Local college student networks into a unique internship

Isaac Inniger was sitting in Scott Molander’s Butler University class on the first day of the semester in 2022 when he heard something that piqued his interest. Professor Molander’s wife is first cousins with Michael Andretti, the legendary driver and owner of Indianapolis-based Andretti Autosport.

Connections are everything for college students and Isaac has learned the value of them at a young age.

He parlayed his relationship with Professor Molander into an internship with Andretti Autosport and got to work the Indy 500 last May with one of the preeminent racing teams.

That’s where he met Abigail Reis from the Group 1001 sponsorship team. When Abby needed help with anything Colton Herta or Gainbridge related, Isaac was ready.

“I did anything and everything,” said Isaac, now a senior finance and risk management double major at Butler. “I would take groups through garages, make sure all the golf carts were situated, bring people up to the Pagoda and just do whatever the team needed.”

He even has a picture with Colton Herta and the Andretti Autosport team after Herta won the Grand Prix at IMS to prove it.

During Group 1001’s “Employee Day” at the track where employees get to come out and experience Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Isaac’s job was simple: cart guests to and from their cars. One of the people he drove was Rick Neff, Vice President of Administration at Group 1001.

Rick saw something in Isaac and after the two chatted over a cart ride to the Pagoda, Rick offered Isaac an internship in the operations department at Group 1001 on the spot.

"As I met Isaac, I observed Isaac’s focus on serving other people and ensuring they had a great experience as we celebrated our Group1001 staff at our Employee Appreciation Event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” said Neff. “In the brief time that I spoke with Isaac, I recognized his passion to serve and was excited to quickly connect with an internship opportunity with Isaac.”

Isaac did the internship from September through December and had a well-rounded experience in annuity administration and took every opportunity to soak up time with different areas of the business.

“It was great to see Isaac active with our staff and contributing to our success throughout his internship. Isaac demonstrates the “Service before Self” attitude,” said Neff. “Throughout my career, the most successful teammates, leaders, and managers live and lead by that mantra.”

Isaac even took on a second major, risk management, after his time at Group 1001.

“I would have never got the Andretti (internship) if I wasn’t ambitious,” said Isaac, who will be working part-time for Andretti Autosport this coming May. “I would have never got the Group 1001 internship if I didn’t meet Rick. You just never know who you are going to run into. Over the course over last summer, I met three billionaires. Never thought that would happen to me at the age of 20. All these experiences and connections will only help me in the future.”

And whether Isaac’s future includes Andretti Autosport or Group 1001 or a completely different path, he’s mastered the skills of leaning on his connections, working hard and always networking.?