#1

My Step Signature Project was an engineering internship at Axalta during the summer of 2023 in Hilliard, OH. My main tasks were inventory organization, where I ergonomically reorganized over 140 bins of parts,  and supply management, where I oversaw ordering products for the company.

#2

I had a lot of preconceptions of what my first industrial engineering internship would be like. For one, Axalta is a 6 billion dollar company so I thought the factory plant would be a lot larger, have more employees, be more organized , etc. However, my shift only had 15 workers for the whole plant. So although I was working for a large corporation, the day to day felt much more like a small company. 

Also going in, I thought my work would be more focused on 1 or 2 specific projects. However, while I did do larger projects, I did far more ad hoc tasks than I expected. This taught me how chaotic running a small factory plant can be. Lastly, I expected my manager would oversee and approve nearly all of my work / actions. The reality was far different, with my manager being more hands off than I expected, giving me a certain level of freedom and responsibility I had to get used to.

#3

One event that really showed me how chaotic a small plant can be is when one of our extruder cooling rollers broke. Since it was 1 of our 5 extruders we had to rework the whole work schedule to accommodate for this. This involved delaying certain orders and messing around worker schedules moving people between shifts. This wasn’t unexpected since the roller was showing signs of wear. This directly affected me since it became my top priority to find a replacement cooler that matched the specifications we needed. 

This second transformation happened slowly over the summer. Where I went from thinking I would be working mainly on one or two large projects to realizing how many different ad-hoc tasks I should expect to do in a given week. The tasks I was given were so diverse, including the following: organizing paperwork, researching and organizing inventory, driving to Home Depot for supplies, returning packages, etc… This helped give me experience of what it would be like to work for a smaller manufacturing plant, which will be quite useful when contemplating job offers for the future.

Lastly, I didn’t expect my manager to be as hands off as he was. This first struck me when I bought parts online, my manager didn’t follow up to ensure I ordered the right parts. When I made a mistake, I had to return the wrong part and re-order the right part. Fortunately, the parts weren’t essential, so it didn’t hold up plant production. But it still taught me to double check myself when doing this process going forward. Also, I worked directly with other employees at the company without my manager’s oversight. Overall, I liked this level of freedom but had to be more careful to ensure I didn’t make any mistakes.

#4

These changes were significant for three reasons. First, it gave me a more realistic view on the workplace. Where someone like my manager won’t always be checking my work, so it is up to me to control and deliver high quality work. Second, it made me realize what it is like working for a smaller company, which includes doing many more ad-hoc tasks and dealing with more uncertainty in my day to day schedule. Third, it gave me a chance to work in an industrial based internship, my first so far. It provided a nice contrast to my other internships and work opportunities, helping me realize that I preferred to work in a plant over coding.

Overall, my learnings here will help me be better informed when I choose between the full time offers I receive.

Pictures

This is one of the many parts I ordered. It was quite difficult to find this part.

I labeled and organized all this inventory

My STEP Signature Project involved attendance at an internship for most of the summer. I commuted to Dublin Ohio 5 days a week for the 3 months stated in my project proposal. At this internship I learned many trade-specific practices that will be useful in my job hunting process post-graduation next spring.

During this STEP project, I was able to get my first look into how the business world plays out real-time. I was able to learn a ton of information pertaining to the retirement and wealth management areas of finance with the firm I interned at. This internship allowed me to gain lots of information about these fields, as well as giving me more insight into the areas of Finance I want to explore more when I am looking for jobs. I was also able to get a good look at what my life will look like when I am employed in a job full-time.

The biggest event that changed my perspective during my STEP project involved how my life changed once I started working full time as opposed to being a student. The process of getting up and going to work every day impacted all of the other things I enjoy in daily life. I had to go through a long adjustment period where I had to get my mind and body acclimated to this change. This was much harder than I anticipated, and my workout routine, sleep schedule, and overall physical and mental health varied greatly during this time. It was only when I was used to working the job full-time that I was able to finally get back on a good healthy sleep and exercise schedule.

I also learned a great deal about myself during my STEP project. I learned a lot about my strengths and weaknesses, and about how these strengths and weaknesses can play out in a business environment. One notable strength that I was able to use to my advantage was my ability to form relationships with coworkers and clients. I was able to have meaningful conversations with my coworkers that led me to feel very connected to the work-space and to the overall company. This had a very positive impact on my motivation and allowed me to produce higher-quality work in a more efficient manner. I also noticed that one of my weaknesses was my ability to adapt. Learning new skills and changing my every-day environment was difficult for me. I had to spend lots of time asking questions about tasks I had been trained to do because I was not able to internalize the information fast enough. I will have to work on that before I take on another full-time position in the future.

Finally, my STEP project was my first real look into what it feels like to be an independent and self-sufficient adult. During the summer I lived on my own, and was responsible for all of my own work inside and outside of the workplace. I had to work constantly to ensure that I was meeting deadlines while still doing household tasks and chores. I also had very little interaction with my college friends during this time period as most of them were either home for the summer or were working jobs of their own. Because of this, I learned a great deal about what it means to be truly independent. I was able to (after a long learning period) adjust to the process of taking care of myself by myself. I believe that this skill will be extremely useful to me in the future, and I am happy to know that I can live by myself and still perform in a working environment.

This transformation brought on by my STEP project is valuable for my life in many ways. First, the professional experience I gained will help me to further my career and will help me to decide what are of Finance I want to work in. I also gained a lot of experience in working in a business environment like the company I interned at. Secondly, I learned about my strengths and weaknesses, and about what I will need to change about myself in order to truly succeed in my career in the future. And finally, I learned a lot about independence and about how to take care of myself while still performing in my career. I will be using those skills when I graduate school and work towards a more permanent position in the future.

This past summer I had an internship with Bob Evans Farms doing financial reporting. I was tasked with helping out the financial reporting team with whatever they needed, and also as a group of interns we were tasked with creating a new flavor of mac and cheese.

During my summer internship at Bob Evans, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery that profoundly impacted my understanding of myself, my assumptions, and my view of the world. Initially, I approached the internship with a narrow perspective, solely focused on the financial planning aspect of the company. However, as I immersed myself in the daily operations, I quickly realized the interconnectedness of various departments within the company. This realization prompted me to reevaluate my assumptions about the workplace, emphasizing the importance of cross-functional collaboration and the need for a holistic understanding of business operations. My time at Bob Evans taught me that success in the financial planning field requires not only a grasp of numbers and analytics but also a broader perspective that considers the entire organizational ecosystem.

One of the most unexpected yet invaluable experiences during my internship was my involvement in the creation of a new mac and cheese flavor. It challenged my preconceived notions about the boundaries of my role as an intern. Collaborating with the R&D on a project outside my core responsibilities exposed me to the creative side of business and broadened my worldview. I came to appreciate that innovation often emerges from unexpected intersections of knowledge and expertise. This experience reshaped my view of the world as a place where diverse skills and perspectives can come together to produce something truly unique and successful. In hindsight, my summer internship at Bob Evans was not just about financial planning; it was a transformative experience that expanded my horizons, shattered my assumptions, and made me more adaptable and open-minded in both my personal and professional life.

My summer internship at Bob Evans was not only a significant learning experience in terms of financial planning and accounting but also a transformative period for my personal and professional relationships. I was fortunate to be surrounded by a supportive and talented group of individuals, including my fellow interns and my manager, Jeremy Krill. These relationships became the cornerstone of my summer journey, providing me with guidance, encouragement, and camaraderie. Working closely with my peers allowed me to exchange ideas, share experiences, and develop lasting connections that extended beyond the workplace. These relationships taught me the value of teamwork, communication, and the importance of building a strong network in any professional endeavor.

One of the pivotal events that shaped my summer was the series of presentations I had to deliver, both individually and as part of a group. These presentations pushed me out of my comfort zone, challenging me to improve my communication skills and develop confidence in sharing my ideas. Through constructive feedback and the support of my colleagues, I not only enhanced my presentation abilities but also gained a deeper understanding of the subject matter. These experiences highlighted the transformative power of stepping up to the plate and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth.

Another vital aspect of my summer internship was our weekly meetings with the other interns. These gatherings provided a platform for us to exchange insights, discuss our projects, and seek advice from one another. It was in these meetings that I truly appreciated the diversity of perspectives and backgrounds that each intern brought to the table. The collaborative environment fostered by these weekly interactions encouraged me to broaden my horizons, be open to new ideas, and further solidified the relationships I had built. This transformative summer not only deepened my understanding of financial planning and accounting but also underscored the importance of relationships and personal growth in the professional world.

The transformation I underwent during my summer internship at Bob Evans holds immense value in my life for several compelling reasons. Firstly, it equipped me with invaluable interpersonal skills and the ability to navigate professional relationships effectively. Building strong connections with my fellow interns, manager, and the financial reporting team taught me the significance of collaboration, empathy, and adaptability in the workplace. These interpersonal skills extend far beyond the confines of my internship, influencing my interactions with colleagues, superiors, and peers in all aspects of my life. The ability to connect with others, communicate ideas, and work harmoniously as a team is a skill set that will serve me well in my future career endeavors and personal relationships.

Secondly, the transformation I experienced expanded my comfort zone and bolstered my self-confidence. Through challenging presentations and engagement in projects beyond my initial scope, I learned the importance of embracing opportunities for growth and pushing myself beyond perceived limits. This newfound confidence has not only enriched my professional life but also empowered me in my personal pursuits. I now approach challenges with a more resilient mindset, understanding that each obstacle presents an opportunity for self-improvement and learning. The transformative experiences of my summer internship have, without a doubt, left an indelible mark on my character, enhancing my abilities, resilience, and outlook on life, making it an invaluable chapter in my personal and professional journey.

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 project was my summer internship working for General Motors

in Detroit. The grant helped me pay for my rent/expenses and live in a city I 

had never experienced. It also helped me to have the ability to work in person, which was very important to me.

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.

I understood what was important regarding work location, environment, and work-life balance. Living in Detroit, I learned much about what I look for in a city. Although I liked the city of Detroit, I realized I may not want to live there if I were to go back full-time. I grew up just south of Boston, and there were a lot of differences between the two cities. Detroit wasn’t as condensed and lively as I would’ve hoped for. Living in the suburbs of Detroit is a more social environment that offers restaurants, a younger population, etc., so I would most likely live in this region full-time if I we

re to move to Michigan in the future.

I also learned that I strive for a social city and a life outside of work. I found myself constantly wanting to do activities after work, and this has to be something a city or suburb that I will live in offers. 

Additionally, my project helped me understand that I love to work in person. I worked hybrid this summer, and the times in the office were more enjoyable than remote. I look to be in-person in my career in the future, and this is something I would only have gotten to know about myself if I lived in Detroit.

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.

One of the best moments of the summer was the yacht networking event we had with the interns and executives of the company. During this four-hour event, I met segment CFOs, directors, managers, a

nd the company’s CFO. Being in person let me have this experience and make connections that will help me in the future.

When I explored Detroit, I met with many interns and people who lived in the suburbs and realized that this suited my personality and interests. Meeting people in different areas of Michigan ma

de me know I was missing something from only living in downtown Detroit. Additionally, we had an event based in the suburban region, which made me realize that it was a place I could see myself living. Having these opportunities to explore different areas of Michigan that all offer something unique – made me understand what I truly look for in a residence.

Working in the office was big for me. The second week I was in the offic

e, my team had a picnic where we got to play yard games, eat food, and get to know each other. This isn’t anything I could’ve gotten if I were remote. This in-person interaction with my team made me better understand everyone and enhanced my work experience. The closer I was to my team, the more I looked forward to enterin

g the office.

On the last day of my internship, my team set up a going away lunch for me. Talking with everyone on my team, face-to-face, was meaningful to me. These aren’t experiences that you can have with someone over the computer. Being able to laugh with each other and engage in fluent conversations with your team was something I did not take for granted.

My STEP Project benefited me greatly, and I’m delighted it allowed me to have a much more meaningful summer.

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 change was significant for my life for several reasons. First, it helped me realize what I truly value in the work environment regarding in-person interactions. Next, I now understand how important location is for me. I want to be in an area that is more condensed and has activities around me, such as hiking, trying new restaurants, 

etc. Also, I work best when I am in person. I was always excited to go into the office and catch up with my coworkers. Working in the office made me work much harder and motivated me to be more productive. These experiences benefited me immensely, and these key takeaways from my project wouldn’t have been possible without the gran

t I received. After having such a positive experience with STEP, I now am an ambassador for the program to tell others how beneficial and impactful the program is to an undergrad.

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 consisted of interning for the public accounting firm BDO out of their Cleveland, OH office.  I worked in their Specialty Tax Services – Compensation & Benefits department.  This consisted of various tasks such as dealing with client taxes, retirement planning, and 5500 form preparation.    

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. 

During this internship, I gained valuable knowledge and experience that I believe will benefit me in the future.  This was my second time working for BDO so I had a basic understanding of the role I would be in. However, they allowed me more opportunities to grow and allocated more responsibility into my weekly schedule in order to help me as a professional.  This gave me valuable insight into the corporate world and showed me how important it truly is to make connections.   

I had a mentor throughout the internship who told me to connect with as many people in the firm as possible so that is what I did.  Through meeting other colleagues and higher ups, I got a better understanding of the corporate world which led me to the realization that lots of success is based on who you know rather than what you know.  Obviously, it is important to know the basics of how a business or sector of the company works, but getting to know and gaining the trust of people in charge will propel you much farther in my observation.  This realization transformed how I view the business world and will stick with me as I go about my professional career.   

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. 

A big part of the internship included weekly meetings called “intern hour”.  In these sessions, all the interns in the firm would join a teams meeting and listen in on the topic of that week.  Some sessions included information on specific sectors of the company while others simply provided information on how to succeed in Corporate America.  Each of these sessions were led by employees of the firm who had knowledgeable insight on the topic they were discussing.  I was able to pick up on valuable information each week which propelled me through the internship and beyond. 

One specific intern hour that stuck with me was one that discussed the path to partner.  In this session, a partner described how they got in the position they are in today.  They discussed their career path and what it took to move up in the company.  I found it interesting how they came from a background that did not even include much accounting yet it provided a strong base for their current position.  It showed how having knowledge in a variety of different fields combined with lots of experience can provide you with lots of career opportunities. 

Another impactful intern hour I attended was based on the role of an associate.  I found this session interesting because it discussed what a typical day looks like for an associate of the firm.  Given that I will soon be an associate, it was helpful to get a basic understanding of what my role will be like.  The associate who led the session harped on the importance of completing tasks in a timely manner and helping out others on projects whenever possible.  He included that getting certifications is also beneficial to moving up in a company. 

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 change in perspective on the business world that I gained over the course of my internship provided me with invaluable experience that will propel my professional career.  Seeing how a large firm operates and being given important responsibilities that affect the day-to-day operations of a company allowed me to grow as an individual.  This past summer showed me that I am capable of being an effective employee and can have a positive impact given the right mindset.  The confidence I gained in myself will stick with me and resonate wherever I end up.  My professional goal of one day being at the top of firm started with the foundation I built with BDO.  I am certain that because of this experience, I grew as an individual and became a better version of myself. 

My STEP Signature Project was the completion of an internship this summer. I worked at a civil engineering design and consultancy firm called Arcadis, and my role as an intern was primarily to aid in the plan production process for transportation projects that our company was involved with. 

After completing my summer internship, I discovered which specialization I want to work in full-time after graduating with my civil engineering degree. Throughout the summer, I got real hands-on experience in creating and designing the plans for road improvements in the state of Ohio. This included toll plaza improvements, roundabout design, and highway improvements. I worked with incredible individuals who not only helped me with questions I had in completing tasks, but also offered valuable insight about their time in the industry. I realized that everyone I worked with, both interns and full-time employees, are also people with lives outside of work and that absolutely changed my view of the working world. I also developed a better understanding of how to be productive while also taking time for myself throughout the day to improve my value as an intern, and therefore balance my own well-being with the needs of my supervisor and higher-ups.

A huge part of my transformation into a productive member of the workplace and as a working adult were the people I was lucky enough to work with. During my time with them, I realized that everyone I worked with also is on a continuous journey of professional discovery, and they were once in my shoes as an intern trying to figure out what they wanted to do with their career post-grad. Getting to create these relationships helped me feel more connected to my workplace and made it a lot easier for me to ask questions about work and life, which helped the idea of full-time become less scary to me.

Another major portion of my internship experience that led to a lot of personal growth for me was my role in helping with the design of road improvements. While working day-to-day on real projects that are in the process of being implemented, I realized that I love the transportation design field and want to continue on that track. We worked a lot on the design and production of roundabouts that are soon to be built after project submission, and I found the efficiency and safety of roundabouts fascinating, offering me another window into the possibilities of my field and what kinds of projects are out there. 

The last part of my internship that really helped me realize what it means to be a functioning person in society was when I recognized the importance of balance. A lot of the people I worked with had a lot going on in their lives outside of work, and I saw how important it was for them to take breaks so they could be more productive. It is important to be passionate about what you accomplish in your career, but it is also so important to not let your career dominate who you are outside of work. Throughout the day, I would take small breaks to walk around the office, and I would also work from home some days if I thought I would get more done by having some extra time to rest. Outside of work, I made it a priority to exercise and take some leisure time for myself so I could be ready for the week and feel good about myself. I realized how important breaks and self-care are, because then you can be good to your coworkers just as you can be to yourself.

This transformation and period of growth is extremely valuable for my life. I feel as if I transformed in three ways: within my relationships with coworkers, as a working adult in my field, and also as someone who is a person in addition to an employee. In making relationships and connections with others working in the civil engineering field, I grew a lot personally and professionally because I was able to have full conversations with people who have been in the field a lot longer than I have, and I felt very comfortable doing it. I even formed some friendships along the way with interns who are close to my age and also about to enter the workforce. Also, I grew professionally because I was finally able to decide where I think I want my career path to lead, which is somewhere in the transportation design category. Finally, one of my biggest goals in life is to feel fulfilled both personally and in my career, and with this internship I fully understood the importance of balance to achieve this. I hope I will be able to carry this growth with me into the future, and that I continue to form valuable connections while also advancing my career post-grad. And of course, this STEP project taught me the importance of self-care in reaching these goals.

STEP Description       

During this past summer, I was able to intern at Levin Consulting, a technology consulting firm, through the Cleveland Hillel Summer Internship Program. In addition to performing everyday tasks such as technology product research, analysis, and comparisons with competition to clients, my main project this summer was organizing Tech Connect Live. Tech Connect Live(TCL) was a multivendor sales event in Chicago that was created by Levin Consulting. I worked alongside my supervisor to design floor layouts, signage, and schedules, auditing expenses corresponding to the event, and directly with the hotel and guests from different companies to assure proper execution of the event and satisfaction of its attendees. Not only did I help organize it, but I flew out to Chicago with my company at the end of my internship and saw all the work that I had done over the past few months become a reality.

Transformation

I believe that like most students who participate in any internship, I realized that there are certain aspects of one’s area of studies that one absolutely loves and other parts that one might not be as fond of. Through this internship, I have learned the value of having in-person communication with co-workers and clients. I am someone who loves being immersed into a project filled with people from different backgrounds and perspectives. I found that when I am put in these groups, my mind opens up to different perspectives that I never would have considered a possibility.

During my internship, I found that I lacked that essential communication and groupwork. Many companies are still adjusting to business after Covid-19, including mine so I was able to understand maybe why the groupwork and in-person communication was not what I was expecting. Most meetings were conducted via zoom and communication was mostly through email chains. Business practices have changed, and I needed to adapt to this new form in my internship. But what I learned about myself is that in my future career and job search, I need to be a part of a work environment that values and puts first team collaboration and having face to face meetings and contact. I find that I can engage better with those when there is an office space and I meet people in real life. In addition, my internship allowed me to see just how much a city can offer. Because my internship was also connected to the Cleveland Hillel Summer Internship Program, myself and a group of other Jewish college students who were interning in the Cleveland area had immersion days. These days consisted of visiting different historical sites like the Karamu house as well as going to city hall and seeing just how much Cleveland does to provide for its people. That also solidified my want of living in a metropolitan city like Cleveland, where there is a diverse population and many different activities to enjoy from. That is one of the best ways I can gather worldly knowledge that I can bring into the workplace and that is what I did during my internship this past summer.

Events, Interactions, Relationships, & Activities During the Project

My internship at Levin Consulting was more than I could have imagined. As an intern, I was able to go on my first work trip and I met people who instilled new ideas into my head. My boss who also happens to be the owner of the company taught me a lot about people in business. Whenever I had activities outside of my internship such as the immersion days, he would tell me to go out and meet people and to bring back the names of two of them as well as three facts about the person. Obviously, he was not interested in the people I brought back, but he was interested to see how it helped me formulate connections with people. It allowed me to branch out and meet new people. I had a purpose of learning about those around me which led me to have deep conversations and form strong bonds, especially with the other interns in my same program.

The most essential event that I experienced during the internship in my opinion was Tech Connect Live in Chicago. With this being my big project over the summer, seeing what I had worked on all summer, become a reality was nothing other than amazing. How many interns can say that they worked on a whole show and then flew to a different city to not only witness but participate in the result. I don’t think many can. This trip solidified my love of connecting with others as well as believe and have confidence in myself and my abilities. I know what I am capable of and to know not only that I can execute such a big project but know what works for me and how to improve for future projects is a big accomplishment, especially when I have not entered the workforce yet.

And finally, this internship made me realize that at the end of the day we are all humans. Growing up, one always thinks of businesspeople as these professionals that eat, sleep, work and repeat but that’s not the case. My coworkers were people who had families, outside activities, and most importantly made mistakes just like I did as an intern. My work environment was forgiving and understanding. They encouraged me to ask questions and make mistakes because that was the best way to learn, and they were right. I was never afraid to ask why or what my day-to-day tasks were working towards. What was that bigger picture. I had to push and ask in order to create that group cohesiveness that I desired. And it taught me that not everything will be given to you and that you should be finding ways to make your environment as possible, not expecting everything to fall into place.

Why Is The Change Significant

I believe that any experience one goes through is knowledge that one didn’t have before. I learned this belief from my grandfather who was the son of Holocaust survivors. He has always said, “the one thing that someone can’t take away from you, is your knowledge.” I live by that statement. Knowledge is power and so is change. Experiences allow me to learn and adapt to my environment. I am able to absorb new ways of living and am lucky enough to see how the teaching from my personal, academic, and professional goals can overlap and intertwine with each other. Each experience in my life, whether it be positive or negative, is an experience and knowledge that I did not have before, and no one can take that away from me. In fact, I am able to grow and help others with that very knowledge.

With that being said, here is the knowledge that I have acquired through my internship at Levin Consulting, and I share it with you; It is okay and sometimes encouraged to mess up when you’re an intern. Build your confidence up now, because no one can and will believe in you more than yourself. My internship transformation consisted of opening myself up to new perspectives and ditching the stereotypes that one thinks of in the workforce. Allowing myself to try new things and create my own vision of working in the business world. Because of this transformation, I hope to continue learning with every experience, while also having the confidence to know what I’m looking for in every area of my life.

Main Room Layout: Where vendors, retailer, and distributors met and had their 1v1 meetings as well as scheduled presentations.

Gel Blaster: A vendor expo of their product

This Summer 2023, I was able to complete a Supply Chain internship with PepsiCo at their Frito-Lay Headquarters in Plano, Texas. During these 10 weeks, I helped to facilitate and streamline new seasoning innovations by leveraging cross-functional partners mainly R&D, Engineering, Procurement, and Scheduling to name a few.

This experience was not only valuable to me as a professional growth opportunity by being my first job in Corporate America as well as in a Supply Chain role. Through this, I was able to learn more about what I wish to incorporate in my future career and what type of company I wish to work for in the future. It gave me an opportunity to experience cross-functional collaboration on a global level and taught me the importance of defining a project’s success early on. But during this summer I also had large amounts of personal growth, mainly by the fact that I was the farthest away from any family or friends that I had ever been, for the longest period of time, forcing me to be very independent.  This along with being in Texas for the first time ever, this provided me the opportunity to push myself outside my comfort zone to ensure I saw as much of Dallas as possible during my limited time there.

As mentioned above I was able to undergo large amounts of professional development during my time at PepsiCo, Frito-Lay North America. Not only was the project given to me challenging, as I needed to learn about the background of the company, my team, the different chip manufacturing process, and our cross-functional partners’ roles to allow for effective teamwork. But by being part of the innovation team, a role I immensely enjoyed, I was able to see several different sides of the company as well as utilize some technical skills from my Food Engineering background when working on seasoning innovation. My manager was also an integral part of my success as the scope of my project changed almost weekly forcing us to be very flexible. He showed me the importance of having a manager who’s on your side and invested in ensuring that those working under them feel supported and valued.

An example of this is that my manager greatly took into account the type of internship experience I wanted. Meaning that, as long as I took the initiative and proposed an idea it was never met with disregard, and instead, he would take time to refocus me as needed. Since my first week, I voiced my wishes to be able to see one of the Frito-Lay sites I was working on to get actual hands-on experience with the process I was helping to streamline. Though it took a few weeks, I was eventually able to tour three different plants and even receive the opportunity to accompany my manager on a work trip, truly showing me the unparalleled opportunities one can receive as long as you’re willing to ask and show commitment. Along with this PepsiCo also hosted several networking events for interns to socialize with upper management. Never before had I been given the opportunity to share a meal with the Directors and Vice-Presidents of such a global organization. Through these interactions, I was able to not only build connections but also feel valued as a true asset to the company.

Finally, from a personal level, I underwent so much personal growth over this summer. By being in a new place and over a thousand miles away from my support system, I had to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. I wanted to do an excellent job in my internship while at the same time getting to enjoy Dallas, even if that meant that I had to explore the city alone, which happened on more than one occasion. I still remember my first two weeks, when I still didn’t know anybody, I went and drove 40mins from Plano to Dallas down a major highway for the first time, learned how to parallel park and use a parking garage for the first time, and eat at a restaurant alone for the first time just to explore downtown. I was able to get a lot more comfortable being alone with myself and develop more self-confidence too.

Overall, this summer taught me a great deal about myself. Such as small things about how much I would miss being out in nature, near hiking paths, and not in 100+ degree weather. Or how I don’t love sitting in front of a computer all day going from Zoom meeting, to email to Excel and want a job that requires a bit more physical movement. But it, more importantly, taught me that I truly love the Food engineering degree I’ve chosen and that I am capable of being a good engineer, whether that be in corporate America or in a manufacturing plant. It provided me with a huge confidence booster that I can be independent by supporting myself, providing good results at work, and still enjoying my personal time. This summer proved to me that the biggest limitations for me are those that I’ve placed upon myself and that I have the capabilities for that and so much more.

This summer, I had the amazing opportunity to intern with the Ohio Innocence Project at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Some of the main activities during the internship were educational and training classes on the subjects of wrongful convictions, trips over the state of Ohio meeting with people of importance relevant to OIP, events with exonerees around Ohio, and researching mental health and PTSD resources for clients.

I experienced a lot of transformations during this internship over the summer. First, a transformation that occurred within myself was my realization of my passion for justice. I always knew that I was passionate about justice and helping those involved in the criminal justice system but seeing it firsthand and now interreacting with real people who experienced injustice motivated me even more. It broke my heart to see firsthand how these lives have been affected, and it made me want to do everything possible going forward in my career to help them. I think it is really important to have a “why” in the field of social work. Why do we do what we do? Why are we helping them? Why is it important to us? This summer, I really found my “why,” and I believe that it will fuel me going forward.

The biggest event and interaction during the summer that led to this transformation was the weekend trip to Toledo. In Toledo, the Ohio Innocence Project had three newly freed clients. We planned an event to gather all the exonerees and their families together in Toledo to celebrate the newly freed clients. The event had a lot of food, live music, and a service project of making beds there. At this event, I really got to interact and get to know the exonerees and their families. I was blown away to see the way that the exonerees live their lives. It was so clear that they live their lives so grateful to be alive. They were all so full of joy and gratitude. It was also amazing to see the ways they interact with the other exonerees. They truly are a family and lean on each other. I left the event in tears because of how eye opening it was. It made me realize that I need to be more thankful for the life that I live. I need to be more thankful for freedom and live like every day could be my last.

This internship and the things I learned from it matter because it changed my life and motivated me in my career. It is one thing to be passionate about a social problem, but it is another thing to go out into the world and actually interact with the people who have been affected by it. I talk and write a lot about why our justice system is flawed, but I haven’t actively done much about it. This summer, I felt like I was making a real difference in the criminal justice system. Not only did I attend a lot of events interacting with the exonerees, but I also got to be a part of legislative work. We spent time actively writing bills to reform our justice system. This internship was an incredible experience, and I look forward to working with the Innocence Project again.