Mid-Internship Reflections: Enlightening Journey at 7-Eleven

My internship in the business analytics and insights team at 7-Eleven has been an enlightening and enriching journey this summer. Immersing myself in a dynamic environment where data driven decision making is the core of every strategy, I tackled projects that ranged from identifying store segments based on performance variables and demographic mixes to exploring MP merchandise/region affinities to build "pseudo" user profiles.

One of the key projects I contributed to involved developing a predictive model to forecast sales. This project not only honed my technical skills in data analysis and machine learning but also provided insights into the real-world application of these techniques. Additionally, I worked on an assignment where I analyzed the sales trends of a set of stores and developed strategies to help increase their sales. I collaborated with seasoned analysts and which broadened my understanding of how different departments integrate their efforts toward a common goal.

A highlight of my internship was meeting an alum who also became my mentor and coach, Hemanth Devaraj, who played a significant role in shaping my perspective on career development. His journey from being a student at UTD to the Principal Analyst at 7-Eleven was inspiring. Raj's unwavering support and invaluable guidance were crucial in shaping this project. His insights and encouragement helped me navigate challenges and inspired me to strive for excellence.

The internship taught me crucial lessons beyond technical skills. Time management and effective communication were vital as I juggled multiple projects and coordinated with diverse teams. I learned the significance of presenting data in a clear and compelling manner to facilitate decision-making for stakeholders who may not have a technical background.

In summary, my internship experience was a perfect blend of learning, application, and professional growth. It reinforced my passion for business analytics and provided a solid foundation for my future career. The supportive environment, coupled with the opportunity to work on impactful projects, made this internship a rewarding and unforgettable experience.

Last, but by far not least, I thank Prof. Gaurav Shekhar, Sivya Leventhal, and the professors who have helped me prepare for this role, including Avanti Sethi, Dr. Rami El-Youssef and ?B.P.S. Murthi

#UTDMSBA #UTD #JSOM # summerinternship