January 12, 2021
In turn with Tanner Whitesell
In turn is a series that highlights the student interns and internship opportunities found within the College of Business (COB). For more information, contact Melissa Parks at parksr19@ecu.edu.
At the College of Business, we have a business leadership curriculum that every COBer must take. Part of that curriculum is the concept of knowing how to network. Like a great Pirate, senior MIS major Tanner Whitesell took this curriculum to heart. The Greensboro, North Carolina-native said, “I was struggling to find summer employment due to COVID-19 and the downturn of the economy. I reached out to a contact at Matthews Specialty Vehicles (MSV), and they informed me of a summer project they had to help me gain more experience in management information systems.”
What were your responsibilities?
I was responsible for correcting and updating all their methods of manufacturing (MOM) and bill of materials (BOM) to record the company’s manufacturing processes accurately. These MOMs and BOMs were then migrated into a new enterprise resource planning system. This new software is helping the company improve its manufacturing process and evenly distribute resources to the production floor. This software replaced MSV’s outdated database it was currently using. It also eliminated the need for multiple independent systems within the company.
Why did you choose to do an internship?
I chose an internship to gain exposure to business and technology. I learn faster hands-on, and it was very rewarding to apply what I have learned in the COB to my role at MSV.
How did the COB prepare you to be the chosen candidate? The COB career center helped me by reviewing my resume and helping me better my interviewing skills.
What did the internship mean to you?
This internship helped me gain valuable experience in my field.
How are you better prepared for your career with this internship under your belt?
I hope to obtain a job in IT software consulting. This job was a great first step to improving my qualifications to get a job in that field.
Why would you recommend a business student take advantage of an internship opportunity?
It is by far the best learning opportunity I have had here at the COB. It is the best way to grow your skills and professional network and help you in your career.
- Categories:
- career
- Management Information Systems