Yesterday I met Michael, the Business Developer, and Jenn, the recently-hired Project Manager. I am interested in both of their roles, so I am glad to be working with them. Since Jenn is also new to the company, it is nice that we can learn together. I listened to Michael and Jenn discuss a specific project timeline for Client X using Microsoft Project, and I watched as they put together a PowerPoint presentation to convey a status update today at a conference call. The call with Client X went well, even though a few minor concerns were brought to the company's attention.
After the meeting, Jenn and I moved to the huddle room where she began typing up the minutes. As she explained her thought process to me, I began to understand the perspective that a project manager needs to have when facilitating a meeting. A project manager is more concerned with deliverables, or action items, than with actual procedures. Although understanding a procedure is of great value in building a solid foundation, it is important to stay on top of a project and manage overall tasks to be successful in this career.
One important thing I have learned so far is to not be so afraid of inconveniencing someone that I do not benefit out of an experience. Earlier I tried to be too considerate of my coworkers' busy schedules that I would hesitate to remind them if they had agreed to meet with me or assign a task. But Vijendra explained to me that I need to be more aggressive in order to get the most out of this internship, and I am trying to find a balance between being considerate and pushing for additional responsibilities.
Sheryl Sandberg's book Lean In, which I started reading in May, has begun to have a new meaning for me since I can now see the practical application of her ideas in the workplace.
3. How has your classroom experience prepared you for the internship? What do you wish you had learned prior to the internship?
The skills I learned in AP chemistry have significantly increased my understanding by making me slightly more familiar with concepts and lab procedures. The requirement of keeping a lab notebook to document everything is one idea that does not change from the classroom to the workplace. The concept of integration that I learned in AP calculus has also increased my understanding of data analyzed by the HPLC. Group projects, especially in AOIT classes, have helped me to develop organizational skills and collaboration abilities. The computer applications class I took during my freshman year taught me how to use Excel and Access, software that is important in this field. AOIT networking was also very helpful in making me comfortable with talking to adults, but I would have preferred more of that. I also wish I had been taught how to use Microsoft Project, since it is a useful tool no matter what industry you are in.
After the meeting, Jenn and I moved to the huddle room where she began typing up the minutes. As she explained her thought process to me, I began to understand the perspective that a project manager needs to have when facilitating a meeting. A project manager is more concerned with deliverables, or action items, than with actual procedures. Although understanding a procedure is of great value in building a solid foundation, it is important to stay on top of a project and manage overall tasks to be successful in this career.
Personalizing my cubicle!
One important thing I have learned so far is to not be so afraid of inconveniencing someone that I do not benefit out of an experience. Earlier I tried to be too considerate of my coworkers' busy schedules that I would hesitate to remind them if they had agreed to meet with me or assign a task. But Vijendra explained to me that I need to be more aggressive in order to get the most out of this internship, and I am trying to find a balance between being considerate and pushing for additional responsibilities.
Sheryl Sandberg's book Lean In, which I started reading in May, has begun to have a new meaning for me since I can now see the practical application of her ideas in the workplace.
My last assignment of the day was interesting. Michael gave me the challenge of coming up with several marketing strategies and a list of top pharmaceutical companies whom I could potentially contact through LinkedIn and other communication methods. This was a little difficult at first because unlike most companies that advertise a product to consumers, Tergus is advertising a service to a unique target market: another business.
3. How has your classroom experience prepared you for the internship? What do you wish you had learned prior to the internship?
The skills I learned in AP chemistry have significantly increased my understanding by making me slightly more familiar with concepts and lab procedures. The requirement of keeping a lab notebook to document everything is one idea that does not change from the classroom to the workplace. The concept of integration that I learned in AP calculus has also increased my understanding of data analyzed by the HPLC. Group projects, especially in AOIT classes, have helped me to develop organizational skills and collaboration abilities. The computer applications class I took during my freshman year taught me how to use Excel and Access, software that is important in this field. AOIT networking was also very helpful in making me comfortable with talking to adults, but I would have preferred more of that. I also wish I had been taught how to use Microsoft Project, since it is a useful tool no matter what industry you are in.
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