March 25, 2022
In turn with Jennifer Lambert
Sometimes, our interns of the week tell their stories just brilliantly. Jennifer Lambert, a management information systems major from Raleigh, North Carolina, is a great example, and she has a lot of great insights to share.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a believer in lifelong learning!
I have found that I am most successful when I pursue learning about my passions throughout my professional life. When I graduated high school, I had no desire to go to a university because I didn’t know what I wanted to do, and I didn’t want to go and then waste money. I have always had a love for animals, but I didn’t know if I wanted to be a veterinarian, so I started with some classes toward a Veterinary Assistant Certification. That got me started on a career path that lasted 20 years. I ventured into the education and trial of other career paths but always found my way back to veterinary medicine.
Eventually, I got married, had a child, and of course, got older. With these changes, I decided I wanted a career that paid more, had better hours, and wouldn’t be a challenge to keep up with physically as I got older. I knew from past attempts at other career paths that it would have to align my career with my passions. I have always loved computers and have always had one at home. My dad was a computer programmer, and I fondly remember him creating games for us to play. Not anything impressive for this day and age, but I always thought it was cool. So I started with Computer Programming and quickly found out that I did not enjoy it as much as I thought. However, I still wanted to work with technology and still had to have something online to work full-time. I found the Database Management Administration Program at Wake Tech, which turned out to be much better suited to me. Then when I accomplished that, I set my sites on learning more by transferring to ECU. I see technology as constantly changing, and so it is our responsibility as professionals in technology to learn constantly.
What were your responsibilities during your internship?
Since I am a full-time, year-round intern in tech support, I have had the opportunity to take on many responsibilities. My primary responsibilities have been to support students, instructors, and independent learners who need assistance to access SAS free learning software via email, telephone, and chat. Throughout my time as an intern, I have also had the opportunity to help to train other interns and learn about other products to help support them as well.
How did you apply what you learned in BUSI 1200, BUSI 2200, BUSI 3200, or BUSI 4200 to your internship?
The business classes gave us a better edge for understanding the continuity of business so that we better understand a business as a whole beyond just the technology.
What was the most challenging thing you experienced during your internship, and how did what you learned in the COB help you overcome it?
For me, the biggest challenge was the initial writing of customer emails. The classes here at ECU have helped in my written communication skills with both customers and colleagues within SAS.
How have you applied what you learned in your classwork to this position?
While I still have a lot to learn, the MIS courses have provided me with a great knowledge base that I can expand on in my career. I have also been given and accepted an offer to stay at SAS as a Sr. Associate Technical Support Engineer after graduating in May.
What has this internship taught you about responsibility?
Before being an intern, I had been in leadership roles, so I already had a pretty good handle on being a responsible employee because I knew what I would want and expect from an employee. With my internship, though, I realized that no matter how far down on the totem pole you think you are if you are eager to absorb everything you can learn, embrace changes, and put in the work, people will notice your value. I also think my first manager at my internship gave the best advice of embracing doing what others don’t want to do at work. It allows you to be invaluable, and who knows, you might find it’s something that you love! I love dealing with a customer who is upset and has an issue that I can help them with, and they go from being upset to being grateful for my help. That, to me, is very rewarding!
Why would you recommend a business student take advantage of the Cunanan Center for Professional Success resources?
I would highly recommend using all resources available to help get the internship and/or the job you want!