Major: International Business
Class: 2014
Where are you from?
I am originally from Michigan. I grew up on the shore of Lake Huron, but moved right before my freshman year of high school. I moved to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, which is about an hour north of Milwaukee.
What do you like about the IB program?
I like the IB program because of the range of classes I can take. I have chosen Marketing as my concentration, which allows me to take a lot of interesting classes, including classes that help me with my Technical Communication Minor. I also like that it gives me knowledge of and a connection to all of the different cultures one might come across in the business world. I’ve already been able to apply what I’ve learned about cultural differences and intercultural communication at my internship.
Where is your internship?
My internship is at P&H Mining, an international company that produces mining equipment. My position is warehouse coordinator intern, so I actually do work in an office right inside one of our warehouses. My main responsibilities involve working with SAP and the warehouse workers to get production orders and customer orders filled. We have also been working on a lot of clean-up lately to get our physical inventory to match the system. This means that I have been organizing inventory counts, doing analysis on any missing material, and adjusting the inventory in SAP.
How has the internship helped you?
Even though this position is in the supply chain management area, and I am an international business/marketing student, I have gained valuable experience and knowledge from this internship. Getting my foot in the door in an actual company has taught me so much about how companies run, the dos and don’ts of supervising and being part of a team, deadlines, communication, productivity, and so much more. Also, I believe that working with SAP and learning numerous transactions in the system will be a huge asset in my future because so many companies use that and similar systems.
Why did you choose IB?
I chose IB because it gives me the opportunity to not only learn about the way other nations do business, but to actually become immersed in a new culture and educational experience. I am more than excited to spend 11 months absorbing everything I can from the people, the school, and the businesses in Germany.
Why did you choose MSOE?
When I visited MSOE my senior year of high school, I was intrigued by the high standards of the school, its reputation and the students themselves. I have found, just as I anticipated, that everyone is very focused and driven. I love being in an environment where not only do the students put so much passion and effort into their own work, but are also willing to help each other succeed. What do you do in your free time? In my free time I play volleyball and run track for MSOE, am public relations Officer for PBL-MSOE (a business organization), and work part time at P&H Mining. When I’m not running around for school and work, I love doing anything outdoors!