the weight room after using it.

Before my internship, I had the assumption all college-level athletes had perfect lifting form and lifted massive weights.  I realized that was not true, especially at the division three level. I worked with athletes who had never been in a weight room before. I saw athletes who knew how to lift but were lifting less weight than me. I was surprised because I don’t lift as often as they do. I enjoyed this new perspective because it allowed me to teach some of the athletes how to lift correctly. I learned a great deal about what athletes respond well to and how to coach them. I also appreciate the fact that not everybody comes from a similar background regarding high school sports. During my high school athletic career, I was in the weight room often and thought that was the norm, but it’s not. I appreciate athletes much more now because not everyone has the same opportunities to succeed.  Some athletes rise above their situations to go on to play in college and even in the professional leagues.

Coaching in the weight room was the main activity during my internship that led to my transformation. I was able to interact with the athletes and see that some of them did not know how to lift or could not lift much weight. I taught them proper lifting techniques, so they understood how to lift correctly and how to become stronger. These interactions allowed me to understand the athletes better and appreciate their backgrounds and progress throughout the semester.

Specifically, most of the freshmen trying out for the team did not know how to lift. Teaching the freshman proper lifting techniques was extremely gratifying. Many of them would ask me questions and have me look at their form. I felt like I was an actual coach and not just an intern. Seeing their progress throughout the semester made me appreciate their hard work even more because they did not know how to lift coming into the semester.

Most of the upperclassmen on the team knew how to lift, but I was surprised a few of them did not lift much weight. I changed their form slightly, and they saw dramatic improvements throughout the semester. The interactions with the upperclassmen gave me the perspective that not all college athletes are big and strong or have great lifting techniques. I was amazed that some players could excel in their sport but not excel in the weight room. It was also great to see how once they improved in the weight room, it translated onto the court as well.

My experience with Capital University was extraordinarily humbling. In my personal life, I gained an appreciation for athletes and their backgrounds and accomplishments. I realized that not everyone comes from similar backgrounds, and I can use that in my personal life to seek out diversity. In my professional life, I gained great experience interacting with athletes and teaching them how to lift. I will take what I learned and use it in my endeavors within the health and fitness field.