My STEP Project was centered around my internship this summer with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company in the Financial Services industry. I was in the Columbus office for 4 weeks and online at home for 8 weeks during the internship. During this internship, my responsibilities included networking with professionals at the company, learning the different business units (Life, Annuities, Retirement, Customer Solutions), and participating in professional development through our intern programming. I used funds from STEP to help pay for groceries, gas, clothes, and other miscellaneous expenses during the 12-week internship. 

     My 12-week internship with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company was a transformative experience that profoundly altered my worldview and self-perception. Prior to this opportunity, I viewed the corporate world through a somewhat narrow lens, believing it to be driven solely by profit motives. However, my time at Nationwide exposed me to a corporate culture deeply rooted in social responsibility and ethical decision-making. Witnessing the company’s commitment to community engagement, environment sustainability, and employee well-being broadened my perspective on the role businesses can play in creating positive social change. This newfound understanding has not only shifted my career aspirations but has also inspired me to actively seek out opportunities where I can align my personal values with my professional pursuits. 

     Additionally, the internship allowed me to discover previously untapped facets of my own abilities and potential. I had the chance to collaborate with a diverse and talented team engaging in projects that pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged my problem-solving skills. The support and mentorship I received from my manager at Nationwide empowered me to recognize my strengths and develop a newfound sense of confidence in my abilities. This experience has not only enriched my self-esteem but has also motivated me to continually seek out opportunities for growth and self-improvement as I embark on my future career path. Overall, my internship at Nationwide has been a pivotal chapter in my personal and professional journey. 

     During my summer internship with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company in the Financial Services Department, I had the incredible opportunity to immerse myself in a dynamic and innovative work environment. One of the highlights of my internship was the project I worked on, which focused on enhancing leadership competencies in a virtual work environment. In a rapidly changing world, this project was particularly relevant, and I was tasked with researching and implementing strategies to improve the leadership skills and effectiveness of teams working remotely. I interviewed over 60 leaders at the company, worked with HR to collect data and send out surveys, and conducted outside market research. I also had weekly touchpoints with my manager and her team. This experience allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges and solutions associated with virtual leadership, which will undoubtedly be invaluable in today’s evolving workspace landscape. 

     Another aspect of my internship that enriched my professional growth was the networking opportunities I had with leaders and executives nationwide. I had the privilege of engaging in insightful conversations, attending leadership seminars, and participating in mentorship programs. We also had the opportunity to meet with the COO and his executive team. These interactions allowed me to gain valuable insights into the insurance industry and the intricacies of leading a large-scale organization. I found that the willingness of Nationwide’s leaders to invest in the development of young talent was truly inspiring, and it motivated me to strive for excellence in my career so that I can give back as they have. 

     Furthermore, I was an integral part of a dedicated team focused on analyzing the performance metrics and analytics of the customer service center. This experience helped me sharpen my data analysis and problem-solving skills, as we worked together to identify trends, optimize processes, and enhance the overall customer service experience. Being part of a collaborative team allowed me to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios and witness the tangible impact of our efforts. Overall, my summer internship at Nationwide showed me the good that big corporations can do and showed me that I am capable of so much. It truly helped me break out of my comfort zone and show my passion for the financial service industry. I learned so much about business and myself and cannot wait to carry that into the future. 

     The change and experience that I got from my internship this Summer are incredibly valuable for my life both personally and professionally. On a personal level, this internship provided a platform for personal growth and development. Networking with leaders and executives not only exposed me to different leadership styles but also helped me build strong professional relationships. These connections will be invaluable as I progress in my career, as they have the potential to provide mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for personal development. I also really broke out of my comfort zone and became more comfortable taking on leadership roles and speaking with others. 

     Professionally, the internship was directly aligned with my career aspirations in the financial services industry. Working on a project that focused on improving the customer service center’s analytics and performance metrics allowed me to gain practical experience in a critical area of this field. I also learned so much through my project on leadership in the virtual environment. The skills I acquired, such as data analytics, problem-solving, and teamwork, are directly transferable to future roles within the industry. Additionally, the insights gained into the insurance sector through the internship will serve as a strong foundation for my professional endeavors in financial services. This internship was a valuable stepping stone toward my academic, personal, and professional goals. It provided me with practical experience, networking opportunities, and industry insights necessary to excel in my chosen field and work towards achieving my long-term goals.

My STEP project combined my two lifelong passions – working with children and behavioral health. Through my internship at the Cleveland Clinic ADHD Summer Treatment Program, I was responsible for labeling the behaviors of children with ADHD to teach them how to regulate their behavior and manage their symptoms. I created individually designed treatment plans each week that targeted behavioral, emotional, and learning difficulties as well as constructed a structured environment which was conducive to learning specifically for children with ADHD, allowing them to expand upon their skills. Throughout the program, I was responsible for managing medications and administering them on schedule. In becoming a Lead Counselor of the adolescent program, I wanted to have a greater impact on the care of the children in the ADHD summer treatment program. My responsibilities included, but were not limited to, managing a group of counselors, providing mentorship, and approving treatment plans that counselors create. In addition to the program, I’m involved in parent meetings in which we provide psychoeducation about ADHD and tools to continue the efforts of the program at home.

The ADHD Summer Treatment Program taught me that leading with intentionality is invaluable when interacting with patients. Through my patient care experiences, I’ve observed the effect of being intentional with language and behavior on the treatment of my patients. Since utilizing behavioral intervention strategies in my work, I’ve learned that I can use my actions as a tool to shape the behavior of those around me. Through using descriptive statements and appropriate modeling to bring awareness to my patient’s behavior, I’ve been able to create an environment that allows the possibility for change. Instead of operating from a place of a patient’s history, selecting language that gives the opportunity for the patient to make a decision to take an alternative action for themselves creates the space for genuine personal growth. This has been especially prevalent at the ADHD summer treatment program as the treatment is delivered through this method of intentional language. Through this experience, I was able to notice the impact my own language, expectations, and nonverbal cues have on the environment in which the patient receives treatment and how it can even impact the treatment itself.

As a Lead Counselor at the Cleveland Clinic ADHD Summer Treatment Program, I lead through example – utilizing my behavior to model what is expected from my group and to encourage authenticity when delivering the treatment program. I noticed that although my team was working together effectively, I felt as if their leadership qualities weren’t fully being utilized. Dr. Michael Manos, our clinical director, gave me the coaching that sometimes it’s necessary to force people into uncomfortable situations to help them grow. This can be accomplished by taking a step back and intentionally allowing breakdowns to occur to provide them with the opportunity to gain experience. Dr. Manos explained that even though I may be able to prevent issues from occurring in the moment, allowing my team to step into a leadership position will have a long lasting impact on the treatment program and their overall professional development. Initially, I was completely stunned that I was being told to allow chaos to occur but this advice helped me come to the realization that being a leader isn’t only about the success of your patients but there’s an additional responsibility to bear in mind a larger goal as well – the empowerment of your team.

I can say without hesitation that the ADHD Summer Treatment Program was the most valuable experience for my personal and professional development. The supportive environment that was created through the Cleveland Clinic allowed me to grow in my confidence and experience in the medical field. I appreciated how the leadership emphasized my personal values and encouraged me to lean into those when pursuing a career in healthcare. They took the time to understand my values and goals in order to best support me and provide appropriate mentorship. I’m endlessly grateful to STEP for providing me with the funds to pursue this opportunity as well as to the Cleveland Clinic for allowing me to find myself as a healthcare provider.

I spent my 12 weeks in the summer at the Baldwin Ranger District of the Huron-Manistee National Forest in Michigan as a Rare Species Wildlife Survey Intern. I was able to build my skills in wildlife monitoring and management and learn what it’s like to work for the U.S. Forest Service. Much of my internship involved working closely with the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly and other sensitive wildlife species.

Through my internship, I learned first-hand about the struggles that wildlife managers face when trying to protect imperiled species. While I have always been concerned about the plight of endangered species, I never understood the full breadth of challenges that inhibit conservationists from making progress. My new understanding of the direct impacts of climate change on wildlife has transformed the way I view my my future career in wildlife management. I also have a reinforced appreciation for the necessity of climate change mitigation and adaptation today.

One of my primary responsibilities during this internship was to conduct inventories for the Karner blue butterfly. The Manistee National Forest has been managing oak savanna patches to provide habitat for the Karner blue butterfly for many years. This summer, however, what are usually beautiful grassland ecosystems filled with wildflowers were dry, sandy patches without enough water for forbs to flower. Western Michigan experienced extreme drought during the months of May and June that drastically increased fire risk and put severe stress on all the plants throughout the Forest. Day after day, I watched Karners, newly emerged from their chrysalises, fly around with hardly any nectar sources to feed on. I saw how the increasingly common extreme weather events due to climate can have devastating impacts on endangered wildlife.

I also participated in a number of habitat improvement projects, including cutting trees and brush to simulate natural disturbances in savanna habitat and planting wildflower plugs to enhance habitat quality on the edges of occupied Karner habitat so dispersing individuals will have access to nectar sources. Because of the drought, the substantial investment into around a thousand plant plugs was at risk. To prevent the plants from dying, the other intern and I had to water each plant by hand with watering cans. I learned that managing habitat for wildlife in the face of climate change takes hard work and man power that many land management agencies may not have access to with tight budgets. Adapting to climate change requires making sacrifices and coming up with creative solutions.

In addition to witnessing the affects of climate change in the field myself, I was also able to speak with many professionals about their experiences managing wildlife. Not only did I build strong connections to people in my field, but I also saw how decisions are made between different stakeholders like the Forest Service, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and non-profit profit organizations. My supervisor had over a decade of experience at this forest and was able to explain how things have changed and how they have had to adapt management strategies over the years. I also learned about the importance of contracting, grant writing, and competing interests within federal agencies.

Prior to this internship, my professional goal was to work in wildlife management for a federal land management agency. This experience has reinforced that I would like work in this field and has given me valuable professional experience and networking relationships that will help me attain better jobs. The new perspective I have gained through my work during this internship has helped prepare me to face the challenges in my future career and make a positive impact on the environment. I am further motivated to excel academically in my final year of my undergraduate so my education can enable me to be a competent wildlife professional.

1. Over the summer I interned as a Student Trainee with the U.S Forest Service and assisted in several activities that took place over the course of three and a half months. The main responsibilities included caring for ash trees that were pot bound which meant tasks such as watering, fertilizing, implementing integrated pest management practices, organizing based on genotype, and up-potting as necessary. The second major component was setting up weekly experiments which consisted of measuring trees, placing emerald ash borer eggs on designated trees, scoring eggs after they had hatched, and eventually dissecting tree sections to determine larvae development and host kills. There were several other miscellaneous tasks throughout the summer that included maintenance of the lab station, mowing, and scoring trees for emerald ash borer damage in various plantings across Ohio.
2. I think that my internship experience this summer expanded my understanding of what a career in the environmental and conservation field looks like. There is only so much experience I can gain as a student in the classes and labs that I take while enrolled in my program. To be able to have actual hands-on opportunities in a professional environment transformed my understanding of how operations take place, the importance of accurate data collection and entry, and the impact research has on long-term goals and outcomes. The project that I worked on this summer had several moving components with associated partners across the United States. It was really interesting to see this wide-spread dedication to research on ash trees and the impact of emerald ash borer in different regions. Being involved in an operation with such reach contributed to transforming my perspective on how intertwined and connected different research projects can be and the multiple career opportunities associated.  Over the course of this summer, I also learned a lot about myself that transformed my overall perspective as well. I realized that I was able to work on projects both individually and as a team, which was an experience that I hadn’t had within a classroom setting. I was trusted by my team to complete certain tasks, which helped build my confidence and allowed me to see that I am capable of completing things I didn’t think I could do. This helped to develop my communication skills and encouraged me to ask questions when I needed help, which I have struggled with in the past. My internship also helped me step out of my comfort zone and try new things I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do otherwise. I also learned how to deal with frustrations within the workplace environment and I think this helped me grow as a person and will be a useful experience in any future career opportunity.
3. One of my biggest goals going into this internship this summer was to gain experience in a professional environment and see first-hand what a career in the field of environmental science and natural resources looked like. I was interested in this position because it was a hands-on opportunity and it was field work that took place outside as opposed to behind a desk. Being outside and the field component aspects were some of the main reasons why I was interested in pursuing a degree in SENR, but I didn’t necessarily know the amount of labor and mental toughness it would take to consistently be in a position that required that. Over the summer I was outside almost every day for about eight hours a day. With it being the summer, there were days when it was extremely hot and sunny and other days where it was raining and windy. There were even days when the weather was nice but the day was full of laborious tasks that were physically straining. Although I loved the job I was doing, there were some days when it was difficult to be outside. I think this entire summer helped transform my view of jobs that mainly operate outside and the hard work and determination needed to complete them. I realized that it isn’t always going to be easy and it’s not always how it’s made out to be by different professors or job descriptions. I think this helped me to focus on what I want out of a future career and better understand the amount of physical labor that occurs on a daily basis.Another transformation that I experienced this summer was understanding how extensive research projects are and the substantial amount of time, work, and data collection that goes into maintaining them over the years. Before this summer, the only exposure I had to research projects was just hearing about the different ones my friends or professors were working on. Until participating in this project, I don’t think I fully comprehended all the moving parts and the importance of the data this team was collecting. This pushed me to pay close attention to details, increase accuracy in different procedures, and ask questions when I didn’t know how to complete a task. There was one instance when I didn’t understand the measuring procedures for a tree’s diameter, but I thought that I could figure it out on my own and puzzle my way through. Although I was able to finally understand the methods used, it took me twice as long and one of the technicians said there was a short cut method she used to help get accurate measurements faster. This was important because I also learned that time is such a valuable resource, especially in research. If I had just asked for help sooner, I would have learned these tips earlier on and been more efficient. This was a key event that I learned from and realized that mistakes happen, but it’s also important to ask for help from others. 

   I think another major interaction I had during my STEP project was just the daily interactions with my co-workers and the other interns. I had the opportunity to improve upon my communication skills and understood how important that is within any workplace environment. There was one intern that I shared some frustrations with throughout the summer mainly because we had different work ethics and it felt like the workload was not evenly distributed consistently over the course of this internship. Although there were moments where it was challenging to work together, I think that the other interns and I made an effort to work even harder and make sure tasks were still completed to the best of our ability. This allowed us to work better as a team and bounce ideas off each other. I had discussions with my supervisor throughout the summer as well and I think this helped me build a stronger relationship with them and also realize that this is an instance that I will likely run into again throughout my career. I feel better prepared to deal with certain frustrations now and approach people in a way that is encouraging rather than unsupportive. This helped to transform my perspective on frustrations in general and I also learned how to hold myself accountable and still do what was best for the team.

4. These changes and transformations are incredibly valuable to my life because they gave me a look at what I might expect in the future and how things might not always go as planned, but I can continue to learn from them. I think this is an important outlook to have because there’s been times when I have felt pressured to choose one singular path or career and work towards that. From this experience I’ve learned that isn’t always the case and shouldn’t feel like I’m stuck in one position, especially if it isn’t something I’m passionate about. This summer I learned a lot about myself and was able to grow my confidence, which allowed me to be more open about trying new things and stepping out of my comfort zone. I think this is a critical component as I plan on graduating in the spring and will step away from the structure of school that I’ve known for 17 years. I’m ready to start a career and be part of the workforce, but it can be intimidating with lots of unknowns. I’m still not entirely sure what I want to do once I graduate, but I have learned that there is no set path and I will find my way through hard work and connecting with others. The skills and experiences I gained over the summer though have made me feel more prepared and excited for the future, which was a really valuable transformation I took away from this opportunity.

One of the on site greenhouses that held pot bound ash trees that had been bred using various methods.

Emerald ash borer larvae that had been dissected from an experiment tree eight weeks after eggs had been put on. The instar was determined for each larva and then a total weight was recorded.

1. Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project.

Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed.

This past summer of 2023, I interned for Northrop Grumman Corporation as a software engineering intern at their Baltimore, Maryland campus for a total of 10 weeks from June 5^th to August 11^th. As a software engineering intern, I developed and tested software parsing RF pulse files interfacing with signal generators and spectrum analyzers, utilizing C++ and MATLAB. Outside of work, I learned to live independently in Baltimore and had the opportunity to explore the greater DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) area.

2. What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project?

Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.

Coming into this internship, I had the desire to explore the field of computer science and figuring out if backend software development or software engineering is the path I wish to take. Generally, software development and software engineering are similar paths as many companies intertwine their responsibilities with each other. Post internship, I have concluded that this would most likely be the path for me to follow post-graduation. However, if I have the opportunity to in the future, I will pivot to explore other paths of computer science, such as data science and cybersecurity, both of which were prevalent at Northrop Grumman. Beyond fields, I will look for opportunities for rotational programs to participate in as they appear to be a great way to gain experience in multiple different disciplines either across engineering or computer science in general. Likewise, I will seek professional and personal experiences that may not necessarily align with my career path simply to learn more about the world and other professional networks. Another transformation of myself that I have come to realize is that a dream job lies in not the job itself, but the people you work with on a day-to-day basis.

Living in Baltimore for a whole summer, I have learned that cost of living is a measure that must be looked at regardless of where you will be living, but especially in cities. Beyond cost of living, a city’s culture should be analyzed to have a better understanding of one’s surroundings and what there is to offer in terms of lifestyle. A city that builds an efficient public transportation system clearly shows that it provides its people with what they need to live their lives with convenience. A city that showcases local business, arts, and crafts also provides insight into the culture of the city. Parks and other free attractions are a cost-effective way to show off the beauty of a city to not only tourists, but especially those who choose to make that city home.

3. What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you?

Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation.

During my STEP internship experience, I learned a lot about software engineering in the fields of RF and small embedded systems. Coming to Northrop Grumman, I had almost no experience or knowledge about these fields, so I was able to learn much of the terminology, mathematics, and methodologies done in these fields in relation to software specifically. While I do not have much desire to continue in these specific fields, I was still able to experience it firsthand to obtain an understanding of what they entail. Embedded systems are prevalent in my industry fields, so the knowledge I gain from this internship is much more valuable than what I let on. And, of course, this knowledge and experience in software engineering is encouraging me to continue in this direction of my career path as mentioned earlier.

Aside from specific internship tasks and learning, I also had the opportunity to participate and attend several exciting events and tours. One particular one continues to stand out to me: a tour of the space sector campus of Northrop Grumman. I was able to see a mission operations center in person, as well as several satellites and antennas, and much more. While I do not have space in my career path at the moment, attending this tour showed me that there can be beauty in the work you do, regardless of how serious or monotonous the work may be. Another event that also stands out is a cybersecurity lecture by a cyber analyst at Northrop Grumman. I was able to learn about what the field entails and what a day in their working life is like, showing me what my experience could possibly be if I eventually transition to that side of computer science.

A large portion of what made my STEP experience special, however, was the people. My team was very welcoming from day 1, ensuring that my intern experience was worthy of my time and of theirs as well. There were 7 other interns on my team itself, so we became quite well-acquainted or even friends by the end of the internship. With these friends, sometimes after work, we would go out for dinner or do fun things together, so those are fond memories for me. The software tech lead responsible for me and my projects had become my mentor and a friend across the span of the internship. He gave me valuable information about the field of software engineering itself and much of his experiences as a software engineer himself moving between companies and fields. This is all to reiterate that a dream job is less about the work you do, but rather the people you work with or see on a daily basis.

As for Baltimore itself, it is quite an interesting city. Given its proximity to Washington D.C., rent can be quite expensive as many of those working in D.C. choose to live in Baltimore instead, being only a metro ride away. However, also given its reputation as a city of high crime, I was expecting the worst but having stayed there a whole summer, there is some charm in its city. These two details combined essentially equate to paying for safety, meaning high rent, as not all of Baltimore is that susceptible to crime. There are many problems and details that lie beyond the surface that speak to the crime rate and high homelessness rate, so I won’t expand too much beyond that. In correlation to these factors, while Baltimore does have a working public transportation system, it is not entirely reliable, and schedules are not consistent enough. However, Baltimore does have quite a local arts and music scene, showcasing many of their local talents in events and on a popular Baltimore events website. D.C. itself, which is only a metro ride away, also has quite a few events to market as well to the Baltimore people. While Baltimore may not be the city for me in the future, I acknowledge that it is a city of culture, but you just need to be careful of your surroundings and the people you interact with in your local travels. Staying in Baltimore over the summer has given me a better idea of what type of city I would like to live within in the future.

4. Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life?

Write one or two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans.

My STEP experience with an internship has significantly transformed my life professionally as it has led me to discover and ultimately choose software development/engineering as my career path within the field of computer science, at least post-graduation. Beyond that, I was also able to gain valuable information from speakers and peers at Northrop Grumman who have done work among the cybersecurity, data analysis and data science paths. This information will prove to be invaluable in my career journey as I may choose to pivot from software engineering due to opportunities and interests. Additionally, this experience is academically significant as it has allowed me the opportunity to apply content I have learned from my coursework, namely object-oriented design, programming principles, testing, and much more.

Furthermore, living in Baltimore will forever be a significant part of my personal life. As I will be graduating soon, I have started looking for which city I will call home in the future. I have come to learn what I wish for in the culture of a city, as well as what I wish for within the city, especially in terms of public transportation, local events, and nature. The busyness evident in a big city showcases much of the world, and being able to experience that is wonderful in gaining a better understanding of the world, but also myself. All the experiences that I have experienced in my daily walks, travels, sights, and encounters have given me an appreciation and a caution of the world around me, along with the people in it.

I chose to use my STEP project funds for an internship in Chicago at a bank called Northern Trust. The program was over the summer for 10 weeks where I worked as the Banking Practice intern under Wealth Management. I worked mostly with the loan approval process and completed reports in excel.

My understanding of myself has changed a great deal after completing my STEP project. It was out of my comfort zone to spend an entire summer alone in a big city. I had also never done any kind of work like this before so I wasn’t sure if this internship would be a good fit for me. It ended up being a great experience and necessary for me to figure out more about my goals for a future career. It was an amazing opportunity to live and work in downtown Chicago for the summer and without STEP funds I don’t know if it would have been possible.

This internship was an excellent way for me to discover more about what kind of position I would like to pursue in the future. I greatly enjoyed the work I did over the summer and would love to hold a position like this in the future. At the end of the summer, I applied for a full time offer at Northern Trust and without this experience I never would have known to pursue this line of work.

My favorite aspect of my summer internship was the people I met and worked with over the summer. They helped to teach me a great deal about the Northern Trust and banking in general. I had a great mentor who gave advice that helped me to make decisions about my future. Everyone gave unique insight into possible career paths and encouraged me to explore every option. Having the chance to experience firsthand what a position at Northern Trust would look like has made me confident that I would enjoy working in a full-time career at the bank.

Before this internship I was nervous to live alone in a large city and wasn’t sure if it was something I would like to do after school. After completing this project I’m more confident that I would enjoy living in a big city like Chicago. It was very exciting, and I had a lot of fun getting out of my comfort zone. I even tried some new activities like yoga while I was there. Having STEP funds made this internship possible because it helped make the high cost of living and food manageable.

Throughout the internship I gained new skills and abilities that will help me in the future even if I don’t end up working at Northern Trust. I worked a lot in excel which helped me to build new skills with report writing and formulas. These abilities can be translated to many different positions and have made me into a more effective worker. I’m glad I got to build these skills because I hadn’t had the opportunity in my past experiences.

This project allowed me to foster new skills and was my first introduction to a professional work environment. I had the chance to live in downtown Chicago, have new experiences, and decide if living there in the future would be a good fit for me. Getting the chance to work at a bank in a big city was also an excellent opportunity to build a better understanding of what career I would like to pursue in the future. I had the ability to create strong relationships with multiple people that worked at the bank and gather an idea of different possible career paths for the future. Without STEP I don’t believe this experience would have been possible.

My STEP project for Summer 2023 was a Software Engineering internship at Tangram Flex in Dayton, Ohio. I was tasked with multiple bug fixes and the creation/modification of test cases for an internal tool at the company.

This experience largely changed my assumptions and perceptions of life in the workplace. My previous experiences I would describe as a more stereotypical work environment with cubicles and very work-focused people. However, my time at Tangram has introduced a whole new workplace culture. The individual people and their time seemed to be valued extremely highly. This opened my eyes to the importance of company culture for my future work. This also gave me a good idea what it’s like to work for a smaller company, as they only have around 90 employees. I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect as everyone at the company was extremely accessible. Overall, I believe I want to pursue smaller companies with similar culture in my future professional career.

One aspect that heavily affected this view was my relationship with my supervisor Nathan St. Amour. At Tangram, your supervisor is separate from the person who assigns you work. As a result, they are there to support your time at the company and ensure that you are happy with your work. I had meetings every 2 weeks with him to discuss anything that could make my time better and developed a very positive relationship as a result. He would bring up any concerns raised in those meetings to my project’s lead, who would then assign me work accordingly. This relationship developed extremely well, and I was able to ask questions about the company and software engineering in general. I even had an extremely productive pair-programming session with him during the last week of the internship where we were able to wrap up my final tasks together. This relationship highlighted the best parts of working in a smaller company with this structure, as I was able to be supported extremely well.

The onboarding process also helped to change my preconceived notions of the professional world. The entire first week was dedicated to getting acclimated to the company and its people. This included various typical meetings with HR and IT, but also included meetings with the CEO and other positions. The CTO even sent a private message on slack welcoming me to the company on my first day. Reflecting on this now, it is another benefit I see in smaller companies. Everyone who works there is very clearly a real person who you can interact with. I had never considered speaking to someone like the CEO at previous jobs, but it was a part of the onboarding at Tangram.

The final interaction that I will discuss that heavily affected my view on this experience was the help provided and genuine care of the other people on my project team. I had people like Jake Swelbar who ensured that I understood the project when I was first assigned, Eli Guck who I met with to discuss the repository that we had been assigned to work in, and my project lead Julian Santos who aided me multiple times in setting up my Linux environment and tangram repos. These people all volunteered to meet with me primarily to help me get comfortable faster. They were genuinely kind and instrumental to my enjoyment of the summer.

This experience was extremely influential to my near future as I will be applying to jobs that start after graduation 2024. I had experience at a medium sized company and decided to try out a smaller one to gauge my future interest. I can safely say that I at the very least want a smaller company vibe. It felt like a close-knit community that was extremely open to helping others. I believe that this type of environment is where I would be most successful and happy. This experience also opened me up to hybrid work. I enjoyed the flexibility of being able to work from home or the office on any given day. The office was great to be in for conversations with interesting people and the ability to ask questions in person. However, I was sometimes able to be more productive when I could just put my head down and work at home. Overall, I am glad that I chose to complete my project at Tangram because it offered an extremely different experience than what I was accustomed to, and as a result, changed my view on my future in the professional world.

1. Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed.

My STEP Signature Project entailed a summer in Seattle, Washington for an internship with Abbott Nutrition. I held the position of Consumer Sales Intern and completed a summer-long project that culminated in a final presentation after the 12 weeks. My project topic was to create a sales strategy for Pedialyte in one of our retailers.

2. What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.

One of my biggest accomplishments from this summer was gaining more independence. I was an independent person before this project but traveling across the country for a summer really put those assumptions to the test. From the start, I embraced every moment I spent in Seattle. I quickly jumped into my tasks at work, always asking questions and exceeding my managers’ expectations. Outside of work, I created a friendship with the other intern as we navigated a new city on our own. Some days, I took the leap of faith to explore new areas of the city on my own. The spontaneity and freedom felt empowering as I walked foreign streets, tried new restaurants, and checked out new shops. This summer was proof to myself that I have the confidence and skills to navigate a new job and a new city on my own! It makes me more hopeful for post grad as I hopefully move to Chicago.

3. What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation.

The three main experiences I can attribute my personal growth were my coworkers, my sales project, and the nature that Seattle has to offer. To start, the most important aspect of my summer journey were my coworkers: my manager, my mentors, and Kendall, my fellow intern. I has the opportunity to work with amazing people who supported my professional and personal growth. They challenged me, believed in me, and pushed me to create an exceptional final presentation that I was proud of. Outside of the office, my coworkers exposed me to new parts of city, from hiking, to restaurants, to kayaking, and beyond. I would not have been able to see so much of the city if it weren’t for their recommendations and excitement.

The second impactful aspect of the summer was my summer project. The sales role I held was unique as it was something I’d never done before. Further, I’d never had experience in a corporate setting either. Both of these aspects made the transition in to the office somewhat difficult. I was forced to learn a lot about the organizational structure, the culture, and the analytics behind retail. With the proper training and guidance, by the end of the summer, I was able to manipulate raw data to pull insights for my presentation. I knew the Pedialyte brand like the back of my hand and felt confident when I spoke to senior leaders about my work. Finally, I was able to journey out of my comfort zone and practice my presentation skills weekly to my entire team.

Lastly, the most unexpected component to my personal transformation was the nature in Seattle. I found myself in the outdoors almost every day, whether it was a walk in my neighborhood or a hike at Mt. Rainier. I found a passion for the outdoors this summer and it’s something I plan to continue exploring in the future. It was a sanctuary for me when I was stressed or lonely and made me realize how truly beautiful a home can be. The nature is something I still miss as I return to Ohio but will be the reason I travel back to the state of Washington!

4. Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans

This personal transformation of gaining independence was crucial for me. As I finish my senior year and enter post-grad life, I feel now that I have the necessary confidence and skills to move to a new city and start a new job. I better understand who I am and what I value, and I will continue to prioritize those things in the years to come. When I do leave Ohio State, I will remember this experience in Seattle as a highlight in my personal and professional life. I learned more than I ever could have expected and am excited to use this knowledge in future endeavors.