Hunter Potts gained technical skills in data auditing and data visualization, as well as repairing data integrity.
How did you get your internship?
What got me my internship was networking. I did cold outreach to my uncle and explained that I wanted to learn more about his business. After talking several times on the phone, I asked if the company offered any internship programs and expressed my interest in helping the company out over the summer. After submitting my resume and exchanging a multitude of emails with the company's HR, I received an offer to work at the company over the summer.
What kind of work did you do throughout your internship experience?
Throughout my internship I did several different things that generally revolved around mass data auditing. This was my first time working with data of this volume so it was an eye-opening experience for me. This included reviewing completed budgets, finding and fixing missing data, and closing or canceling files that no longer needed attention. There was quite a bit of information for me to learn, but it began to come together for me quickly.
What new skills did you develop in this internship?
A skill that I enhanced to a new level was my data analysis skills. I became very good at identifying gaps of information and patterns that helped me recognize areas of concern in files that were missing different data points. Also, being in an office space helped me build my interpersonal skills as I was working closely with a group of other employees on-site and we eventually became friends.
What was your favorite or most satisfying part of your internship? Why was this meaningful to you?
I think the most satisfying part about my experience was seeing how I contributed to improving the workload of my coworkers. As I “cleaned” up the data and removed files that no longer needed to be active, I cleared work from all of the consultants and managers' plates. This made me feel as if I was actually making a difference at the company and being of service to my colleagues.
What was one of the bigger projects that you worked on?
A project that I worked on was closer to the end of my internship. After reviewing thousands of files and different consultants' workloads, I began to find the patterns in which they were excelling and underperforming. I then did an in-depth analysis of what might help the employees be more efficient and can make their jobs easier. After doing so I was given the privilege of presenting my insights and feedback to some major heads of the company for the U.S region. This made me feel very proud of the work that I had done.
What advice do you have for other students as they search for their internship?
Something that I would tell other students for the future is to never think that there is only one option or one way to land an internship. Before securing the internship with Altair Global, I had actually chosen a different internship but only did so because I thought I might not have another option. After finding out the true potential that I had in finding a different and more exciting path, I am so glad that I took it and didn’t look back. I think that no matter what you want to do, you can do it as long as you put in the effort and dedication that will help you get there!