What's been cool about this experience?
"I got the opportunity and privilege to travel to Chicago with some people from my team. We enjoyed some fantastic dinners together and, of course, couldn't miss out on trying authentic Chicago deep dish pizza. One highlight was getting a tour of the Chicago office. It was cool to see the space in person, and just like in Rochester, the views from the office are truly amazing. During my visit, I had the opportunity to connect with several other interns who were in the office that day. It was inspiring to learn about the projects they're working on, while seeing their departments. We also made time to visit the iconic Bean. I'd only ever seen it in photos before, so to finally see it up close was amazing.
"My favorite experience, though, was attending the NeoCon convention. Walking around to different vendors, brainstorming how our teams might use various products, and seeing firsthand how my team in Facilities collaborates with other companies to keep projects running smoothly was both eye-opening and energizing. I met so many incredible people and am truly grateful for the chance to be part of it all. To top it off, we took an architectural boat tour of the city. Chicago is stunning from the water, and learning about the city's rich architectural history made me appreciate it even more. This trip helped me network more and meet so many amazing people."
How has this experience changed you?
"When I started, I was nervous to ask a lot of questions. I knew how busy everyone was and didn't want to be disruptive. But I learned that they want to hear what I have to say and things I'm curious about. Also, someone else might wonder the same thing. That made me feel a lot better about asking questions. I also felt more in the loop by knowing more."
How is Naz helping you get the most of the internship?
"I am enrolled in a professional internship course and it gives me assignments to help explore, reflect, network, and prepare for life after I graduate. With videos, readings, and interactive work, I have been able to make great connections with not only my supervisor but other interns and employees in the office."