Thursday, December 3, 2015

Fall 2015 Co-op Students


Christopher Stegall – Senior – Accounting
My internship at CACTUS Software has allowed me to learn a lot about state sales and income taxes! I'm about to walk into the office to calculate our sales tax liability in various states.

  
Sarah Czirr – Junior – Marketing / Jacob Weibel – Junior – Marketing
We work with the Google Community Leaders Program that is aimed at closing the digital divide in Kansas City. Their partnership with Literacy KC allows us to work directly with those who are underprivileged and do not have access to technology at home. We specialize in teaching them how to use online tools such as Google apps to help further their personal and professional growth. Here we are pictured in front of one of the many Google Fiber screens at the Google Fiber Space.

   
Brian McAuliffe – Senior – Business Administration
For the past six months I have been a Business Apprentice at Cerner Corporation in the Contract Management Operations Department. We are responsible for all of the contracts that are sent out to get signed by clients and then signed back here by executives. Every day I am able to connect with clients and other Cerner Associates all around the globe. It has truly been a learning experience that has helped me gain a greater understanding of the business world. Cerner Corporation is a great company and I am glad to have been given the opportunity to intern here.

    
Will Bockmeyer – Junior – Accounting
Working at a law firm allows me to get familiar with the data bases that are used on a day to day basis. Here I am searching the NetDocs data base.
 

Carolina Tines – Senior – English
My time at Uhlig LLC has been a great experience. I’ve had the opportunity to work with people who, like me, love the English language. I love the chance to network with interesting people while improving my proofreading skills.

  

 


 
Ruby Moore – Senior – Psychology
This is a typical day at Ozanam. I am interning as a Family and Youth Specialist. Part of my job is ensuring safety among each client. 98% of my day entails keeping everyone safe, from making sure everyone gets off of the bus safely when I come in on my shift, resolving conflicts, protecting the privacy of each client, all the way to checking rooms once everyone is in bed at night. Each night before we leave, we are responsible for going to rooms and checking on clients every 15 minutes. We have a checklist on every client’s door, and we check it off each time as verification.

 

 

 
Katelyn Edgar – Senior – Accounting
As part of the State Street internship, we are invited to give back. We spent a Friday afternoon volunteering at the Habitat Restore. Throughout the day, we were divided into teams and worked on a variety of different tasks for the company.  I enjoyed getting to know a little bit more about myself, my coworkers, as well as giving back to the community. 

 
Brett Basler – Senior – Accounting
With my internship, I am presented with a new and unique challenge every day. I have learned many new business and life skills throughout my exciting internship!


Tyrone Blackmon – Senior – Accounting
My internship with H&R Block is great because it allows me to affect people on a global scale. I work with the Expat Tax Services department and am able to do taxes for US Citizens living abroad.
 
 

Monday, July 27, 2015

PRROFREADER... by Carolina Vidal

PRROFREADER
PROOFREADER
By Carolina Vidal, Senior, English Major

 
When I first got the opportunity to interview for a position as a proofreader, I thought it was the natural thing to do. I am an English major, so it makes sense to find an internship that has something to do with reading, writing, or just looking for typos. It would give me enough experience to know whether or not I really liked the field, and it would have something to do with the English language.

After I was hired, I was ecstatic. I had done some proofreading for some unknown, self-published authors, but nothing too serious. Being hired to do that was a whole different thing, and the responsibility scared me. What if I couldn’t do it? What if I made a mistake? You know, it’s like anything else in life: you can do it, but when you tell someone, “Watch this,” suddenly you can’t.

But the weeks went by, I made mistakes here and there, learned from them (or at least I like to believe I did), and I’m still there. I got some encouraging feedback from my supervisors and had the opportunity to learn many things, especially about myself and in what kind of environment I like best. I have discovered I really enjoy working in a quiet environment. Compared to my previous experience when I was a student teacher in a kindergarten class, I can say I really love not having to talk all the time. I love children, but at the end of the day, I was always exhausted! So far, I am loving every minute of this experience. It seems like there’s always something that makes it interesting, or at least something that makes me think, “Huh! I had no idea!”

Friday, July 24, 2015

My Internship in Financial Market Research... by Quang Nguyen

My Internship in Financial Market Research
By Quang Nguyen, Finance and Applied Mathematics Majors

I am a senior student with dual degrees in Finance and Applied Mathematics. This summer, I got an intern position with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. My day starts out at 6AM. I commute every day for about an hour to work. The first thing that I usually do is to check my email for meeting or project work. At 8:30AM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we have our group meeting to discuss projects that are currently in process and assign new projects to appropriate members on the team. After the meeting, we all disperse and work on our own project.

This internship comes very close to my expectations. Everybody on the team knows what they are responsible for and are very self-sufficient. We try our best to contribute to the success of the team by completing our tasks efficiently and effectively. The most valuable thing that I have learned from this internship is that the work place atmosphere has changed quite significantly. In comparison to my first internship, my daily activities were just office work and shadowing people. With this internship, I am assigned with a research project, which could possible be used for future strategic planning to improve the profitability of the company. It can be said that my internship with BIVI so far is very involving and exciting. It allows me the opportunity to be independent, yet still I can contribute and gain access to knowledge from team members.
 
The advice I would give to other students who are thinking about obtaining an internship is to “do it”. The earlier you can secure an internship the better. These internship opportunities will provide you with a chance to gain perspective, become mature, and increase awareness of the skill sets that are desirable to companies.

In order to obtain an internship, never underestimate the power of connection. Use both personal and professional networks. Take the initiative and present yourself to others and let them know you are looking for opportunities to further learn about potential careers. 

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Summer Co-op Students Reflect On Their Internships

  Davies Sitenta - Junior - Global Studies
Working at the world headquarters of People to People International has broadened my insight about keeping a nonprofit organization sustainable and effective in achieving its mission. Here, I was entering our donor’s information in the database which was later used in the PTPI annual report. I work in a diverse working setting which makes it quite unique. Everyone brings their own touch to the work atmosphere and the organization at large.

 
Decho Valev – Junior – Accounting
My internship as a financial analyst allows me to help middle class families with their life coverage. Additionally, I have the responsibility of recruiting people who are sharp, motivated and coachable. Here I am standing in front of the company logo, inside the suite of the working place.


Duncan Preston – Junior – Economics
Each year Northwestern Mutual comes together in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for what's known as The Annual Meeting. In 2015 I was blessed in being recognized as one of five "Top 5 CFR's" in the United States. This picture was taken at The Annual Meeting with my Kansas City team.
 
 
Jake Jansen - Senior - Physics
This picture is from an important meeting today for an upcoming engineering project. Today was our "60 day out" meeting, meaning we are 60 days away from start time of the job. It went really well but I still have a ton of work to do before the start time comes into vision.
 
 
Mitchell Baum – Junior – Accounting
My internship at Daniel Jones & Associates has given me an incredible insight to the inner workings of accounting for school districts, local governments, and nonprofit organizations. Having no experience in an audit at first, Daniel Jones & Associates helped me in a crash course on audits for different types of organizations. This picture depicts me in front of my current audit project, a local St. Louis nonprofit organization. I'm very thankful that I was given this amazing opportunity for practical experience in my major's field.


Sarah Cook – Junior – Accounting
The accounting firm I worked for this summer values the importance of teamwork in all projects we complete.  Christy and I were able to work together to input data and prepare financial documents for our clients.  She, as well as my other co-workers, helped me immensely throughout the entirety of the summer, answering questions and teaching me things that might not necessarily be taught in a classroom. 


Thomas Cargile – Senior – Accounting
Softball league champs! Softball has been a great tool to help me network and get to know my coworkers at my internship. It is also a lot of fun when you are winning!

Tyler Corlew – Junior – Marketing
My internship with All Systems and Sphere3 (an affiliate of All Systems) allows me to understand how the healthcare and technology fields work as separate entities. The technology that All Systems sets up at hospitals, such as Children's Mercy Hospital and North Kansas City Hospital, works together with software that Sphere3 provides to better help nursing leaders. Also, I gained an understanding of how those entities can work together to increase safety and efficiency for schools and universities, government buildings, corporations and places of worship.

Monday, July 20, 2015

An Intern's Inside View at State Street... by Andrew Rice

An Intern's Inside View at State Street
by Andrew Rice, Senior, Finance & Accounting Major

I am one the newest interns assigned to the Security Valuations Team at State Street. As a student in the Helzberg School of Management at Rockhurst University, I hold a natural inclination towards working in the financial industry. State Street appealed to me because of their global presence in the financial services industry, their rich history which dates back to the founding of America, and their immaculate willingness to be flexible around my course schedule.

 
I work part-time in the evenings from 2 to 6 p.m. When I first get to the office, there is plenty of time for me to settle in and set up for the work-day. I use this time to read emails, complete training requirements, and get coffee or make inquiries about work processes. My tasks begin at 2:30 where I begin the process of pricing security funds through the use of multiple programs. The night usually consists of completing a task and sending off reports to another team as well as receiving reports from other teams. This creates a sort-of financial assembly line that allows State Street to effectively and efficiently serve a large volume of clients. The job itself sheds a lot of light about the inner workings of the financial markets and has allowed me to better understand where I see myself managing my career in the industry.

Getting an internship is quintessential to landing your perfect entry-level job out of college. The willingness to show an employer that you are devoted enough to go beyond collegiate requirements and seek out responsibilities in your chosen industry will certainly strengthen your resume. This is something most college students understand, but how do you get from inspired to hired? Fellow Rockhurst students seeking to land an internship are in great luck! Career Services at Rockhurst University is staffed with the most knowledgeable, helpful, and motivated professionals who would love nothing more than to have you get the most out of your education. If your interested in learning more about internship opportunities than contact Career Services today!

My overall experience with State Street has been beyond pleasurable. I’ve gotten a hands-on and inside look at how financial services works to serve their clients. I’ve also built myself into a better team player by working in a relaxed corporate environment with a great group that’s eager to teach. The only thing I wish I could have done different with my internship experience is applied sooner.

Friday, May 1, 2015

"What Has Your Internship Allowed You To Do?" Spring 2015 Interns in the Co-op Program Respond

Aaron Jackson - Junior
Double Major in Financial Markets & Economic Analysis and Applied Mathematics
This is my desk at Cerner Corporation, where I have worked for last year with the Global Mobility team. We are responsible for relocating associates throughout the world and by doing this, I have gotten the chance to work with a great team. My goal going into an internship was to be introduced to a corporation and start to understand what I should be expecting when I graduate from college. I believe that I have accomplished this goal.
 
 
Anna Mincher - Senior - Accounting Major
 Working at the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority allows me take concepts I have learned in the classroom and practice them in a real world setting.  I am able to get first-hand experience with working in a government funded organization and broaden my knowledge of governmental accounting. Growing up in Kansas City and interning at Arrowhead Stadium has allowed me to incorporate my hometown pride into my work which keeps everyday fun and interesting.
 
 
 John Bahlinger - Senior - Corporate Finance & Accounting Major
 Working at the Hamilton Retirement Group has given me the insights on what it takes to become a financial advisor. In the picture above, I am filling out our retirement income plan. I am gathering financial information from a prospective client to complete this plan. This shows individuals what they can expect to live off depending on what they have saved in their different retirement accounts.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Keith Williams - Senior - Exercise & Sports Science Major
My internship working the Rockhurst University Athletic Training staff has been a great experience and has given me a glimpse of what it is like to work as an athletic trainer. Working with college athletes on a daily basis has been great experience and is a career I would be interested in pursuing after completing this internship. The Rockhurst Trainers have been very helpful and have taught me a lot about the field over the course of this semester and I am very grateful for the chance to learn from them.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nicholas Borders - Senior - Accounting Major
Here I am entering invoices into the accounting system, which is the most time consuming part of my tasks. It is amazing to see how far I have come from last year to this year. I remember when I first started, I felt like I had no idea what I was doing. Now, I hardly get stressed and have to ask very few questions. I feel that I know the people I work with very well and can really relate to them.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Not What I Expected: So Much More! By Sarah Basler (Marketing Internship)


When I originally applied to be the next marketing intern for the Heart of America Council, Boy Scouts of America, I did not have many expectations.  I have previously worked in a marketing internship that was more directed at sales with monotonous tasks such as cold calling and data entry consuming my days.  I guess I sort of expected this new internship to be the same work in a different location.  To my surprise, this position was nothing like I had expected.  At the Boy Scouts, I have primarily focused on promotional aspects of marketing such as developing strategic social media calendars, designing shirts and banners, and writing blog entries about upcoming events. 
 
If someone were to ask me what the daily schedule of a Boy Scouts marketing intern looked like, I would not be able to accurately answer because each day is full of new experiences and learning opportunities. Before Boy Scouts, I had no idea how to professionally compose a blog entry, design on Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign, or copyright and edit a newspaper.  After only four weeks in this position, I have learned all of these skills as well as various other beneficial marketing proficiencies.  

The most exciting task I have been delegated thus far has definitely been writing media releases.  Whenever the Boy Scouts have an event that they wish to be publicized in an immediate manner to the over 31,000 Scouting participants, they issue a media release.  This notifies all of the major news stations about the event so that a media presence will be at the affair.  Also, the stations have a baseline for covering the story.  One of the releases I wrote was published in the Kansas City Star which was extremely rewarding to notice. I helped to spread the news and my writing was published!  
 
The most challenging task has been adjusting to using Mac software rather than a PC.  Also, I have had to quickly learn how to use the creative software like Photoshop.  Though challenging, I have grown more comfortable using new software and have developed skills that I will carry into my future career.

So if by now you can understand that "The Day in the Life of a Boy Scouts Intern" is unpredictable, you can understand why the internship has turned out to be more than I could have imagined with constant learning opportunities and chances to broaden my horizon in the field of marketing.

Friday, March 27, 2015

An Update From Spring 2015 Interns

Emily DeVore - Senior - Biology Major
Working at Metropolitan Energy Center as a Clean Cities Intern gives me the opportunity to develop a multitude of business skills, learn how a non-profit company works, and learn about alternative fuels.
 

Piotr Drwal - Senior - Economics Major
This is my team. I continue to learn a vast amount of information about the fuel business. For the past two weeks I was working on projects where I dialed around 300 companies and did some sort of business and customer service. I am working on my own projects and assist my colleagues with foreign clients that have preference in using either Polish or Spanish language.
 

 Chase Sorrick - Senior - Biochemistry Major
My internship at a law firm includes a lot of behind-the-scenes work that is not seen in the court. In this picture I am preparing an expert testimony notebook for use in a trial next week. A notebook like this would be used to cross-examine an expert witness. It would include prior testimony in an attempt to get the witness to contradict himself/herself.




Thursday, February 5, 2015

Psychology Student Intern - Ruby Moore


A Helping Hand

My name is Ruby Moore and I am a psychology major here at Rockhurst University. I decided to do my internship in health care working with the elderly population. I am centering my focus around older adults with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. During my internship, my goal is to provide comfort to these individuals who are affected by this disease. I've learned in training that individuals with Alzheimer's disease are affected because there are tangles within the brain cells that do not allow certain stimuli to be produced. Dementia is associated with Alzheimer's and there are several stages.  I also work with the general elderly population and my goal is to identify the psychological and physiological changes that affects these individuals' moods and behaviors on a daily basis.  I have learned in previous psychology classes some of the typical changes that elderly individuals may experience. For individuals who may not be experiencing problems with dementia, they might be affected psychologically because they have been taking care of themselves all of their lives and now may need someone to step in and help provide care for them.

The typical day for me is providing passionate care for these individuals and assisting them with any of their needs. The most important thing is doing what makes them happy and keeping them satisfied. Building positive relationships with these individuals is also very important in order to build trust and allow me to provide care for them. When working with these individuals, you must be willing to be very patient and have an understanding of their situation. We learned in training that when an individual gets agitated, do not to take it personal because they are not upset with us. When there is a challenge with not being able to calm them down when they are agitated, we give them a little space and return after a few moments. I am enjoying my experience so far as an intern and I am learning more each and every day. I am hoping that I can use the skills I've learned through my internship and apply them to my career as a future Psychologist.