Hunter Potts returned to Altair Global for a second internship, where he strengthened his data analysis, communication, and problem solving skills while helping improve the efficiency of company operations.
How did you get your internship?
This ended up being my second time as an intern at Altair Global and I was lucky enough to be offered to come back for another internship. Getting to return and have the same summer experience was very important to me as it proves that my past experience there was valued. This time around, I did not have to start from scratch and was much more prepared using my experience and knowledge about the company.
What kind of work did you do at your internship site this time and how was it different from your first internship there?
As far as my second internship with Altair Global is concerned, the biggest part of my duties consisted of auditing and managing numerous files. During the first internship, this kind of work was new to me and I had to invest much time in learning how to audit the files, see what was missing and get acquainted with the company's processes. Having returned for the second summer, I managed to deal with similar tasks much more confidently and independently. At the same time, I learned some new stuff like auditing reports, finishing service orders and communicating more with the consultants. I also continued cleaning the files that were not needed anymore, thus saving some time for other employees. In addition, due to the previous experience, I worked much more effectively since I did not have to waste time studying the basics. This helped me to understand better the significance of my work and ways of its improvement.
What skills did you gain this time around?
One of the greatest ways in which I have grown during my second internship is being more confident in my skills of analyzing information. In the first internship, I learned the skills of identifying the missing information as well as recognizing patterns from the big amount of data. However, in my second internship, I have been able to use my previous skills and identify the issues much quicker as I knew what I was looking for. Also, I became more confident in communication with consultants and asking questions concerning the content of the file that the consultants were using. The next skill I have developed is taking initiative rather than waiting for something new to do. After doing my initial tasks, I became more confident in searching for other areas where I can assist my team members. Moreover, working remotely as well as working in the office helped me to become more confident in managing my time.
What impact did being a return intern have on your professional journey?
I am now able to see just how much I have grown in terms of professionalism from my first summer with Altair Global compared to my second summer. My first internship was my first professional experience and it meant that I was getting familiar with a new environment while figuring out how to handle large amounts of data. Coming back for my second internship gave me an opportunity to witness my growth because things which were difficult to do previously became easier and I became more independent, communicated with employees in a more confident manner and realized how my work influenced the whole group. In addition, I learned that even seemingly insignificant work like fixing a mistake in data or closing an extra file actually saves time for consultants and managers and thus becomes more meaningful than it might have seemed before. Coming back to the company also provided me with confidence that my previous work has created a good impression about me.