Do you ever note the brand of a semi-truck trailer on the interstate?
After spending an incredible summer as a finance intern at Wabash, I can't help but look for their products while driving on the road. Throughout my 12-week role, three experiences greatly shaped my internship.
1. The strength of supportiveness:
Whether it was the company speak or the unique challenges of the transportation industry, my first few weeks were an overwhelming flow of information. While I did my best to intake as much as possible, my adaption to the company was only possible due to the support of my manager, Nisar Ahmed, and mentor Payton Duncan. Working with them taught me the value of asking questions, no matter how simple. Without this, I would've missed out on the invaluable mentorship I was fortunate to experience this summer.
2. The depth of diversity:
Organizations are often segmented, making it difficult to collaborate with other disciplines. Fortunately, Wabash's culture placed a huge emphasis on cross-functionality. Over the summer, I had the unique privilege to conduct over 51 one-on-one meetings with professionals ranging from financial analysts to VPs of manufacturing. Wabash's emphasis on creating remarkable, collaborative teams allowed me to gain invaluable advice whether it was on my projects or my professional future. Working in this environment drove home the value of diverse backgrounds and a cross-functional culture.
3. The power of presentation:
One of the primary challenges I faced this summer was telling the story behind my work. When presenting data, I would focus on the results, without diving into the underlying factors and giving a comprehensive overview. Throughout the summer, my manager gave up many hours to teach me how to present information effectively and create a compelling story behind the data I gathered. I'm truly grateful for this lesson, as I experienced firsthand the power an impactful, polished story has on your audience.
This summer built me in ways I would've never imagined. Whether it was learning the business with my team, volunteering with my fellow interns, or attending lunch and learns with senior executives, my rich internship experience wouldn't have been possible without the incredible people at Wabash who poured into me.
I want to give a huge thanks to Kyle Richmann, Laura Killian, and Hannah Mummert for creating this incredible program. Next time you pass a semi-truck on the road, look out for the Wabash logo!
Student at Samford University and Intern at Spencer-SHE
2moThank you! I am so happy to be here!