3 Takeaways and Tips from My Internship

Internships can play a substantial role in the development of your professional career. In the following paragraphs, I will discuss just a few things I wish I would have known going into my internship and some tips on how to have a successful internship.

1.??????Watch and learn

In the business world, I have noticed how important it is to visually see things as they are being described. It is one thing for someone to describe a concept to you, while it is another to explain, teach, and visually depict an idea. On my first day with Sysco my boss, Eduardo Henriquez , explained everything I needed to know about indirect sourcing. He even drew me a picture of trucks to demonstrate the importance of transportation in supply chain. In moments where intentional explanations take place, take it all in, watch, ask questions, interact, and learn. In these moments when your coworkers are taking time to teach you, be engaged. It is okay not to understand everything about your industry immediately, and it is okay to make mistakes- this is why there is such thing as intern programs. They offer an opportunity for you to learn from those who already work in the business and have experience. Engagement and continuous learning give margin to be better at what you may not have been good at beforehand. In the internship program at Sysco , you get assigned a mentor to work with throughout your internship. My mentor taught me everything I needed to know about electricity and utilities, which correlated directly to my summer intern project. If a mentor-mentee program is not included in your internship, find a mentor on your own! Talk to your boss or coworkers about someone who will help further your development as you excel in the workforce. Having experienced workers to lean on is crucial during your internship.

2.??????Meet the people around you

No matter where you work or what industry you work in, you will inevitably be around people. You have to know how to be around people, so learn how to do so well! Go out of your way to meet your coworkers and not only the other interns. During your internship term, ask to have your lunch break with someone in the company and build those relationships with the people you work with. At Sysco, there are around 2,000 employees that work at the Global Support Center (headquarters office). This number of people has presented the opportunity to meet workers in different industries than the one I am working in, such as Sales, Merchandising, Risk Management, and Real Estate. I have also been able to make friends with fellow interns pictured below. Take the opportunity to meet people who work throughout the entire company, not just in Supply Chain or whichever field you are interning. Be the one to introduce yourself to those you do not know and be intentional in asking others questions about themselves and their experience in the workforce.

3.??????Use your time resourcefully

During the duration of your internship, you sometimes may find yourself sitting in your cubicle wondering what you should be doing- in those moments, utilize your time. If you have free time, ask those around you if they need help with anything or if they have time to teach you something you want to learn more about. I have been able to assist my coworkers with data analysis, filing tasks, and research. On the flip side, my boss has taken time out of his busy schedule to teach me the ins and outs of supply chain and even a little about coding! It is also helpful to set a daily to-do list of the things you need to get done. This small organization tactic goes a long way in your day-to-day workflow efficiency. Additionally, you can take notes during meetings. Doing this allows me to remember what suppliers I have met with, what they do, and what gets discussed in a meeting.

As I enter the last two weeks of my internship and look back on my first day, I begin to grow more appreciation for the experience, the people I have met, and the events I have participated in. It makes me excited to return to Arkansas to finish my last year of college, where I will continue to learn more about Supply Chain and prepare to use my knowledge post-undergrad.