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CMU business internships broaden students' horizons
Real-world experience
also can lead to employment
This year the College of Business Administration's job placement rate for its graduating students hit an impressive 90 percent, according to CMU's Career Services data.
"Considering the job market, this is phenomenal," said CBA internship recruiter Robert Petree. "It says we're doing something right and that our students are getting the right kind of education and developing the right kind of relationships with companies."
One way students develop these fruitful relationships is through successful internships. Senior Jennifer Smith, who is majoring in marketing and logistics management, and senior David Tuttle, who is majoring in marketing, purchasing, and logistics management, believe their recent summer internships will give them an enormous advantage in the job market.
Finding a home at John Deere
Smith felt right at home at John Deere during her 13-week internship in Des Moines, Iowa. Not only had she been raised on a family dairy farm that relied on John Deere equipment, but the internship also gave her real-world experience with a prestigious firm.
"It was neat to observe these professionals everyday," Smith said. "They are definitely some of the best in the business."
Smith worked in John Deere's Ag Management Solutions, researching different aspects of new technology products and helping develop marketing plans for them.
"I got to see these products before they were made and to learn about the marketing process," Smith said.
Smith, who feels there is a good chance she'll be hired at John Deere when she graduates, encourages students to be aggressive in their search for the ideal internship opportunity.
"My internship with John Deere was especially rewarding because I believe in the company," Smith said. "So don't be afraid to go out and make contacts."
Meeting the challenge
at GM-Fiat Worldwide Purchasing
Tuttle discovered he loves the competitive atmosphere of a purchasing department while interning in Germany for GM-Fiat Worldwide Purchasing, which is a department of Opel Germany GmbH.
"It was a lot of fun," Tuttle said. "I learned a lot about the business, and I enjoyed finding a personal strategy to make things click every day."
Tuttle, who worked with a variety of divisions and people from all over the world, assisted buyers, dealt with suppliers, discussed products and pricing, and broke down numbers. He gained knowledge about the manufacturing process and got the chance to test-drive a number of cars, including the Opel Speedster.
He also learned an important lesson in cultural differences. He found that, compared to Americans, Europeans can be more reserved.
"It takes time to build a relationship there, which was a little scary at first," Tuttle said. "Overall, my internship opened my eyes to what the business world is really about. In our increasingly global economy, it's important to understand and embrace cultural differences. In the end, that's what will make us successful."
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