When you think of an ideal internship, what comes to mind? Do you think of a sprawling office space in a big city? Maybe you imagine rooms filled with massive whiteboards and colleagues sharing ideas and making moves? Or maybe, you think of an ideal internship as a place where everyone is friends as much as they are colleagues with a fantastic work-life culture?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, then the Boston-based e-commerce marketing automation platform, Klaviyo, may be the place for you. Their summer engineering internship is a dynamic opportunity for aspiring engineers to find their footing in the industry and get a taste of the local tech scene in the Northeast. 

We decided to sit down with a couple of Klaviyo engineers, one of whom started as an intern, to find out what it is that makes the program so special. In our conversations with them, we discovered that the hands-on work, vibrant office space, and incredible culture at Klaviyo helped make their internship experience memorable, and their work today as engineers so satisfying.

Building Real World Applications

Everyone we spoke to at Klaviyo agreed that part of what makes Klaviyo’s engineering internship unique is that interns get to work on things that have real business applications and problem-solutions for the company. Klaviyo’s goal for their interns is that by the end of the summer, they will have a project they worked on where they can really see their contributions taking hold.

Maya Nigrin, a former intern and now senior software engineer, recounted how these very real engineering endeavors and projects made her feel like she was progressing in her career.

Maya went on to share that never felt like she was being treated like an intern or somebody that didn’t know what they were doing. The fact that she was trusted to write code, do a good job, and take on difficult projects gave her the confidence needed to grow herself both as an engineer and early career professional.

A Vibrant Office Space

One of the biggest headlines over the past few years at Klaviyo is without a doubt the arrival of their downtown Boston office. With multiple floors fitted with everything from coffee, beer, and snack bars, a large outdoor balcony/terrace, open format workspaces, and even arcade games, ping pong, and shuffleboard, there is little that the sprawling office space doesn’t offer.

In our conversation with Dmitry Mamyrin, a veteran engineer with tons of experience in the industry, he remarked on how much he enjoyed the layout and overall aesthetic of the space.

Definitely not a bad view to have while writing some code or working on a project!

Keeping a Level Head

For Dmitry Mamyrin, it was the way in which his fellow colleagues dealt with high-intensity situations that made him admire the culture so much. Referring to a problem he and his team were addressing, Dmitry remarked that “everyone was so cool-headed during the event.” It made him realize how much he wanted to be a part of a culture with people who, “think critically and seriously, but don’t freak out and continue the process when out-of-the-ordinary events occur.” From our conversations with Dmitry and Maya we could tell that they are impassioned engineers who work alongside a cohort of similarly passionate colleagues who love what they do and the customers they do it for.

As Klaviyo continues to grow, so too does its summer engineering internship and the opportunity it affords everyone who participates in it. For more information on Klaviyo and internship application details head over to their company profile today!

The post How Two Engineers Found Success with Klaviyo and Their Boston-Based Experience appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

From LEGO® and iPads to some of the most complex engineering products in the world, Hari Annamraju has always been interested in the way things are built. For someone like Hari, it was never enough to stand on the sidelines as a student or an impassioned fan. He wanted to live the engineering life and every aspect of it.

Luckily for Hari, fortune found its way to introduce him to T-Mobile and the company’s revolutionary aspirations in developing and emerging technology. Although he started his career with T-Mobile as an intern, he is now working as an IoT Product Manager Intern spearheading some of the bravest innovations in engineering.

Given Hari’s incredible three years with T-Mobile, we were eager to chat with him about why he chose to pursue the internship, what he’s learned since being there, and what he hopes to do with his experiences.

From chasing what he’s passionate about and getting second-to-none exposure to growing as a leader and making lifelong friends, this is Hari’s story as a T-Mobile intern.

Pursuing a Meaningful Passion

One thing Hari reiterated during our interview is that passion is one of the most important things someone can have. It was clear that he was brimming with plenty himself.

The year was 2020 and the gloom of quarantine was just beginning to break the horizon. But in these dark times, something became illuminated to Hari. He noticed that this was a time when everyone wanted to be connected and people were craving human interaction more than ever. 

When he finally came across T-Mobile, a light went off in his head. What better time to join a company connecting people across the country than now?

With his ambitions in engineering coming to a head with a new-found pursuit of preserving human connection, Hari dove headfirst into T-Mobile’s emerging technologies internship.

Second-to-none Experiences

In the three years that Hari interned at T-Mobile, he got the opportunity to work on projects that directly impacted his fellow employees as well as innovators and developers across the world.

The first project Hari worked on was a development called Employee Connect. The question for the project was posed; how can we transform the way all 75,000 employees at T-Mobile work on a day-to-day basis?

The answer was fearless: create software that helps employees align with corporate goals, mature in their careers, and align with one another to create seamless execution on projects and help employees see direct results that make them feel valued for their work.

From leading scrums to flexing programming muscles that he never knew existed, Hari’s first project as a T-Mobile intern was eye-opening. It dunked him into the deep end of the pool and gave him an experience that welcomed him to the engineering industry with a splash.

Although I was already impressed hearing about the two summers that Hari spent working on Employee Connect, it was when he started talking about a platform that would change the way developers build products that made me sit up in my chair.

Offering both a software development toolkit and a hardware development board, DevEdge empowers developers to create the next generation of IoT products while using the Power of T-Mobile’s network. Whether you’d like to control a fleet of drones or you’re creating a mobile Bike-theft defense system, DevEdge helps designers get it done. And Hari was there to make sure that happened.

But hands-on practical experience wasn’t all that Hari would gain during his time as a T-Mobile intern.

What Does It Mean to Be a Leader?

Another alluring feature of T-Mobile’s internships is that they aren’t just building future engineers, they’re building future leaders. For Hari, not a single summer went by where he didn’t find himself growing as a leader and sharpening his abilities to inspire direction.

His first taste of leadership with T-Mobile was as a scrum master and in his contributions to the Employee Connect project. Some of this work even included him advising his senior colleagues and offering suggestions on workload management.

It was clear that in the three years he spent at T-Mobile, Hari turned himself into someone people could really follow and take note of. In describing what it means to be a leader, Hari said that it’s not necessarily about directing people, but more so influencing their decisions. 

The key phrasing here, to “influence someone’s decision” rather than telling them what to do, is what separates Hari apart from other young leaders. Staying humbled enough to win his peers’ respect but intelligent and adept enough to grab the reins when needed.

While his leadership position may have been chiseled during his time in the UofMagenta program, it was when he worked as an IoT Engineering Intern in Washington state this past summer that his ability to lead really came to life. 

Sitting in a boardroom with four of his fellow interns, looking over a view of the Seattle cityscape, Hari and his team were charged with creating a new product using their DevEdge platform. Their own “startup” as Hari referred to it with a chuckle and a grin.

Who would be there to lead that team, none other than Hari Annamraju?

Friendships, Networking, and an Uplifting Community

When Hari spoke about the friendships he forged during his time at T-Mobile, it was hard not to see the company as a thriving social community as much as it was a national powerhouse in communication and tech.

He reflected upon one of the first colleagues he befriended, someone he would chat with often on topics ranging from highly complex engineering concepts like remote controlling full-sized vehicles and fighting wildfires with 5G to banter about the Oscars.

What was also touching about Hari’s first year at T-Mobile was the farewell he got at the end of the summer. After writing a goodbye/thank you message on the company’s messaging app, Hari was delighted to receive several reactions, comments, and responses from fellow colleagues letting him know that the feeling was very much mutual.

It’s clear that the culture at T-Mobile is all-for-one and one-for-all, if not through Hari’s early experiences than through his recent exploits as well.

This idea was underscored, emphasized, and by all means, punctuated by Hari’s recent interaction with a Director at the 5G Hub at T-Mobile – a division looked at as the company’s Excalibur in the world of interconnectivity.

The conversation seemed like two friends swapping ideas in their neighborhood garage. In reality, they were discussing potentially life-changing consumer IoT applications but it carried on as a very amicable and passion-flavored exchange that two casual acquaintances would have. 

It was then that I realized the kind of prosperous and collaborative environment that T-Mobile has created. An environment in which wins are better celebrated when stacked on top of each other.

It didn’t matter that Hari was an intern or that he was interacting with a Director, the culture at T-Mobile purports the idea that no matter who you are or what your position is, you can work, learn, and grow with whoever you want.

What Hari and T-Mobile also seem to purport time and time again is that anyone can do it, you just need to be passionate enough to take the chance.

So what are you waiting for? Start browsing open roles inside and outside of T-Mobiles thriving engineering space today and take yourself from entry to executive.

The post The IoT Adventures of One T-Mobile Intern from Engineering to Product Management appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Growing up in the shadow of the Boeing JetPlex in Huntsville, Alabama, Travion Crutcher often found himself with his eyes on the sky, contemplating ideas about air travel, or fixed upon the latest toy that he was deconstructing and putting back together. 

Travion always knew that he loved to build things, but it wasn’t until his mother sent him to space camp that he realized his passion could be turned into a pursuit. A pursuit that would involve him finding the answers to the questions he often asked himself regarding the way things worked in the world.

This passion-turned-pursuit would eventually manifest itself into a role at Boeing, the same company he grew up a few miles away from, working on everything from fighter jets to missile defense systems at one of the most cutting-edge aerospace companies in the world. 

As WayUp’s Top Intern of 2022, Travion Crutcher exemplified everything companies look for in an ideal candidate. He applies his passions, he is brave in his decision-making, he tempers wisdom with curiosity, and he exudes confidence with everything he does. 

Recently, we got the chance to speak with Travion regarding his rocket-sized dreams and how they came to fruition during his tenure with Boeing. In our conversation, Travion reveals what it takes to be recognized by your employers and peers on a national level and sheds some insight on the exciting work he took part in the past two summers.

Setting His Sights for the Stars

In addition to the support of his mother, the factors that Travion felt amplified his potential the most are his early involvement in leadership and education-based programs, his organization and execution skills, and his unquenchable curiosity for the unknown.

Travion’s responses to my questions would increasingly shed light on the confidence he had. When I asked him if he had always been this way, he answered in the affirmative and went on to highlight the leadership positions he held from a young age.

Holding down a leadership role in his community as well as immersing himself in the world of engineering, Travion maintained a busy schedule even from a young age. I inquired about how he kept himself on track and he pointed toward his organizational skills.

Although he may not be the first person to use this method, Travion would employ the “aim and shoot” method in which every day started with a list of goals on a whiteboard that would get checked off as tasks get done.

In addition to his commitment to developing everything he learned during his immersions as a young man, Travion’s undying curiosity can also be attributed to propelling him towards success at Boeing and WayUp’s National Intern Competition.

“I was always curious how planes fly or how these big rockets get all the way to space. That’s what pushed me to pursue aerospace and aerospace-related subjects. Growing up my mom got me involved in a lot of stem-related things. I even got involved in a week-long NASA experiment camp where I met people all across the world.”

Travion Crutcher, WayUp Top Intern of 2022

Eventually, when the chance came, Travion knew he had to take his passion and everything he learned to the next level. So he set his sights on the company he grew up knowing so well for their accolades in engineering – Boeing.

Do I Need Clearance For That?

As an intern in both 2021 and 2022, Travion Crutcher’s work with Boeing spanned from fighter jets to missile technology. Although he wasn’t able to tell me much about the work he took part in this past summer, as it relates to top secret advancements in military technology, that only made what he did or didn’t do seem that much cooler. 

What Travion could share with me, however, is how working across different sectors provided him with an advanced understanding of engineering concepts and a deeper appreciation of the things he was developing.

At times, it was hard to believe that I was talking to an intern as the experiences that Travion described to me were in no way minimal. But that is the beauty of companies like Boeing – they empower employees at every level to succeed and achieve greatness in whatever realm makes them most passionate. It was clear that Travion felt this way as he would remark on his appreciation of the company that got him to where he is very often.

Earning a well-deserved vacation, Travion will be spending part of his prize money on an ATV excursion out in Houston where he will be celebrating his anniversary with his girlfriend. If you take anything from Travion Crutcher’s story, know that passion will always fuel your efforts. So if you love something enough, pursue it, and maybe you too can ride off into the Texas sunset with a bag in your hand.

Stay tuned for 2023 as our competition unfolds again and a new queen or king is crowned!

The post Space, Missiles, and Fighter Jets – The Compelling Work of Travion Crutcher, America’s Top Intern of 2022 appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

AeroVironment is a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems that hires talented engineers to create innovative solutions. While its talented technology speaks for itself, AeroVironment also prides itself on being an inclusive workplace where women can thrive in this male-dominated field. 

To learn what it’s like to work for this global robotics company, we spoke to three female engineers about their experience at AeroVironment. 

In the nine months Taylor Ward has been with AeroVironment she’s had the opportunity to work on several projects.

After graduating from Dartmouth College in 2019 with a B.S. in Engineering Taylor started working at AeroVironment as a Mechanical Engineer. On day one Taylor was assigned a mentor who was there to help guide her through training and provide her with any resources she needed along the way. 

In addition to the support she’s received from her mentor, Taylor shared that her team has been helping her get up to speed so she can be an active participant. “It’s been nice to have people to rely on, and also to have the freedom to learn, and make mistakes,” said Taylor. 

Since Taylor was hired during the pandemic she’s had to face unique challenges in her first year at AeroVironment. The first few months of onboarding, she was remote, which means she had to get to know her coworkers virtually. Fortunately, Taylor says that AeroVironment has great collaboration systems that allow her team to efficiently work remotely and in recent months she’s been able to meet some of her co-workers in the lab. 

Despite being new to the team, Taylor feels that her opinions and ideas are valued. Taylor shared that, “AeroVironment is a place where across the board collaboration is encouraged and all people within the ranks of the company are invited.” 

Her advice to female engineering students is not to fear failure, because failure is inevitable and to be open to constructive criticism. “Come in with confidence and know that you shouldn’t back down.” 

Gurleen Sidhu thinks that AeroVironment is a great place to begin and grow your career. 

Gurleen’s M.S. in Computer Engineering from Purdue University provided her with a solid foundation to build on in her role. In her 1.5 years working at AeroVironment, she’s had a lot of support from her mentor and managers. 

“I feel that AeroVironment is a great place to begin and grow your career. They nurture talent and help you master different technical skills,” said Gurleen.  

When asked what her favorite moment has been at the company, Gurleen couldn’t just pick one. She shared that any project where she’s had the opportunity to be a part of from planning stages   to flight testing and design review has been rewarding. 

Gurleen explained that at AeroVironment you have the opportunity to be a part of several different projects and in turn hone in a variety of skills. At AeroVironment, “You don’t have to be an expert to try a new project. All you need is to have the drive and want to grow.”

While working at AeroVironment, Gurleen has had the chance to work with several talented female engineers. She mentioned that her functional manager, who is also a female engineer, is an amazing technical expert, which she finds both inspiring and motivating. 

Kristina Zunino described AeroVironment’s New England office as a start-up feel, and she has had plenty of opportunities to test her designs in the lab.

Shortly after graduating from Wentworth Institute of Technology with a dual degree in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Kristina joined AeroVironment as an Electrical Engineer. Although she chose to go the electrical engineering route, she has found plenty of opportunities to use her mechanical engineering background in her designs. 

Since she started at AeroVironment in May 2020, Kristina has been mentored by a senior engineer. She says he’s been there to help her whenever she has questions and has even collaborated with her on a long-term night vision camera project. 

When asked to describe the company culture, Kristina explained that the New England office has a start-up feel. She said, “We’re about 45-50 people in Wilmington, and in our office, we operate like a small start-up, with the resources of the parent company.” Kristina explained this dichotomy allows employees to experiment in a comfortable environment with ample resources to find the best solutions. 

One of Kristina’s most memorable experiences was when the whole company watched the Mars rover landing on a video conference, because some of their team members had worked on the Mars helicopter that was being transported by the rover. It was a moment that demonstrated the supportive culture at AeroVironment. 

Kristina’s advice to students and recent grads is to, “Get out there and try as many things as you can.” She also encourages students to reach out to engineers in different fields and ask them what type of work they’re doing to see if it might be a good fit for them. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the early-career opportunities at AeroVironment, I encourage you to click here. 

The post What It’s Like To Be A Female Engineer At This Global Robotics Company appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Expedia Group is a global travel platform that is a go-to for everyone’s travel needs. Their brands (Expedia, Hotels.com, Hotwire, Vrbo, and more!) help us book flights, hotels, and save money with their amazing deals. They also have a substantial b2b business catered to providing travel providers with technology solutions. When travel changed globally in 2020 Expedia Group rose to the occasion and innovated new ways to do travel – adding tools for customers and partners from booking flexibility to touchless technology in car rentals that help keep customers safe.

While travel has changed in the past year, much has stayed the same at Expedia Group such as its inclusive work culture, technology innovation, and an emphasis on employee well-being. To learn what it’s like to work at the company powering travel for everyone, everywhere, I spoke to two employees about their experience working at Expedia Group. 

Technology and personal development go hand in hand at Expedia Group.

Tuskegee University Alumna, Andrea Brown has been a Software Development Engineer at Expedia Group for a year and a half. She explained that her B.S. degree in Computer Science was a great foundation for her to thrive in the workforce. 

Andrea’s team focuses on the lodging Applied Programming Interface (API) with Expedia Group partners. This means her team makes navigating the complex processes of booking all aspects of the traveling process user-friendly! This saves customers time and money so they can book their travel needs through Expedia Group’s innovative design. 

After graduating from the University of Washington Bothell in 2019 with a B.S. in Computer Science, Jesus Moreno joined Expedia Group as a Software Development Engineer. When he first started his role he was paired with a senior developer to learn from him.

Learning and growth are a constant in his role, Jesus shared, “I’ve been supported to learn new things and take online courses about new technologies that we might use in the future.” In his day-to-day, Jesus balances team meetings, coding, testing, and developing new features for Expedia Group’s Financial Services team. 

At Expedia Group representation matters.

In her time at Expedia Group Andrea has participated in BEAM, Expedia Group’s black employee resource group. As a member of the BEAM, Andrea has had the opportunity to volunteer with Code2College an organization that helps develop a pipeline of diverse, technical talent for the workforce. 

When asked to give advice to students who experience imposter syndrome, Andrea emphasized that, “The majority of people do not want to see your downfall.” Andrea’s experience as an engineer has been a positive one.

Jesus is a member of LEAD, which connects Latinos at Expedia Group to join mentorship programs and other community efforts. As a member of LEAD Jesus has participated in several community events and volunteer opportunities. Jesus attributes his involvement in LEAD to opening him up to opportunities to contribute to the Seattle community.

Most recently Jesus has been participating in a mentorship program for a scholarship that he received while in university. “Last week I was reading essays for people who applied for the scholarship and grading those essays,” he said. 

Expedia Group’s supportive network helps employees thrive. 

At Expedia Group, there’s an emphasis on employee well-being, especially during the pandemic. Andrea shared, “Expedia Group allows you to balance your work life and your home life. There are hard-working people here, who understand that you need time to take care of yourself.”

Overall Andrea describes the company culture as friendly, personable, and finds that people are approachable and willing to answer any questions you might have. When working in the office, Andrea explained that there are plenty of opportunities to get to know your coworkers through company-wide events and team outings. 

What Jesus likes the most about working at Expedia Group is how much he’s been able to learn and grow. “I think it’s very important to learn new skills for Software Development because things are constantly changing and growing. I’m able to get these skills and hopefully apply them in the future,” said Jesus.  

He described the work culture at Expedia Group as a collaborative and hands-on environment with open dialogue. “The people are hardworking and passionate about what they do,” said Jesus. What he likes most about working at Expedia Group, is the company’s ability to connect people through travel and to expand people’s horizons.

BONUS: Before signing off with Andrea and Jesus I asked them to provide advice for students interested in working at Expedia Group, here’s what they had to say. 

Jesus encourages students to spend more time working on projects outside of the classroom. Have fun creating websites or applying your skills to a passion project, because you can bring those skills with you to the workforce. 

Andrea says, “You don’t have to know everything in the interview, they want people who they can groom. They’re not looking for perfect people.”

If you’re interested in learning more about Expedia and explore current openings, click here.

The post What It’s Like To Work In Tech At A World Renowned Travel Company appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you’re interested in aerospace engineering, getting one of your creations to outer space is probably a lifelong dream of yours. The good news is that you could accomplish that way sooner than you probably think.

While getting something to Mars might seem like a stretch goal during your undergrad years, at AeroVironment—a specialized technology firm that collaborates with organizations like NASA and the US military—this is exactly the kind of project you could work on, even as an intern.

We spoke to two AeroVironment engineers, Sara and Benjamin, who gave us an inside look at this exciting project and the company’s unique culture.

The AeroVironment-NASA Collaboration And The Mars Helicopter

AeroVironment was started by world renowned inventor and engineer, Dr. Paul B. MacCready, Jr. in 1971 as a small engineering firm focused on applying aerodynamic principles to solve important challenges facing the world. He became the first to design and build an aircraft that successfully achieved controlled human-powered flight, giving birth to the company’s reputation of achieving the impossible in aerospace engineering.  In fact, one of AeroVironment’s first projects was the Gossamer Condor, which was operated with pedals—like a bike—and now rests in the National Air and Space Museum.

That spirit of innovation and unorthodox thinking led AeroVironment to become experts on unique technologies, and the leader in tactical unmanned aircraft systems (aka drones) and tactical missile systems. One of these experts is Benjamin, a Senior Aeromechanical Engineer, who works on the Mars Helicopter.

So, what can he tell us about this ambitious project?

“AeroVironment first worked with JPL [Jet Propulsion Lab, a federally funded wing of NASA] on this in the late 1990s, but the technology wasn’t quite there yet,” Benjamin tells us. “Around a decade later in 2013, JPL came back to us and asked us to start working with them on it again. Our goal was to develop a helicopter that could tag along with the next Mars Rover mission to demonstrate that helicopters can be useful in that type of environment.”

Unlike a normal helicopter, which relies on the specific conditions of Earth’s gravity and atmosphere to achieve lift, the Mars Helicopter needs to have huge wings and an extremely light body in order to fly. Plus, it has to be capable of carrying a camera so they can use it to collect images and scientific data.

“The Mars Rover, called Perseverance, launched on July 30, 2020. The helicopter onboard is called Ingenuity,” Benjamin says. “If its mission is successful, we’ll be looking into larger helicopters that could also collect interesting scientific data on other planets.”

That means everyone at AeroVironment—and one day, possibly, you—will have a lot more exciting projects to grapple with. And as another engineer on the team, Sara, tells us, when you’re on the AeroVironment team, your work really is a part of the final product.

Working At AeroVironment Means Taking On A Real Role, Right Away

“Even when I was an intern, I loved the culture of being hands on, getting to try things and test things and see what works,” Sara, an Aeromechanical Engineer, says. “Now that I’m a full-time Aeromechanical Engineer, I still do. I do a little bit of everything: some design work and some building.”

AeroVironment’s project teams, which work on products ranging from commercial and military-grade unmanned aircraft to moonshot technologies like the Mars Helicopter, are comprised of small groups of multifaceted engineers and technologists at all levels of seniority.

“We have the resources of a larger company, but the culture of a smaller one,” Sara explains.

Thanks to this structure, which is fairly unique in the world of aerospace, everyone on the team is able to come up with ideas, test them out, and contribute to the final product that makes it into the field.

“Honestly, I have fun at work. We get to play in the shop. We get to be really innovative and creative with the things we’re building. We’re given a lot of freedom to try things and prototype and I really enjoy that aspect of our programs. I really like that rapid prototyping and rapid R&D. If we have an idea, we can just try it.”

Sara, Aeromechanical Engineer at AeroVironment

Whether you’re working on planetary exploration or innovating in the shop, at AeroVironment, opportunities to make history—and an amazing career—are always close at hand.

Want to start your career in aerospace and technology? Check out open opportunities at AeroVironment on WayUp!

The post This Company Is Helping To Put A Helicopter On Mars—And You Could Help appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Ingredion is one of the biggest companies you’ve never heard of. They’re the global leader in ingredient solutions—which means they turn grains, fruit, vegetables, and other plant-based materials into value-added ingredient solutions for the food, beverage, animal nutrition, brewing and industrial markets. Basically, they make crackers crunchy, yogurt creamy, candy sweet, paper stronger, and baked goods more nutritious.

So even if you haven’t heard of Ingredion, you might’ve snacked on something they’ve created.

From food science to quality control and supply chain to engineering and analytics, there are tons of ways to start your career at Ingredion. We spoke to some of their recent interns to learn more.

1. Rahul Started His Business Analytics Career Running

As someone who studies business and analytics in school, Rahul was looking for a role that would let him use analysis to make an immediate impact on a business. However, given how complex a field business intelligence is, he also needed mentorship from experts active in the field. When he heard about the Ingredion role, he found the perfect combination.

What He Did: “I was a sales and operations intern on the supply chain and analytics team. We used analytics to enhance efficiency in the supply chain, saving the business money and increasing productivity. I’ve learned so much throughout these two months, gotten a lot of good advice, and worked on projects that I’m proud of.”

How Ingredion Helped Him Grow: “I learned a lot here this summer, and it wasn’t restricted to one means of learning. With the remote situation, I thought it would be harder to grow and make connections, but that wasn’t the case. I learned how to use new business and data analytics programs, such as PowerBI, through Ingredion’s online Learning & Development course catalog. You also have a really helpful mentor. Plus, you can always schedule calls with anybody on your team or at the company. Everyone is so helpful and willing to share ideas.”

Favorite Project: “It’s this model called Sentiment Analysis or emotional artificial intelligence. I worked on a system that allows you to automatically input customer responses and get an understanding of how the customer is feeling. You input customer feedback, and it actually returns a score that reflects the sentiment.”

2. Zion Became A Top Contributor At His First Internship

Zion is an industrial engineering student about to go into his senior year. For his first internship, he wanted to find a company that wouldn’t just let him practice and learn his craft, but teach him how to best navigate the working world. Ingredion’s culture—which combines learning opportunities with real work experience—was the perfect place for him.

What He Did: “As a Continuous Improvement Intern, I worked on projects that helped us identify problems and improve our production process. I worked with various parts of the production process to enhance key performance indicator (KPI) reporting and improve efficiency. This is the first internship I’ve ever had, so I really came in with a clean slate, no expectations, just ready to deliver however possible.”

How Ingredion Helped Him Grow: “It’s a combination of mentorship and instruction. Ingredion gave me a lot of guidance on how to maneuver and navigate the company. My managers gave me a lot of tools to understand continuous improvement and industrial engineering in general. I even became a Six Sigma White Belt, which is really useful in my industry.”

Favorite Project: “One of my projects was creating a system to identify ‘bad actors,’ which are basically pieces of machinery that cause production problems. By the end of my internship, I hope to have a system set up so my coworker can just input data and find out whether a piece of equipment is a bad actor. I was also nominated for the WayUp Top 100 Interns list, and my coworkers at Ingredion have been so supportive, voting for me over 1,600 times already.”

3. Kiana Had Her Best Internship Yet—Even Amid A Pandemic

Kiana was worried about the remote internship experience. She knew first-hand how hard it could be to make connections as an intern and get valuable work experience. When she arrived at Ingredion, the team gave her exactly what she was looking for: safe, in-person experiences, mentoring and the ability to make connections across the company.

What She Did: “As a Quality Intern, I worked on various impactful projects. I was tasked with finding a new piece of equipment for the lab and a new software system to replace an outdated one. I also worked closely with the Quality Vendor Analyst to monitor and update testing requirements on products we import. I never felt that I was missing out on the full internship experience, even on the days I was working from home.”

How Ingredion Helped Her Grow: “I was provided a mentor on the first day of my internship. The members of the Quality team I worked with were also all extremely helpful and very willing to teach me. They always answered my questions and showed me the workflow of the lab. We also had a final capstone presentation which allowed us to sum up the projects we worked on in front of coworkers, supervisors, and leadership. This presentation allowed us to shine in front of leadership and show them the contributions we made to the company.”

Favorite Part Of The Program: “Despite the challenges that this pandemic has created for everyone across the globe, Ingredion has not let it stop them. Ingredion provided me with the best internship experience I’ve ever had. The HR team has consistently kept me in contact with all the other interns, planning fun virtual activities such as music trivia events, or providing opportunities for us to connect with leadership, such as with our ‘Lessons with Leaders’ meetings.”

4. Taylor: Safely Working In The Lab—And Seeing Teamwork In Action

2020 was Taylor’s third summer interning with Ingredion. With many internships being canceled, Taylor wanted nothing more than this experience to continue, but she was worried about how it would be handled during a pandemic. She didn’t want to take a backseat in the research and innovation OR miss out on the learning experience of teamwork—and Ingredion’s internship program helped her safely stay in the action.

What She Did: “I was always able to safely complete my lab work. Before walking into the main office, you get your temperature checked and receive a new mask daily. When I arrived, I began training, and the importance of my projects was explained to me. Because my projects were heavily lab-based, I was in the office four to five times a week. After training, I began my project independently, but there was never a time where I found myself not able to ask for help. Multiple team members checked in on my progress and made sure I was doing well throughout the summer.”

How Ingredion Helped Her Grow: “At Ingredion, there is a Business Resource Group called the Network of Early Talent (NExT) , which supports the early talent community and helps us learn and grow professionally. This summer, the group piloted an Intern Buddy Program, where each intern at the site was paired with an Ingredion employee, so we’d have a friendly connection to learn from. I learned some key skills from my buddy. My boss also set up training with other experts. They showed me how to utilize the necessary equipment and gave me great advice.”

Favorite Project: “Members on different teams, other than my own, gave me training on different equipment and shared old data and useful tips. Gathering all the information given to me from the many teams I interacted with, is what ultimately allowed me to complete my projects and be successful.”

5. Liam Started His Process Engineering Career With Great Advice—And Hands-On Experience

As a future Process Engineer, Liam needed to apply what he’d been learning in school AND learn from experts in the field. Getting floor experience during a pandemic was going to be a challenge, but—you might be picking up on a theme here—Ingredion was committed to getting him what he needed.

What He Did: “I work in process engineering, so my team must work closely with operations and maintenance. For my projects specifically, that included coordinating with operations management to find when events would occur. Also, I would spend a lot of time on the plant floor working alongside operators to gain insight into what the process looks like from their perspective.”

How Ingredion Helped Him Grow: “I learned through a combination of my own curiosity and being surrounded by good people. My manager, Jenny, filled that mentor role for me. She was indispensable in providing specific insights on projects and strong advice in general. Meghan, our internship program manager, also provided fantastic support to the intern class by providing us with connections throughout the company. Every week, she put together a program she called ‘Lessons from Leaders,’ where we heard great advice from the company’s leadership.”

Favorite Project: “I’m proud of the improvements I made to the changeover process of one our machines at one of our manufacturing centers. These changes can save the company well over 100 hours of downtime per year. They make the operators’ job a little easier because I provided the necessary tools to complete parts of the process. I’m also proud of the connections I made through this internship. I’ve met many great people who have followed very different career paths. And I’m lucky that they can help me make the right decisions when I am paving my own career path.”

To Start Your Career Right, Start At Ingredion

No matter what the circumstances are, Ingredion gives their interns the experience and knowledge they’ll need to compete in a tough job market.

Check out open opportunities for Summer 2021 and beyond at Ingredion on WayUp!

The post 5 Ways To Start Your Career At This Multibillion-Dollar Food Ingredients Company appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Field Engineers design and deploy the networks and technologies that make things happen. And when it comes to T-Mobile—a wireless leader that’s spent the past decade totally disrupting the industry—making things happen can mean some pretty amazing stuff.

To get a better look at this less-understood engineering specialty—and life at a leading tech company—we spoke to Terry, a Senior Manager in field engineering at T-Mobile.

Here’s what he told us.

1. T-Mobile Wants To See You Succeed—And Do It On Your Own Terms

What makes T-Mobile different? Well, aside from their game-changing no-contract, no-hidden-fee wireless plans, Terry says it’s the way they approach success. It’s not just what’s good for the company. It’s what good for their people, too.

T-Mobile will work with you to accomplish your professional goals, even if that means going off the beaten path.

2. T-Mobile Is Going To Invest In You, Seriously

How does T-Mobile help you accomplish your goals? They invest in you through education, new opportunities, and training.

That’s actually one of the things that Terry has enjoyed most about his time at T-Mobile. As a manager, he’s seen countless employees take advantage of T-Mobile’s training programs and generous reimbursements for outside education. Not only does this make the organization stronger, Terry says, but it gives him a sense of pride to know that he’s helping his team accomplish their dreams.

“It’s actually one of the best programs I’ve heard of in the industry,” Terry says. “We’ll pay for schooling up to $5,200 a year. We have a number of people who are engineers going in to get their MBAs. That helps them become better engineers, because they understand the technology part of it, but it’s still a business, so understanding that side of it leads to better decisions on the technology side.”

In fact, Terry’s wife—who also works for T-Mobile—just finished her MBA. And, he says, she didn’t have to pay a cent out of pocket.

3. You’ll Become An Expert On Emerging Technologies—Like 5G

But it’s not just the formal education that helps people at T-Mobile grow.

They’re leading the charge to 5G. And that means everyone on the team is learning quickly about the technology that will come to shape the next wave of innovation.

“A year ago, none of us really knew about 5G or the technology behind it. We didn’t quite understand the capabilities of it,” Terry says. “As we’ve progressed through this year, we’ve all become really good at building, managing, and optimizing 5G networks.”

5G networks will allow for a new type of hyperconnectivity that can enable long-sought-after breakthroughs like fully autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and seamless communication. As a Field Engineer at T-Mobile, you’ll work directly with the implementation and design of the 5G networks that’ll make all of these breakthroughs possible.

This is great news for your career, because you’ll become an expert on one of the most important technologies of the next few decades.

4. You’ll Never Get Bored

You’ll never get bored as a Field Engineer because, according to Terry, you’re always tackling something new.

“It’s not like you sit in a cube and do a bunch of math. It’s really about communication. It’s really about consulting with your peers and with your teams. It’s about making the best decision possible for the network and the customers,” he explains.

Field engineers are the ones actually designing and implementing new networks, technologies, and capabilities for T-Mobile. There are new challenges and constraints posed by every project, and you’re constantly working with the latest technology. This also means field engineers can go a bunch of different directions professionally.

“One quote we have up on the wall is, ‘Wow, I didn’t learn this in school.’ And we take a sense of pride in that. It’s not just about using what you learned in school. If it was just about that, then this would be a boring job,” he says. “You’re learning something every day, and it keeps us motivated and entertained and on the cutting edge of what we’re hoping to deploy.”

5. They Want Work To Be Your Happy Place

All of these elements of the T-Mobile culture, Terry explains, are just part of the company’s commitment to making work a positive experience.

Terry’s team—and many others at T-Mobile—find success by learning from each other, counting on each other’s talents, and supporting each other personally. The environment at T-Mobile is just different, Terry explains.

“This is a family. It really is. I know people say that and it’s cliché,” he says. “But we depend on each other. The whole idea is to make this a happy place to work, and I feel like we’ve done a good job of that.”

Want to join the field engineering family? Check out open opportunities at T-Mobile on WayUp!

The post 5 Things I Love About Being A Field Engineer At T-Mobile appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Justin studied accounting and technology management, but he wasn’t interested in working for just any business. He wanted to make an impact on things that really matter in the world. That’s why, when he found Textron—a leading manufacturer of things that “fly, hover, zoom, and launch”—he was sure that he had found a match.

What he found when he joined their Finance Leadership Development Program was that there was far more to the company than he could’ve imagined, and that his career—like Textron’s creations—truly could go anywhere.

Making Things That Move People, Protect Soldiers, And Power Industries

Justin wanted to make a difference in the world, and joining Textron’s rotational Finance Leadership Development Program was an opportunity to do that in a bunch of different ways. It was also an opportunity to live in different places and learn from a variety of industry leaders.

He started with Textron Aviation in Wichita, KS. The company is responsible for a range of incredible aircraft from sleek private jets to critical training aircraft for the military. In his next rotation at the company, he went to work for Bell in the Dallas/Fort Worth region of Texas. They’re the company responsible for building the first helicopter to be rated by a civilian aviation authority, and a ton of other incredible innovations since then.

In his current role, Justin works in Maryland for Textron Systems—a branch of the company that focuses on vehicles, weapons systems, and support technology for government entities like the military and emergency services. His current focus is ongoing project finance for an unmanned military program called the Shadow^® Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System.

No matter what the product was, though, Justin found there was a unified culture in at least one way across these different business units: the company’s commitment to innovation for the end user. And that’s something he’s really proud of.

“When it comes to Textron Systems, we’re trying to innovate and build new products that align with the customer’s needs,” Justin explains. “And that customer can be the military.”

For example, Justin tells us, “We’re working on a new weapon that’s going to replace the gun that’s been used since the Vietnam era. We’re in the list of top three companies, and within two or three years, we’ll be able to say whether our NGSW will be selected. That’s really exciting.”

Diverse Projects, Diverse Experience

It wasn’t just a diverse array of products Justin got to work on in his Leadership Development Program. He was also exposed to a variety of functions and types of corporate finance. As the name suggests, programs like this prepare people for careers in senior leadership by accelerating the rate at which they learn about the breadth of the business and how it works.

He now works in a project management role, which deals heavily with compliance, record-keeping, and demonstrating continued value. However, when he started his LDP, he was in an operational finance role, dealing directly with the finance of the manufacturing of the products themselves.

“It was good for me to start as operational finance, because I got to touch the actual stuff, see the products, and see what the numbers actually mean,” he explains.

And even for people who aren’t in a Leadership Development Program, Justin tells us, this type of broad exposure is commonplace at Textron.

“Textron recommends for you to rotate around. Don’t stay in one role and get a sense of the whole business,” he says. “Each role you learn something new and you get to use that experience to do better in your next role. And the managers really support that.”

This was not only edifying, but freeing for Justin. He felt empowered to learn about a bunch of different sectors.

“You’re never stuck to one manufacturing industry. You can do planes, helicopters, and even military tech,” he says. “You get to meet a lot of people and learn a lot, which is great for your career in the long run.”

Want to see your own career fly, hover, zoom, and launch? Check out open opportunities at Textron on WayUp!

The post Why I Started My Career At A Company That Makes Things That “Fly, Hover, Zoom, And Launch” appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Sierra Nevada Corporation is a lot of things. One of the largest female-owned defense contractors in the US? Yes. An aerospace leader playing a key role in the next phase of NASA’s missions to the International Space Station with their Dream Chaser^® spacecraft? Absolutely. But what you might not know about SNC is that they’re also one of the best places to start your career in the high-stakes aerospace and defense industry.

Here’s a quick look at some of the paths they offer college students and new grads with internships and entry-level roles.

1. Computer Science and Information Technology

While it might feel like we all need computers to survive, that sentiment is actually true for people in high-stakes situations, like navigating outer space or the cockpit of a fighter jet. Information technology and computer science are more critical than ever in these exacting environments, and that’s why SNC offers superb training programs, high-impact internships and fulfilling careers to people who have studied software engineering, product support, and information technology.

2. Engineering

If computers are the brain of SNC’s technology, then engineers are the ones creating the body. While engineers are obviously in demand at SNC, the company offers something unique to their structural, mechanical, and electrical engineers: The ability to work on a nimble, elite team alongside successful industry veterans.

And when SNC talks about working alongside industry pros, they’re not kidding. Your mentor might be an astronaut or a former military commander.

3. Business

SNC is in the business of exploring the final frontier and securing our nation’s safety, but they’re also a business. And businesses require professionals who are skilled in areas like operations, finance, and supply chain. Starting your technology business career with SNC is an opportunity to contribute to some of the most important goals in the world—and learn how to keep a successful, multibillion-dollar company running.

4. Emerging Technologies

If you’re an engineer, coder, or data scientist interested in the technology that defines today’s world, and also the technology which will define tomorrow’s world, then emerging technologies is the career path for you.

SNC is one of the best places to not only learn about and contribute to the advancement of new technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and next-generation cyber security, but also to apply these technologies immediately to the most pressing problems in the field.

How do you improve the unmanned vehicles of the future? How do you secure cyber-borders and confidential information? How do you predict machine failure before it happens? When you work on emerging technologies at SNC, you could solve these questions—and more.

Whether it’s the importance of the work or the “sky’s-the-limit” approach to personal development that you’re attracted to, SNC is the perfect place to start your career in aerospace and defense.

Ready for takeoff? Check out open opportunities at Sierra Nevada Corporation on WayUp!

The post 4 Ways To Start Your Career In Aerospace And Defense At A Multi-Billion Dollar Company appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Growing up, Kate always loved math and computers. So, when it came to finding a career, software engineering was a perfect fit. After graduating with a degree in Computer Science from one of the best engineering schools in the world, her passions ended up carrying her pretty far.

Nowadays, Kate is a Senior Vice President at FactSet, one the world’s largest FinTech firms and home to thousands of the best engineers, product managers, and tech professionals. As a tech leader at the company, Kate manages and provides guidance to plenty of up-and-coming engineers.

We sat down with her to tap into some of her wisdom about how to succeed in tech—and at innovative companies like FactSet in general. Here’s what she told us.

1. Learn To Solve Problems In Your Own Way

No matter how much you learn in school, a ton of essential engineering skills are learned on the job. That’s why it’s so important to find a place that gives you challenging work—and the freedom to approach it independently.

“Once I became an engineer at FactSet, my favorite thing about my job was the freedom and empowerment I was given to solve problems in my own creative ways,” Kate tells us.

While their business goals were usually the same, Kate was able to approach each client and engagement with her own creative way of thinking.

“I was told what our clients needed, and what we should build,” Kate says. “But how to architect, design, and implement a fast, efficient, reliable application was up to me. This freedom, empowerment, and encouragement is what helped me most as I grew throughout my career.”

2. Find Somewhere That Celebrates Your Successes

It wasn’t just that FactSet gave Kate challenges, it was that they recognized when she overcame them, too.

“I was given the space to innovate, and as I gained the trust of those around me, I was given the responsibility to design more complex applications, manage larger projects, and then lead larger teams,” Kate explains.

Growth requires both new skills and new experiences—and the only way to get the latter is to be given new opportunities. Or, in Kate’s case, to earn them.

“FactSet celebrated my successes and helped me grow by increasing my level of scope and impact in an incremental way that gave me the confidence to be successful in each new challenge and role in my career,” she says.

3. Cultivate Creativity, Aim For Innovation

Don’t be afraid to look for different ways of sparking your creativity. When it’s your job to innovate, you have to make sure you’re thinking outside the box. That’s why Kate enjoys the little challenges and events that FactSet sets up to help its employees cultivate creativity.

One such example is their annual 48-hour, no-holds-barred hackathon.

“While I love my current role, I do miss rolling up my sleeves and hacking something together,” Kate says. “Making an idea come to life through code is a real rush.  This is why I love the FactSet Hackathon.”

Teams of FactSet employees, on both the tech and business sides, come together to make something extraordinary. It doesn’t need to be FactSet or even finance related, either. Despite that, Kate couldn’t resist working on one concept that was pretty Factset-friendly.

“My project last year was to integrate FactSet with Salesforce in a way that the two applications could pass data back and forth and create a seamless workflow for our clients, who are often trying to juggle many different systems and applications all at once,” Kate explains. 

“About a year or so later, we’ve actually productionized the concept, and it’s now going live to our clients,” she says.

4. Don’t Forget To Breathe

Success is not a sprint (even though there are plenty of sprints along the way). And if you’re taking a long-term view on success, Kate emphasizes the importance of finding a healthy work-life balance.

“When I meet prospective candidates for FactSet, I make sure to let everyone know that we are a software company first and foremost,” Kate says.

Even though they’re in the world of finance, FactSet takes its lead from progressive tech company cultures. FactSet offers four weeks of paid time off to first-year employees (and that number only grows with time) and a ton of other health programs and benefits to help you stay mentally and physically fit.

“Our vibe and culture is relaxed and collaborative–different from what you might picture when you think of ‘Wall Street,’” Kate says. “Our people set us apart, and those people have lives, hobbies, families, and a good understanding of the importance of work-life balance!”

This employee-focused culture has attracted a wide array of talent, which is good, Kate says, for more reasons than the obvious.

“Innovation in tech hinges on diversity of ideas, and those ideas come from diverse individuals,” she tells us. “If you like solving problems, working with others, building new solutions, blazing the trail, then tech and FactSet are for you.”

Want to put Kate’s wisdom to work? Check out open opportunities at FactSet on WayUp!

The post 4 Tips On Moving Up In Tech—From An Engineer Who’s Made A Huge Impact At Her Company appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Finding a job that combines impact with innovation isn’t easy, but that’s what Danielle managed to do when she became the Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability at L’Oréal USA.

Danielle has spent her career helping companies make sustainability a priority. She’s worked for fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment companies in the past, but she’s never had a better opportunity to make a difference than at L’Oréal. That’s probably because the company is the world leader in beauty and personal care, and between their 30+ brands, they’re also at the forefront of innovative sustainability practices.

We spoke to Danielle to get an inside look at some of the most exciting sustainability innovations under way at L’Oréal. Here’s what she told us.

1. Carbon-Neutral Manufacturing Powered By Renewable Energy

For any company, manufacturing physical products is an energy-intensive process, which can take a serious toll on the environment. In fact, the industrial production sector is responsible for 22 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the US. That’s why L’Oréal found a different way to power their US factories: renewable energy.

As a part of their effort to achieve carbon-neutral status at their 21 US manufacturing sites in 2019, L’Oréal pre-purchased 15 years worth of renewable natural gas. They also take advantage of a variety of other renewable energy sources like wind power, landfill gas, and solar energy.

Thanks to these efforts, Danielle says, “L’Oréal manufacturing will be running on 100% renewable energy.”

2. Sustainable Packaging Innovations, Like This One

SEED Phytonutrients is one of L’Oréal’s most innovative new brands. Not only does the brand’s line of personal care products utilize a unique cold pressed sunflower and camelina seed oil formula—both of which are sourced from local, organic farms—they’re also packaged in 100 percent recyclable materials.

Using materials like chalk, clay, and post-consumer paper, the team at SEED Phytonutrients created a bottle that is not only natural and recyclable, but beautiful. You can even keep the eco-friendly bottles in the shower; they’re that durable.

But for L’Oréal, SEED was just another step in a long line of environmental accomplishments.

3. They’re Going “Cradle To Cradle” With SPOT

Cradle to Cradle is an organization that certifies sustainably, ethically, and responsibly manufactured products. They ensure that products are made with clean materials, minimal carbon footprint, and can be recycled back into the economy. Essentially, they’re recognizing companies creating the production processes of the future.

And for L’Oréal, Danielle tells us, Cradle to Cradle’s superb standards are an important benchmark—which is why they created SPOT (the Sustainable Product Optimization Tool)—a sustainability analysis tool developed in partnership with Quantis and EY.

“The C2C certification mirrors our philosophy on developing products from concept to be sustainable,” Danielle says. “SPOT helps us evaluate our products in categories like formula, packaging, environment, and social impact.”

“Last year we launched five skincare products for Garnier Skin Active with the Cradle to Cradle certification,” Danielle tells us. “It was the largest certification of a mass skincare brand at that time. And we have a goal that 100% of our new and renovated products will have an environmental or social improvement by the end of next year.”

Making The Personal Powerful

“I joined L’Oreal because of the enormous opportunities to connect the dots for people who use these products all the time,” Danielle says. “Everyday people can move toward better environmental and social practices and make that come to life with the products that they know and love.”

Being able to transform L’Oréal’s iconic line of products was particularly powerful for Danielle, who’s been a life-long customer of the company.

“Maybelline Great Lash Mascara is something I’ve used since I was 14 years old, and I didn’t realize until I got here that that mascara was made in a facility that’s powered on solar energy,” Danielle says.

“It’s amazing that within our portfolio we have some of the most iconic products in the beauty and personal care space,” Danielle says. “And that they can also be symbols to represent positive impacts on the environment and mitigating climate change, to me, is really powerful.”

It turns out you can have a career that combines impact with innovation—and you can do it at L’Oréal.

Ready to write your own sustainability story at a company that cares? Check out open opportunities at L’Oréal on WayUp!

The post 3 Sustainability Innovations By L’Oréal That Are Making A Positive Environmental Impact appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

WayUp presents: Exploring Careers in STEM and Innovation

What does it mean to work in STEM? If you’re in college right now or keeping an eye on media, it seems like all anyone can talk about is working for a startup or a Silicon Valley tech giant. But these aren’t your only options.

Innovation, analysis, and a logical approach to problem solving (hallmarks of the STEM skill set) are useful at all types of companies and in a ton of different roles. Skincare and beauty companies need scientists and engineers. Banks need programmers and data scientists. Every industry is being disrupted by STEM innovations, and there are so many different ways to be a part of it.

For our most recent Office Hours—WayUp’s signature, totally FREE panel event—we gathered some of the brightest minds in some of the most unexpected and interesting roles in STEM to tell you how to build your dream career.

NYC college students were invited to attend the WayUp X L’Oréal USA event at our Flatiron district headquarters in NYC. Check out the livestream now to see what surprising insights, funny-yet-inspiring stories, and more these guests shared with an audience of college students just like you.

The Speakers:

The post Exploring Unexpected Careers in STEM and Innovation With WayUp Office Hours appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Internships have a reputation for being, well, “not real jobs.”

While they’re not the same as full-time jobs, they can still be extremely valuable to you as a professional and to the company that hires you. Some companies hire smart, work their interns smarter, and ultimately get amazing results.

One such company is Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), a private technology firm that works on everything from spaceships to satellites. SNC interns work on incredible, high-stakes projects that affect not only the future of our species but also the safety of military personnel and civilians.

1. Exploration Spacecraft

SNC has built thousands of devices for hundreds of spacecraft – including dozens of NASA missions.  Their products have been to six planets, the Sun, comets, asteroids and Pluto too (we love you Pluto!).  They build technical mechanisms that do everything from launching spacecraft off rockets, to keeping spacecraft at the right temperature, to making sure that communications antenna and solar arrays are pointed in the right direction.  Small parts go a long way in making sure that one-of-a-kind programs are a success.

2. Electronic Warfare Systems

This part of the SNC business is high-tech gear that soldiers wear on the front lines.

One example of a life-saving electronic warfare system (EWS) is their radio-controlled improvised explosive device (RCIED) jammer. This blocks the radio signals that detonate IEDs.

SNC technology poses the best solution to this threat. SNC jammers can go everywhere, from the backs of soldiers on portable mounts to the tops of Humvees. SNC also builds electronic systems that are used offensively, by jamming enemy communications and preventing their weapons from working.

If you’re an up-and-coming systems engineer or programmer in the making, this is the type of project you could contribute to at SNC. How’s that for a high-impact internship?

3. Unmanned Systems (Yes, We’re Talking UAVs)

There’s no better way to keep people safe than to keep them out of combat zones. That’s exactly what SNC strives to accomplish with remote-controlled and autonomous aircraft systems. Whether they’re used for combat, surveillance or disaster recovery, UAV technology allows humans to remotely control machines that can take the heat for them.

Plus, as unmanned vehicles and machines develop, their uses will skyrocket. In our near future, unmanned systems could be saving lives in places other than war zones—like active forest fire locations or remote towns in need of medical supplies. You could help make that happen, as an SNC intern.

4. Fighting Cyber Terrorism

While it’s been making regular appearances on the silver screen for years, cyber terrorism just recently became one of the primary ways enemy nations, rogue groups, and other dangerous people steal, attack and sabotage.

Hackers and cyber criminals aren’t the only ones putting in the work. At companies like SNC, cyber security systems are just as important as physical ones.

Whether it’s hardware like SNC’s Binary Armor^® SCADA solutions, which provide a real-time network guard for information systems, or something more subtle, SNC leads the pack in one of the most dire races against technology.

5. Oh, Yeah, And An Actual Spaceship

The Dream Chaser^® spacecraft is SNC’s solution for next-generation space travel. Reminiscent of the iconic Space Shuttle in its shape but much smaller in size, the Dream Chaser is the spacecraft we’ve always imagined as kids.

Originally developed for a NASA program, and now in the works for potential commercial spaceflights, the Dream Chaser is one of SNC’s most exciting ventures. Whether it’s resupplying the International Space Station with critical food, supplies and science experiments, launching multiple smaller satellites into orbit, or conducting its own science experiments, Dream Chaser has plenty of potential – for customers around the world!

Credit: Sierra Nevada Corporation

6. Figuring Out Deep Space Travel

Actually, this might be SNC’s most exciting project. After all, what’s cooler than a spaceship built for low-Earth orbit? How about a spacecraft built for the depths of outer space? More specifically, how about a deep space human habitat module that could go to the Moon and beyond?

Well, that’s what SNC has been asked to design and prototype for NASA as a part of their NextSTEP-2 program to develop NASA’s manned deep space capabilities. When it comes to realizing the future, missions beyond Earth are really the project.

And it makes sense that SNC would be interested in beyond-Earth projects, too. Their technology has already been to five other planets, the Sun, the Moon, comets, asteroids and Pluto!

Whatever Your Dream Engineering Project Is, Find It at SNC

This is just a handful of some of the interesting, impactful projects that people at SNC work on daily. They also make navigation systems for high-speed aircraft, build helicopter rotors, invent anti-drone defense, create patient-monitoring gear for mid-battle medical scenarios, and so much more.

If you’re talking about the difference between life and death in a high-risk situation, you can bet SNC is involved.

If you want a career with a tangible impact, check out more fun facts, videos, and amazing job and internship opportunities from SNC on WayUp right now!

The post Spaceships, Exploration Spacecraft And More: 6 Things You Won’t Believe You Can Work On As An Intern For This Company appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When it comes to landing a specialized job like a surgeon or a rocket scientist, it can feel like there’s an impassable gap between the time you enter college and the time you actually start solving real problems.

But, that gap isn’t bridged by classes and studying alone.

Hands-on experience can mean all the difference in the world for up-and-coming innovators—especially in the complex world of aerospace and aviation.

Luckily Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), one of the largest private aerospace and aviation firms, looks for people with raw talent, a drive to learn, and a “commitment to a cause” for its internships and entry-level positions. That means SNC could be a perfect “in” to an exciting job in engineering and tech.

It’s About the Person, Not Just the Resume

SNC is a company that is—above all—innovative. After all, no one wants to buy a rocket ship that isn’t top of the line. And no government wants to buy critical defense technology from a company that doesn’t lead the industry.

SNC’s mission demands excellence. So that’s what SNC recruiters look for.

If you’re at the top of your class, the head of your club, or the lead on your research project, it doesn’t necessarily matter if you know rocket fuel thermodynamics (or something like that). Demonstrating excellence is hard, but it’s a lot more doable than demonstrating experience with jet engines or deep-space human habitats.

It makes sense that a company this far ahead of the present would look for raw talent and not just experience.

Mechanical Engineer Melodie Seto says recent grads don’t need to worry about having a perfect resume. “So much of what you learn as an engineer happens on the job, so you shouldn’t worry about having the exact right technical skills as a recent grad.”

How to Get Hired at a Real Live Space Company

So, how do you stand out to SNC? Demonstrate excellence in a way that embodies the company’s core values: integrity, innovation, agility, passion, patriotism, and perseverance.

For example, if you’re in the ROTC program while simultaneously excelling in a high-stress academic discipline, you could handily demonstrate both commitment to country and persevering in the face of a challenge.

Or, perhaps you lead your school’s environmental policy club, while learning programming on the side. This would show your recruiter that you have a passion for causes and continuously learning about subjects outside your major.

Innovation requires quickly and thoroughly learning new topics, while having the aptitude to expand on those concepts.

SNC’s mentorship program pairs you with someone who was once in your shoes, and wants to take you to the next level. Tackling real projects under the tutelage of an industry veteran will allow you to blossom into the rocket scientist or spaceship systems engineer you’ve always dreamed of becoming.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to do incredible work in challenging fields (that produce breathtaking results like human spaceflight), then check out some fun facts, videos, and amazing opportunities from SNC on WayUp right now!

The post Don’t Consider Yourself A Tech Expert (Yet)? This Aerospace & Aviation Company Still Wants You appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Whether it’s in movies or the news, space is all over the place. At this point, very few people can imagine a (bright) future for our species that doesn’t involve space travel or interplanetary colonization. But for all the people talking about space, some of the most knowledgeable on the topic actually work behind-the-scenes.

Two of those knowledgeable people are former NASA astronauts and current aerospace leaders at Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC): Steve Lindsey and Lee Archambault.

The former astronauts have years of spaceflight, engineering, and flying experience they bring to new SNC projects, like the Dream Chaser^® spacecraft and the company’s lunar gateway prototype.

Meet SNC And Their Astronaut Dream Team

SNC is behind numerous exciting innovations in aerospace and defense. Its innovations can protect people in warzones by jamming the signals of radio-controlled IEDs (improvised explosive devices), AND help operate the instrument arms on the Mars rovers. SNC makes high-stakes tech that powers critical national defense operations and human exploration of the final frontier. Astronauts, soldiers and medics rely on the products that SNC makes.

But that’s just the company.

The team is full of brilliant minds in extremely complicated disciplines like mechanical engineering, programming and medicine. However, three of SNC’s many stars are Steve Lindsey,Lee Archambault, and John Curry.

Lindsey and Archambault are former NASA astronauts and—yes, this was actually their job—SPACE SHUTTLE COMMANDERS, who retired from NASA to join the team at SNC and help build the next generation of spacecraft. Both worked as test pilots for the Air Force and NASA, leading to careers as astronauts and commanders at NASA. Both commanded missions under the direction of NASA flight directors, such as John Curry, Dream Chaser program director. They led missions to the International Space Station. In fact, Lindsey was the pilot who navigated the last mission of NASA legend, U.S. Senator, and American hero, John Glenn.

What (And How) You Can Learn From Astronauts

Prestigious companies will often tout public figures and accomplished team members as being part of their team, but how many can say that those people do real work at the firm? Let alone work alongside recent grads and interns?

SNC is among the few.

It matters to SNC that people like Lindsey, Archambault, and Curry work there, because the company’s culture of mentorship and talent cultivation means that learning from your co-workers is not some ethereal concept. It’s the real deal.

Learning to be a rocket scientist or an aerospace engineer is nearly impossible to do without lots of hands-on experience at a high level. SNC offers that experience to their recent-grad hires and interns through mentorship and teaching. When you work at SNC, you’ll have plenty of leaders at every level, from management to fellow grads, showing you the ropes of actual aerospace engineering work.

As for Lindsey and Archambault, what can two veteran space commanders teach you about the industry? Our guess: a whole lot!

Ready to find your way into the aerospace field? Check out fun facts, videos, and amazing opportunities from SNC on WayUp right now!

The post At This Company, Your Co-Workers Have Been To Outer Space—And You Could Learn A Lot From Them appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Product Management is all about organizing workflows to ensure that the limited, precious time of an engineering team is spent on the project with the highest possible gain for the company. As you might guess, being a Product Manager is a job for people with extreme attention to detail, organization skills, and vision. You’ve got to have a sense of the user experience, the engineering process, and—most important—what changes to both of those will mean for the company’s health.

It’s an amazing field that’s right on the corner of tech and business. You build a unique skillset that paves the way for a rewarding, independent, and lucrative career. Product Management is also a field that translates well into entrepreneurial endeavors and roles in more traditional corporations.

However, because it’s a relatively new field, you might not notice many internships or entry-level jobs. That makes it hard to say you have experience in it. It also makes it important to really nail the limited opportunities you find. When you do get your shot, you’ve got to put your best foot forward with the right resume. The proper Product Manager resume will show that you understand the field and are passionate about working in it.

Here’s how to make one.

It’s About Projects, Not Just Experience

Product Managers are constantly working on different projects and micro-projects to implement specific features, bug fixes, and new designs. They’re the people who decide on what and when the engineers are actually going to work. So, experience both completing projects and managing others in the process is the single most impactful quality on a Product Manager resume.

This means that your experience working as a cashier at your local deli is, perhaps, less important than the time you organized a dance-a-thon for colon cancer research with your school club. So, arrange your experience accordingly. It might seem strange to put a large-scale extracurricular project or even a school research project in the “experience” section of your resume, but these kinds of experiences show a hiring manager you’ve got a strong grasp of the actual content of a Product Manager’s work.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be showcasing your previous internships and jobs. Those should come first on your experience list. However, you might want to rephrase how you describe them. Highlight projects you led and executed and use metrics if possible. For example, “Organized and executed phone call campaign including scripting, sourcing leads, and post-campaign analytics.” Or even, “Rewrote website copy viewed by 20,000+ daily users.”

Stuff that doesn’t seem like Product Manager or “tech” experience can actually be quite effective at demonstrating your ability to handle the specific duties of a Product Manager or Associate Product Manager.

Independently Sought-Out Tech & Business Knowledge Is Valuable

Because Product Management is a field that’s between tech and business, you probably didn’t go to school for both of those things. Given that knowledge of both project management techniques AND software engineering are involved in the process of being a Product Manager, you’re going to want to demonstrate an interest in both fields.

The best way to do this is to seek out knowledge on your own and, if possible, take online or in-person courses (even free ones) outside of school or work to demonstrate that you’re really interested in becoming a master of the craft. Plus, the extra knowledge will help you get through interviews and application statements.

For business and related majors, try taking online courses in coding like those available in Codecademy or Coursera. When completed, these can be put on your resume. For tech people, try researching and finding courses in management techniques. If you can’t find an actual online course, read a book about the subject and put it in your “interests” or “hobbies” section on your resume.

Pro tip from a WayUp Product Manager: Learn about JIRA, the most popular product management software on the market. You should also learn about one of the most widely used project management methods, Agile. Both are key terms in the industry and knowledge of them will always be essential.

Interpersonal And Communication Skills Are Essential

Beyond all the technical aspects, Product Managers are coordinators, go-betweens, and middle-people. Communication and interpersonal skills are, therefore, essential parts of the package. This is another skillset you should be highlighting in your resume.

In the description of each of your previous jobs or internships, emphasize any interdepartmental communications you had to handle. If you were a business analyst, you could say, “Served as a vital go-between for the data and management teams.”

These are skills that are valuable on every resume, but for a Product Manager resume, they’re essential. Placing an emphasis on the ability to be a resource for people across departments and even outside the company is really important. These are particularly valuable skills and listing them demonstrates a deeper understanding of the Product Manager’s responsibilities and goals.

Making The Perfect Product Manager Resume Isn’t Hard

Always keep in mind the responsibilities of the job. Making the right Product Manager resume shouldn’t be a great challenge. It takes plenty of tweaking (and perhaps some extra homework). But there’s nothing on a perfect Product Manager resume that’s impossible for a student or recent grad to truthfully list.

Always remember that resumes are the first (and often last) chance you have to make an impression. Plus, recruiters and hiring managers take an average of six seconds with each resume they view. So, you’ve gotta make these key Product Manager skills stand out front and center. Don’t waste time with a long objective or mission statement. Just show them the skills and the focus.

Want to prep for that interview you’re definitely going to get with your shiny new resume? Check out interview tips and everything else you need for career success on the WayUp Guide.

The post How To Make A Perfect Product Manager Resume (Even Without Prior Experience) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

It’s not every day that you hear about companies asking their best and brightest to come up with the next big thing.

But at Dell’s yearly GameChanger competition, groups of employees of all kinds—from sales reps to engineers—pitch solutions to problems facing both the company and the world.

From sustainability to streamlined production, “game changers” can come in any form. Judges from across Dell’s leadership team listen to, critique, and spend money and time on the best ideas from Dell’s global team.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR OPEN ROLES AT DELL!

Gearing Up For Competition

Teams can come from anywhere in the company, no matter the location or department, and are supervised by finalists and winners from previous GameChangers events.

“We have a lot of smart people here with a lot of great ideas, and we just needed to give them a platform,” says Vanessa Henry, a member of Dell’s GenNext team, which is responsible for organizing the event.

In last year’s competition, more than 600 people from 28 countries entered ideas into the four categories. These included the Internet of Things, Customer Experience, Solutions Strategy, and an open-ended category (for those genius ideas that need no label).

Back To School: GameChangers University

In order to give employees the edge they would need to present in a business competition, Dell set up short courses under the umbrella of GameChangers University. The goal? To help everyone “think like entrepreneurs and fill in gaps in expertise.”

This not only sharpened the skills of business pros but also enabled the less experienced classes of contestants to better compete with their eloquent peers.

Clash Of The (Future) Industry Titans

Finally, the teams of five present to the panel of judges. If they advance to the final rounds, their ideas can be endorsed by senior leadership and get funded. One of last year’s winners, Mikhail Tolstoy, was seriously impressed by the results. “Dell is ready to spend money and, more importantly, time to work with you if you reach out,” he says.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR OPEN ROLES AT DELL!

Another of the previous winners, Phil Rasy, says it’s nice to know that he works for a company willing to put resources toward grassroots ideas: “It feels great to wake up in the morning and go to work knowing that the company you work for embraces your ideas and pays very well for them.”

And it’s more than just the palpable rewards that make the competition so great, Rasy says. It’s seeing your value across the company. “The impact that each individual can have on the business is immeasurable,” he says. “GameChangers opened up opportunities that I thought were impossible.”

GameChangers is just one part of a corporate culture obsessed with innovation. This commitment to entrepreneurship keeps Dell at the top of an increasingly competitive, and crowded, field.

Want to work for a company that invests in its employees’ game-changing ideas? Dell is hiring on WayUp, so check out their open positions and apply!

The post Want To Pitch Ideas To Your Own Company? This Company Is Seeking ‘Game Changers’ appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Every coffee shop likes to advertise its most exotic (read: expensive) coffee bean blends. These more often than not include a line or two about the beans’ dramatic journey from a far-flung locale all the way to your cup.

But are you sure you’re getting that Rwandan blend you paid for? How about that $350-per-pound Vietnamese blend? Are the coffee shops even sure?

The answer, it turns out, is yes. It is possible to know.

Thermo Fisher Tech Uncovers The Origin

So, how does it happen? You can thank the world leader in serving science, Thermo Fisher Scientific. Their researchers create a range of products that can do everything from identifying Ebola outbreaks to determining the origin of your favorite coffee bean.

Allow us to explain.

Figuring out where coffee beans originated from is no simple task. To do so, Thermo Fisher scientists applied the same inventive attitude they used developing DNA sequencing technology and producing Nalgene water bottles.

Their first step was conducting a study that applied Thermo Fisher technology to coffee sourcing. Through their work, they found that it is possible to conclusively identify exactly where you get your coffee from.

Isotope Fingerprinting Finds Its Genetic Family

The secret lies in a technology called isotope fingerprinting. And to understand what that means, you need to have a little background information. All molecules decay in a certain way. But the specific manner in which they decay depends on how long they’ve been around and the way their molecules are arranged.

That, in turn, means you can tell how two coffee beans—made from roughly the same species of plant—are different. From there, you can even determine where in the world those coffee beans are from.

This is very similar to carbon dating, which is a type of technology that can tell us how old fossils are. However, it’s not just age that Thermo Fisher scientists are looking for when they study the mysterious coffee bean.

By metaphorically zooming in on even more nuanced details of the plant’s isotope fingerprint, they are able to match any batch of coffee beans to a sample from a specific part of the world. They can then compare and contrast the two kinds of beans, which enables them to properly label their place of origin.

With the largest investment in research and development in the industry, Thermo Fisher was able to design a process that can verify where your favorite coffee beans are from. And while it might be cool for you to know that you are indeed drinking the legendary Kopi Luwak coffee from Vietnam, it’s also beneficial for a range of producers and distributors who are involved in the farming and manufacturing of those beans.

Pretty cool, right?

Just be warned: Thermo Fisher’s technology won’t reveal whether the $6 you paid for that velvety cup of Joe is really worth the money.

That, my friend, is all on you.

Interested in working for a company that is using technology to solve the world’s most vexing problems? Well, you’re in luck. Thermo Fisher is hiring on WayUp, so check out their open positions and apply here!

The post Is My Coffee Really From Rwanda? This Company Uses Forensic Tech To Find Out appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Technology is truly everywhere. And believe it or not, tractors (and all sorts of agricultural tools and processes) are no exception.

That’s where the folks at John Deere come in.

John Deere is the name in agricultural tech. From the first hand-operated steel plow to the self-directing machine behemoths that tackle farming today, John Deere has always made the best-in-class gear for farmers, landscapers, foresters, and more. And it doesn’t stay that way by resting on its laurels. The world of agritech is far more complicated and exciting than you might ever have imagined.

To get a better look at innovation within the company, we spoke to one of their innovation leaders, Julian Sanchez. He’s a career technologist and serial innovator who specializes in user experience and the digital space. Given his prior background in medical device tech and aviation, John Deere might seem like a strange fit for him—but Julian thinks it’s what helps him succeed in his role.

The ‘Magic’ Test For Self-Driving Tractors

“John Deere sits right on the cusp of Old World and New World,” Julian says. “What I mean by that we are still a manufacturing company, we are still making big iron machines, you’ve got to get that right. But here we are trying to digitize agriculture, construction, forestry, and even lawn-care,” he says.

And most of those digital solutions that Julian is working on have to do with automation. “We’re in a business where automation is a key part of our future, and in the journey toward that goal, we keep introducing subsystems that are automated. We are heavily focused on making sure we get the user experience and connectivity of those solutions right,” Julian says.

That means helping tractors, combines, and way, way more get better at recognizing the task of the farmer and the function that they fill with less input from the operator. “We should be able to tell that our customer is at the fields with a planter with a certain type of seed at a certain time of year. They shouldn’t have to enter data every single time,” Julian explains.

And that’s a goal that they’ve made massive strides toward. But it’s not just interface tools that they’re working on. A lot of the space-age dreams of agritech have already been realized. Yes, we’re talking about machines that do manual labor largely without humans operating them.

“You know, tractors already drive themselves,” Julian says. “So we’ve already achieved that element of the sci-fi world. There’s even a combine that can pretty much adjust itself and attain an optimal setting in a lot of fields.”

To Julian and millions of John Deere customers, this stuff is truly incredible.

“I would say at least half of the work I’m doing, it feels like magic. And that’s kind of the measure I use to tell whether something is really innovation: If the first time you see it, you just smile and think, ‘This feels like magic!” he says.

The ‘Magic’ Happens All Over

This sort of innovation isn’t restricted to one team or one location, either.

“Innovation happens across the entire company.  I used to work out of our office in Champaign, Illinois, where there’s this ‘Silicon Prairie’ of innovation. In the last three weeks, I moved to our technology center in Germany,” Julian says.

“We have a number of innovation centers around the world: Several locations in the United States and across the globe, including the one that I’m working out of now in Germany, and our San Francisco labs,” he says. The last one, Julian tells us, is particularly exciting, as its work relates primarily to the Blue River group, an agritech firm John Deere recently acquired.

“There are a number of nodes of innovation, but the purpose of the San Francisco center is to give us access to the ideas and the talent in Silicon Valley. That lab has a special link to the Blue River group, which is an acquisition we made thinking about advancing our capabilities and our expertise levels in the areas of artificial intelligence,” he says.

“We’re certainly excited about some of the work that Blue River has in the pipeline. They had been working on a variety of systems to detect and spray weeds in a very precise manner, so that’s still the core of the technology that they’re developing.”

Their See & Spray technology—the project that Julian referred to—uses the exact kind of decision-making technology that John Deere hopes to utilize across the business in other automation efforts.

The Right Culture To Back It All Up

So, from Silicon Valley to Silicon Prairie (and even to Germany), John Deere’s people innovate all over. But how do they sustain this? The company culture doesn’t leave anyone out of the loop. As Julian says, it’s a whole company effort, which makes the experience that much more meaningful.

“The fact that the company is going through this transformation really exposes everyone to it. So, it’s not just a small group of us working behind closed doors on some magical thing that gets revealed,” he says.

“From a technical standpoint, that involves everyone. Even if you’re an entry-level manufacturing engineer, you’re going to have some interaction with the manufacturability of one of our vehicles that now needs to double or triple the number of sensors that go on it,” he says.

Innovation, Julian stresses, even impacts spaces beyond engineering.

“If you’re in the supply management space, you’re going to deal with a whole new set of suppliers—ones we’ve never dealt with before—who supply a whole new set of sensors for automotive. If you’re in the finance group, you’re going to have to figure out what the tax implications are of offering digital services,” he explains.

So, what makes John Deere different in tech?

“There are certainly other businesses that have already branded themselves ‘technology companies.’ They may have a stronger brand as a tech company. But guess what? You’re going to go to some of those companies, and you’re going to sit on the bench,” Julian says.

“But if you come to John Deere—because we are literally in the middle of that transformation and will be for a while—you can be right in the game. I’ve personally hired, through my organization, a few dozen people into John Deere. And I don’t think that I have failed to deliver on that promise to any of the people that have come in.”

Pretty cool, right?

Find your tech future at John Deere. They’re hiring now on WayUp!

The post This 181-Year-Old Company’s Secret To Success? Innovation—And A Culture That Supports It appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Where does jewelry design meet thermal engineering?

Dell, of course.

It can be easy to see tech giants through the lens of their most popular products. However, when it comes to Dell, there’s a lot more going on than you might realize. Dell employs thousands of people all over the world who work on projects affecting everything from how we watch movies and play games to how we should handle e-waste and treat veterans with PTSD.

Here are five things you never would have guessed Dell employees are doing every day.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR OPEN ROLES AT DELL!

1. Turning Computer Chips Into Cufflinks

It might seem weird that a company that builds so many computers would be involved in tearing them apart. But that’s just what Dell’s doing with their gold (and other precious metals) recycling program.

Gold mining can be extremely damaging to the environment and electronics are one of the biggest customers for the business. Dell alone uses roughly 7,000 pounds of gold in its products every year. That’s where the geniuses behind the Dell recycling program (see #4) come in.

According to their experts, there’s more gold in a ton of motherboards than there is in a ton of gold ore. Re-harvesting this gold so it can be put back into use ends up creating 99 percent less pollution than normal mining. It also leads to some very interesting outcomes.

For example, take the Dell x Nikki Reed partnership. It uses Dell-recycled gold to make rings, earrings, and cufflinks designed by the former Twilight star and environmental activist.

What better way to put your environmental science or engineering experience to use than to save the environment and make cool jewelry?

2. Becoming A VR Guru

Gary Radburn is the director of Commercial AR/VR at Dell, or, as he is more commonly known, the VR Guru.

Radburn works with Dell’s team to make sure that their computers are powerful enough to handle the demands of 21st century Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. This includes Dell-made VR tech that’s used to treat war veterans with PTSD, showcase the impact of climate change on the environment, and—of course—play/watch the next generation of VR games and movies.

3. Combining Art + Activism

Storytelling can be a powerful way of getting your message out. And Dell’s message is that our society needs to take more responsibility for the impacts of technology. One such story Dell told was through the work of “artivist” Benjamin Von Wong.

Known for his work on viral videos and photography, Von Wong took advantage of Dell’s superb electronics recycling program (see #4) in order to create beautiful sculptures and images depicting the relationship of human beings to technology.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR OPEN ROLES AT DELL!

And that’s just one example. Dell employees collaborate with other artists and ambassadors, including the actor Adrian Grenier and world-class sailboat racers, to promote Dell’s message of sustainability, ethics, and user-friendly tech.

4. Taking Out The World’s Biggest Trash Problem

Computers, printers, screens, and everything in between are the most important pieces of technology in the world. So, it’s no wonder that when an innovation is made or a new model is released, we want to get our hands on it. However, that means a lot of electronics equipment is turned into trash or e-waste.

Dell has the largest e-waste recycling program in the world. This initiative includes not only the type of artistic endeavors above but also the reuse of materials in newer models of computers, printers, and other gadgets. Joining this team at Dell means contributing to a cleaner, more efficient world.

5. Using Mars Rover Parts To Make Cooler Laptops

Whether or not the phrase “thermal engineering” gets you going, it’s hard not to be amazed by the tech behind Dell’s latest round of XPS notebooks.

Engineers at Dell took the same Gore liner that’s used on actual spacecraft like the Mars Rover—in addition to jackets and sneakers—in order to make the literal coolest laptops on the market (temperature and otherwise). The material in question has, according to Dell, the lowest conductivity known to man. As Forbes put it, “So many companies are always abusing the phrase ‘space age technology.’ Well, Dell’s definitely backing it up.”

Want to work for a company that is constantly pushing the boundaries of technology, innovation, and science? Dell is hiring on WayUp, so check out their open positions and apply!

The post Here Are 5 Jobs You Never Expected To Find At Dell appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Diversity is only one part of a great company culture. Another element that goes hand-in-hand with it—one that is arguably even more important—is inclusion.

The team at John Deere had a feeling that Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) wasn’t just about putting the right holidays on the work calendar and making sure they had a diverse team. D&I, they believed, is about developing an organization that rallies people from all backgrounds and with different interests around projects that matter to them.

That’s what John Deere does with its Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Here’s a look at how these groups have made diversity and inclusion THRIVE at John Deere—one of the world’s oldest and most established agricultural tech firms.

To find out more, we spoke to their ERG Manager, Emmanuel Rivera. He told us all about what ERGs mean to him and the rest of the John Deere team.

What Are ERGs?

At John Deere, ERGs are company-sponsored, employee-run organizations formed around a common dimension of diversity, shared interest, or experience that affects the workplace. For example, WomenREACH’s ERG supports the personal and professional development of women by providing leadership, education, networking and community outreach opportunities.

For John Deere, ERGs provide a space for people to come together and use their combined experience and expertise to create an environment of inclusion.

“They have a unique ability to bring people from a cross-section of backgrounds together around a common mission,” Emmanuel explains. “The relationships and the connections that people make provide tremendous benefits for both the employees and the organization. ERGs connect people across functions, across units, across divisions, and even across time zones globally.”

This is especially important for John Deere, which, according to Emmanuel, is a relationship-based company. “ERGs play an integral role in being a natural mechanism for allowing that to take place,” he says.

We’ve all heard of employee groups before, but what do the ones at John Deere do differently? They’re not just social clubs, Emmanuel says. The ERGs at John Deere are made of leaders who drive real change in the organization. ERGs are true change agents that help support attracting, retaining and developing top diverse talent.

Leaders Are Made (And Recognized)

“If you do become a truly engaged member, you have an opportunity to develop in a way that your functional job might not allow you to,” Emmanuel says. “For employees with individual contributor type roles, those who take on leadership roles have an opportunity to lead teams, to and influence without authority amongst other things, competencies and skillsets that translate well into future roles of increased responsibility.”

Because ERGs are places for people to connect around different cultural dynamics and challenges affecting the workplace, they’re also where management is listening to get genuine feedback. Transformative initiatives come from ERGs. When you have a voice in the ERGs at John Deere, you’re heard by leaders at every level.

This is particularly exciting for people early in their careers—and interns—because you can take on leadership roles without having to wait for a promotion. This, in turn, can really help with showcasing ERG leaders’ ability to lead, influence and add value to the business, behaviors that when demonstrated could actually support securing that promotion.

“It’s invaluable experience,” Emmanuel says. “You can put events together, manage projects and budgets—the development that comes with ERGs accelerates your personal and professional development in a way that can’t be reproduced.”

This kind of opportunity for leadership benefits everyone—from the employee fresh out of college who’s hungry for experience to the most senior executive who can have faith that their D&I initiatives are coming from the ground up.

Now that’s running (a company) like a (John) Deere.

The post Here’s How This Tractor Company You Definitely Know Leads In Diversity appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

There are two things you probably remember from your high school biology class:

1) Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell.

2) Proteins are the building blocks of the body.

So, it’s fair to say proteins are important. And as a scientist, being able to better understand the shape and nature of a protein means medicine, evolutionary history, and all kinds of discoveries are suddenly at your fingertips. That’s why cryo-electron microscopy is so important—it lets scientists see proteins and other tiny particles in entirely new and novel ways.

It’s so important, in fact, that three scientists—Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank, and Richard Henderson—were recently awarded the Nobel Prize for breakthroughs in the technology.

But how does cryo-electron microscopy actually make it into the hands of researchers around the world? Somebody needs to perfect and sell it. And that’s where employees at Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science, come in.

Wasabi Spice Detector: How It Works

Essentially, the process works in three steps. The first is freezing the proteins (hence the “cryo” part). Regular electron microscopy only works if the proteins are stiff enough to actually pin down and capture. But that’s exceedingly difficult to do with the kinds of microscopic organisms scientists want to study. Why? They can be too “floppy” to handle unless they’re frozen. This technology eliminates that problem.

Once frozen, these proteins or other organisms are then blasted with electrons and their image is captured thousands of times. Finally, an algorithm takes the images and assembles them to create a 3-D model.

What have scientists been able to better understand thanks to cryo-electron microscopy and the vivid imagery it generates? Among other breakthroughs, they’ve gained insights into how the Zika Virus functions, how our circadian rhythm works, and why wasabi tastes so spicy.

Let’s dive into that last one a little bit more.

As the National Institute of General Medical Sciences explains, the TRPA1 protein is responsible for that kick you taste when you bite into a helping of wasabi. (It’s actually known as the wasabi receptor.)

This protein essentially pokes tiny holes in the membranes of sensory nerve cells. When we eat something like wasabi, these pores open up, triggering “a warning response that we feel as a tingling or burn,” according to the NIGMS. Though it’s useful in detecting spiciness, this small protein packs a surprising amount of punch: Its primary function is to notify the body of pain. As such, having a better understanding of the TRPA1 protein could potentially lead to all sorts of medical advancements in the field of pain management.

How This Can Be Used to Save Lives

Understanding the curves and crevices of a molecule means that researchers can design drugs that fit into them, break them apart, and maybe even put them back together better than before. That’s why the innovators behind cryo-electron microscopy techniques won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Scientists working throughout the 20th and 21st centuries collectively invented the technique of cryo-electron microscopy. But only in Thermo Fisher’s laboratories did that technology actually become a widely available product that could be deployed to create new pain management drugs, cancer treatments, vaccines, and other treatments. Thermo Fisher’s groundbreaking research and innovative employees made those groundbreaking discoveries possible. It’s Thermo Fisher’s commitment to its customers that makes this all possible.

With the largest investment in research and development in the industry, Thermo Fisher empowers its employees to take innovative ideas and turn them into life-saving products. And it has an equally important impact on its clients: The work done at Thermo Fisher gives other scientists the ability to perform the kinds of innovative research that can fundamentally affect the lives of people across the globe.

And it’s not just scientists, either. Supply-chain professionals, marketers, salespeople, and even writers are all an important part of making sure amazing discoveries turn into amazing results.

Interested in learning more? Thermo Fisher is hiring now on WayUp, so check out their open positions and apply!

The post Can Wasabi Spice Detector Proteins Change The World? This Company Thinks So appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Sorry, parents. It turns out playing Call of Duty might actually be relevant experience for the real world after all.

And you can thank global aerospace and technology company Lockheed Martin for that.

Higher Tech Doesn’t Always Mean Higher Cost

In a move designed to make its technology more intuitive and easily replaceable, the Navy is working with Lockheed Martin to replace old (and expensive) custom joysticks on Virginia-Class submarine periscopes with something more modern: Xbox 360 controllers.

Reason number one people love the idea? Money. The previous joystick model and its accompanying control panel cost nearly $40,000. The Xbox 360 controller, on the other hand, retails for $40.

If you need help with the math, that means the new option is 99,900 percent cheaper.

But it’s not just government accountants who are happy.

A Familiar Feeling For Newer Navy Recruits

“That joystick is by no means cheap, and it is only designed to fit on a Virginia-class submarine,” a Navy nuclear submarine assistant navigator told a Virginia newspaper. “I can go to any video game store and procure an Xbox controller anywhere in the world, so it makes a very easy replacement.”

The Xbox controller will still work with the built-in panel, which displays images sent down from the two masts of the periscope (which Lockheed Martin also designed). These new “photonic imaging masts” use a series of cameras, light sensors, and other pieces of cutting-edge imaging tech to provide a more nuanced picture of the submarine’s surroundings. They also allow for simultaneous viewing.

Lockheed Martin has been working on the program since this past November, when it kicked off with the USS Colorado. It has continued to expand and will ultimately include all Virginia-class submarines in the Navy fleet.

But this isn’t a one-and-done project. Lockheed Martin employees will continue working with the Navy to develop tech solutions that will cut costs and increase efficiency. Apart from retrofitting nuclear submarines with Xbox 360 controllers, Lockheed’s secretive Skunk Works development team also built an autonomous airship repair robot with almost entirely off-the-shelf parts.  

Curious to know what else is in the pipeline? Apply to open positions at Lockheed Martin and be a part of this innovative work. They’re hiring now on WayUp!

Lockheed Martin is a leading global aerospace and technology company that works with partners around the world to drive forward scientific research and innovation.

The post This Company’s Employees Look Like They’re Playing Video Games—But They’re Controlling Submarines appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Working at Lockheed Martin gives you the ability to work on technology that is changing the future. Want to learn about the groundbreaking projects Lockheed Martin employees get to work on? Watch:

Lockheed Martin is an aerospace and technology company that drives game-changing innovations in engineering and science. If you’re interested in working for Lockheed Martin, you can check out their open roles on WayUp here!

The post Lockheed Martin Is One Of The Most Innovative Companies On Earth appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

At Lockheed Martin’s legendary Skunk Works division, top secret, seemingly impossible projects are turned into functioning aircraft—sometimes over the course of just a few months.

But how is it possible that a small team can do something that normally requires entire companies of people and years of work at any other lab? They use a radical, rapid-design method known as “skunking,” named after the division that invented it.

That’s right. The Skunk Works not only created fabled flyers like the SR-71 Blackhawk Stealth Jet but also crafted a revolutionary design method that streamlines the process into an unprecedented timeline—shattering standards for the aeronautics industry.

And when they’ve finally got their plane off the ground, they do it again. And again. Here’s a look at how.

Skunking 101: Prototyping At Skunk Works

Skunking is all about getting a prototype off the ground as soon as possible—without necessarily worrying about absolute success.

“We have built vehicles that we knew were going to crash,” Steve Justice, the former director of Skunk Works, says on their podcast. “Because we just wanted to explore what’s on the edge of the envelope.”

When you’re skunking, putting an aircraft that isn’t 100 percent done in the air isn’t about showing off to your bosses or meeting absurd deadlines set by outside clients. It’s about failing (in the best way possible) and learning as much as you can from that. It makes sense, too. What’s faster? Discovering a critical flaw because you painstakingly calculated its possibility or literally seeing the flaw in action as your first draft careens back to Earth because of it?

And that’s not to say the Skunk Works team isn’t doing painstaking calculations. Apart from representing some of the brightest minds in the industry, Skunk Works members come with specific ideas, initiatives, and concepts in mind for whatever project they’re working on. It’s all about meeting impossible goals, so having something to offer is an absolute must, according to one Skunk Works team member.

“Whatever thing you came up with, if it didn’t contribute to one of those requirements, it wasn’t making it onto the plane,” she said about one of the team’s first standard-setting projects. “Everything had to buy its way on.”

With So Much On The Line, Skunking Is The Only Option

These hyper-strict requirements, lean teams and resources, and equally impossible goals and timelines are all because of one thing: Skunk Works takes on projects that MUST be done.

Their story begins with a mission to combat a WWII German fighter jet so fast that none of the Allied planes or gunners were fast enough to catch it.

One Lockheed engineer, the Skunk Works founder Kelly Johnson, had an idea for how they could beat the Nazis’ groundbreaking plane. But neither Lockheed nor the government had any resources to spare because of the total war effort going on. Yet it wasn’t that simple—Johnson and Lockheed knew that every day his plane wasn’t in the air, there were Allied soldiers, prisoners, and families dying under the Third Reich.

The biggest problem, though, was that making a jet that could beat the fastest one around usually took years. Johnson and his newly-formed, yet-to-be-named Skunk Works team knew that wasn’t going to work.

So they skunked.

The Skunk Works’ Golden Rule is to get to a prototype. This way, they can get down to the last 10 percent that’s actually going to take some serious innovation. Their second Golden Rule? Assume it can be done.

When you don’t sweat the basic details (because you’re a crack team who can knock them out in record time), you have time—however limited—to apply all of your brightest minds to the real task: Doing something that’s never been done before.

From there on, it’s brilliant thinking, ego-free collaboration, and building, building, building.

Finally, you end up with a true invention, an aircraft that flies like nothing else in human history.

Think you have what it takes to skunk? Check out fun facts, videos, and job opportunities from Lockheed Martin on WayUp right now!

The post What Is ‘Skunking?’ How This Company Uses A Radical Design Method To Make Fighter Jets, Spy Planes, And More appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

There is an incredible diversity of cultures, locales, and languages across the globe. Yet that same diversity is what makes it so difficult for many international businesses to figure out how to tap into far-flung opportunities.

Identifying how money might enrich those myriad markets, though, is exactly the business of OppenheimerFunds. The tricky nature of designing investment solutions that work throughout the world is why they hire so many passionate learners and experts.

Here’s a quick look at the strategy behind how the innovative investment leader operates beyond borders in a global economy.

Investment Challenging Borders

“Global trade occurs at the speed of light,” says OF’s Chief Investment Officer Krishna Memani. “There are opportunities in countries and markets all over the world.” That, he says, is why you can’t box your thinking into one country’s way of doing business.

But you can’t just snap your fingers and suddenly become successful outside of the United States and other Western financial markets, either. You need to be knowledgeable about each of the different cultures and their needs. OppenheimerFunds has a strategy in place for this, too.

“Companies that operate in different countries have different cultures. They have different ways of doing business,” Memani says. “You get to be an expert of those markets by visiting those companies, by interacting with them. OppenheimerFunds is special in this regard, because we have been doing this for nearly 60 years.”

For example, the OppenheimerFunds Emerging Markets Innovators Fund invests more than $500 million in businesses and operators in places like South America, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. This not only generates new wealth for their clients but also enriches economies around the world to help create better lives for people in all types of situations.

Thinking Bigger Than The Big Apple

“If your portfolio is only focused on what’s happening in New York, then you’re only missing out on what’s happening in 38 other time zones,” Memani says. (That’s a lot of time zones.)

OppenheimerFunds has devoted decades toward becoming a leader among financial institutions when it comes to taking serious bets on emerging market economies. These types of investments have made the firm a trailblazer in asset management and contributed to its global mission and success: The company manages more than $250 billion in assets for more than 13 million clients.

But it wasn’t just profit that fueled OF, Memani stresses. It was the curiosity of the company’s employees, who pushed boundaries as they sought to test what they could achieve and how they might operate in new markets. “It’s that curiosity that leads us to innovative ideas,” he says. It also serves as the foundation for forward-thinking projects like the Oppenheimer Fundamental Alternatives fund, which scours the Earth for technological and business innovators to power portfolio growth.

“Innovation can come from Calcutta just as it can from Silicon Valley,” he says.

According to OppenheimerFunds, that’s how you beat borders: You think beyond them. The reward for doing so is versatility, improving the world beyond your sights, and—of course—beating the market to the next big profit source.

Think you can beat the market? So do they.

So much of what OppenheimerFunds does is about getting and processing the right information before anyone else can. That means they hire a diverse group of people, from data whizzes to communications experts. What characteristics do they share? They’re passionate, extremely knowledgeable, and can handle a challenge that races against the clock.

If you think you can spot the next big thing before the market does, then you might be the perfect fit for OF’s transformational investment platform.

Do you want to utilize your passion to shape an investment career? Check out opportunities from OppenheimerFunds on WayUp right now!

The post Finance Beyond FiDi: This Company Believes It Can ‘Challenge Borders’ With Global Investment appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you hear a name like Dr. Skip Rizzo and think, “That sounds like a guy who uses cutting-edge gaming technology to treat major public health crises,” then you’d be right on the money.

Skip Rizzo And The Fight Against PTSD

That’s right, thanks to Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) tech from Dell, researchers like Dr. Rizzo at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies are able to treat anxiety disorders like PTSD with an entirely new approach.

And that’s not all they’re doing with it.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR OPEN ROLES AT DELL!

Using simulations that both soothe the anxious mind and provide low-risk “immersion” scenarios to help patients process traumatic experiences, medical VR tech and its proponents see a near endless possibility for both engaging the interest of the patient and lowering the costs of top-of-the-line care.

The Painful (And Expensive) Alternatives

In the past, if patients required long hours of immersion and care, this would necessitate the involvement of multiple people, expensive equipment, and a ton of office space. For most people and medical practices, this wasn’t feasible. Treatment would cost too much and doctors, therapists, and nurses would only be able to help a few of their many patients.

Now, thanks to this kind of groundbreaking work, this gold standard of care might be available for people of all incomes and backgrounds.

Dell’s Application of VR and AR

Though you might not have known (until now), Dell has been one of the companies pushing the boundaries of VR tech. As Dell’s resident VR/AR expert Gary Radburn explained, the company has always had faith in VR’s limitless potential: “New ways of using AR and VR have emerged to prove that there is a place for this technology outside of 360 videos and shooting zombies that makes it a far more enduring technology than some of the naysayers at the start made it out to be.”

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR OPEN ROLES AT DELL!

This new treatment is the perfect example. One of the key components of any PTSD treatment is getting patients to remember their prior traumatic event without having to relive it. Immersion therapy is the gold standard for accomplishing this. This used to involve verbally and visually them through the traumatic scenario to get them accustomed to remembering it without having to re-experience the horror. This is often a very expensive process, because completing it involves hours of direct contact with doctors, techs, and equipment.

Yet instead of relying on projected images or videos to talk patients through scenarios, professionals leveraging VR/AR tech can more accurately—and effectively—run through these past traumas. Through this interactive method, patients—especially veterans, for whom scenarios can be particularly hard to reproduce—can come face-to-face with their memories in a safe environment. That empowers them to finally start the healing process.

Thanks to Dell’s line of specifically VR-ready equipment, this treatment is not only more effective but also cheaper and more efficient than its clunky counterpart. Dr. Rizzo and Dell are ready for the future of VR. Are you?

If you’re up for the challenge, Dell is hiring on WayUp, so check out their open positions and apply!

The post He Uses VR Tech To Treat PTSD And Help Veterans Re-Enter Society appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

What makes the perfect internship in finance or tech? Is it the opportunity to receive world-class training? Is it working for a company that operates all over the world? Is it being given the freedom to work with innovators on the next big thing so you can get a head start on industry trends? How about all three—and way, way more?

If you said yes, then you’re in luck, because that’s what you’ll find at Nasdaq’s internship program.

Here’s a look at why a Nasdaq internship is the perfect way to start your career in tech or finance.

1. They Operate On 6 Continents, So You Can Set Yourself Up For A Globetrotting Career

Nasdaq isn’t just a stock exchange in New York City. They’re the primary securities (stocks and bonds) market for major global companies. And they’re especially popular in the technology sector.

That means working for Nasdaq opens the gateway to working in markets all over the world. If you’re interested in a career with exciting opportunities to travel or in working abroad in general, then Nasdaq might be your perfect match.

In an interview with WayUp Co-founder and CEO Liz Wessel, Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman highlighted the range of countries where Nasdaq operates. “We are not only the capital market in the US. We’re the capital market in the Nordics,” she says. “We also provide the technology that powers over a hundred capital markets around the world.”

Nasdaq interns train for a company that operates on six continents, so they’re ready to work anywhere when graduation comes around.

2. Nasdaq Is Bringing Its World-Renowned Technology To The Booming Crypto Marketplace

Finance can be decidedly old-school when it comes to its place in the economy. But Nasdaq, which defines itself as a technology company and markets operator, completely defies that stereotype. This kind of outside-the-box thinking starts with Friedman.

“We are seeing a lot of crypto exchanges trying to become more self-regulated, that they have fair market rules, good technology, and surveillance,” Friedman tells Bloomberg TV. “We are the tech provider to a few of the crypto exchanges and we see an opportunity to provide our market technology and surveillance technology in this space,”

Nasdaq isn’t shying away from what some consider an important development in the future of finance. On that front, they’ve  become a technology partner to several crypto markets, including Gemini, a crypto-firm founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, the Bitcoin investors famously depicted by Armie Hammer in The Social Network.

3. They’re Serial Tech Innovators Always Looking For New Ideas

Their innovations don’t start or stop with crypto, though. They’re working on integrating artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cloud computing technologies into their exchange systems (among plenty of other exciting pushes).

If you’re interested in finance, tech, or the intersection of the two fields, then interning at Nasdaq is an amazing opportunity to get experience with an established, big-name company, and to actually prepare yourself for what’s next in finance.

Knowing more about next-gen tech will make you an ideal candidate for important, promotable  roles all over the financial sector.

4. Their Business Practices Govern Nearly Every Financial Market In The World

Nasdaq doesn’t just offer a stocks and bonds market to companies all over the world. They offer financial and business expertise in the form of consulting services. That means, even in places or developing markets where Nasdaq isn’t the primary exchange, their business practices and methods are still the standard.

This is especially true in emerging markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Nasdaq’s expertise influences these rich new markets and the way their exchanges do business. That means being trained by Nasdaq is being trained for emerging markets, which makes you an incredibly valuable candidate for future jobs.

5. They Offer So Many Services That You Can Start A Career In Any Specialty

One of the biggest misconceptions about Nasdaq is that they’re just an exchange.

They provide services like investor relations, capital markets technology, commodities and equities, and even more than that. They’re a 360-degree financial markets and business brand. So, if you’re interested in starting a career in consulting, analytics, marketing, technology, account management, sales, and—of course—finance, then Nasdaq might just be the perfect company for your next summer internship.

You can also discover an entirely new passion while working and learning at Nasdaq, according to Friedman. “I think that one of the great things about Nasdaq is that you can find your way into the organization through one group, and move to other parts of the company. But you have to have your own sense of self-reliance, self-starting,” she says.

Think you have what it takes to carve your own path with an innovative finance leader? Check out fun facts, videos, and amazing job opportunities from Nasdaq on WayUp right now!

The post From Today’s Innovations To The Future Of Finance: 5 Reasons This Multibillion Dollar Finance Giant Is The Perfect Place To Intern appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Let’s start with a thought experiment.

I’m going to name three things, and you have to tell me if they share anything in common.

1. Making milk safe for babies.
2. Discovering the geographic origin of the coffee bean.
3. Fighting terrorism with forensics.

Any ideas?

In case you’re stumped, we’ll help you out: They all use technology developed at Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Now, at first glance you might think working for a biotech product development company isn’t necessarily exciting. You might doubt whether researching and developing scientific equipment is riveting.

But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

All across Thermo Fisher, scientists and businesspeople alike work on projects that truly mean the difference between life and death—oftentimes for the most vulnerable people in the world.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THERMO FISHER AND APPLY FOR OPEN ROLES

Forensics As The Secret Sauce

How is it that one company actually contributes to so many different causes? The answer lies in one of Thermo Fisher’s specialties: forensic technology.

Thermo Fisher creates all sorts of chemical, DNA, and materials identification technology. These and other products make the company an essential part of what drives forward innovation across a range of specialties and industries.

This comprises most anything you can think of. Perhaps the best question to ask is, what field doesn’t rely on scientific progress to advance?

Take Erica Hirsch. She works as a Senior Business Segment Director at Thermo Fisher’s Silicon Valley office. Hirsch manages a handheld drug verification device that helps people in Africa detect and stop the flow of counterfeit malaria drugs.

Another Thermo Fisher employee playing an important role is Niusheng. He develops applications for the mass spectrometer. That’s a device that has a broad range of uses, including the detection of deadly chemicals. Thanks to Niusheng’s work, one Thermo Fisher client is able to test 750,000 tons of infant formula each year for potentially harmful chemicals. And that’s just one of the ways his work has a direct impact on people’s lives around the world.

From Science Labs To Hiking Bags

However, most people’s experience with Thermo Fisher—hopefully—involves the world’s most famous piece of lab equipment: the Nalgene bottle.

Born from their Nalgene line of lab equipment and built from high quality and non-contaminating plastics, the signature water bottle still bears the graduated measurements of its ancestors.

It’s no accident, though, that Thermo Fisher’s cylinders and beakers became the eco-nerd’s (then the world’s) first choice for a reusable water bottle. Lab equipment has to be built tough to withstand pressure, falls, and high temperatures—all without leaking any nasty chemicals into the container. These qualities also make for the perfect water bottle, especially if you’re looking to take it on a hike.

So, the Nalgene lab line became the Nalgene water bottle line. And now you have your go-to water bottle.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THERMO FISHER AND APPLY FOR OPEN ROLES

Stopping Ebola At The Source

Their technology can do more than just support labs and solve crimes. Their advanced DNA technologies are used in stopping some of the world’s most dangerous diseases, like Ebola.

Teaming up with Thomas Jefferson University, the Institute Pasteur, and the Organization of International Visitors of the USA (OIV-USA), Thermo Fisher responded swiftly to the Ebola epidemic that originated in West Africa in 2014.

Using Thermo Fisher DNA technology, researchers were able to help doctors test patients in the Ivory Coast (where the epidemic broke out). That enabled them to more effectively isolate cases, pinpoint local outbreaks, and prevent a continent-wide crisis.

With so much on the line, it’s nice to know Thermo Fisher also has the highest R&D budget in the industry. Devoting so much money and talent toward the future, Thermo Fisher is constantly developing new and better products that quite literally save the world. It also means that they’ve got room for anyone else looking to throw intelligence and effort at the world’s most challenging problems.

Interested in working at a company that’s solving the world’s biggest problems? Thermo Fisher is hiring on WayUp, so check out their open positions and apply now!

The post This Company Makes Everything From Nalgene Bottles To Human Trafficking Identification Kits—And They’re Hiring appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

It’s 3 AM, you’re studying for finals, and…

…you want ice cream. Now.

Lucky for you, in the year 2018, that’s not a problem. Head to any 24-hour convenience store and you won’t find just any frozen deliciousness on the shelves, you’ll find the (ice) cream of the crop: Ben & Jerry’s.

We’re talking Americone Dream. We’re talking Cherry Garcia. We’re talking—the absolute Holy Grail—Half-Baked. It’s all there. And it’s easy to forget that people are behind the scenes, making it all happen.

So, if you do ever wonder how it got there AND why it’s always there when you want it, we found your answer. We spoke to Kamree, the man with a plan (for getting you your ice cream). He’s a Customer Service Analyst at Unilever, the company that makes Ben & Jerry’s and hundreds of other brands like Axe and Dove.

He told us everything we need to know about the amazing business of getting products to the people.

Getting Ice Cream Where It’s Wanted (AKA Everywhere)

Supply Chain is the science of getting products from the manufacturer to the customer. It’s a discipline that involves incredible time management, multitasking, and nerves of steel. And Kamree’s got all of that.

“I manage the Foods and Refreshments categories for Unilever,” he says. This is actually quite tricky to manage, because food—especially ice cream—can spoil (or melt) easily. But Kamree isn’t deterred by that challenge.

“I’m involved with all of our ice cream products, so brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, and our Good Humor brand, as well as Popsicles, Klondike, and so forth. I’ve also worked with food products like Knorr and Hellman’s Mayonnaise,” he says.

But what, exactly, does he do?

“I’m pretty much a middleman with the customer,” he says. “We’re always planning, so my job sometimes even involves transportation. For example, we’ll help ensure that stores like Target receive their food and refreshment on time and in full.”

That translates into a lot of hours running numbers and visiting stores and manufacturers. It also means time spent collaborating with managers, engineers, and supervisors and coordinating with everyone from the people packaging the batch to the people unloading the trucks.

How Did Kamree Become The Ultimate Ice Cream Man?

“In school I studied Operations Management,” Kamree says. “I actually came upon Supply Chain on a study abroad experience in China. We learned about manufacturing, as well as overseas distribution of products.”

That trip really sparked his interest in this somewhat hidden but entirely essential aspect of the economy.

“I realized that a lot of the business is run through the Supply Chain,” he says. “It doesn’t matter how much you market a product or how great the product you create is. If you can’t get the product to the consumer, then it really doesn’t matter.”

It’s a lot of responsibility and a lot of pressure. That’s why, when it comes to Supply Chain Management, it takes a certain kind of person to handle it.

“You have to be very comfortable with the uncomfortable,” he says. “In Supply Chain, things are very rarely quiet, and just being able to manage yourself in those types of environments is key. High emotional intelligence is another thing.”

But it’s not just stressful for you. Manufacturing is a labor-intensive process with a ton of opportunities for error. To excel, you have to be able to communicate effectively with all the different personalities and stakeholders.

“Another thing is just being very personable. Because we work in the middle of so many different functions, you have to be able to empathize with other people and understand how other things work in order to truly make an impact,” Kamree says.

Yet despite the high-intensity environments, Supply Chain is a rewarding career path, Kamree stresses. Another perk: It also offers a high base pay.

“Knowing that I’m that integral piece to ensure that little girl gets her ice cream, or that little boy can have his popsicle, that’s what makes it the most interesting to me,” he says. He loves being the person everyone can count on.

And don’t worry, working around ice cream hasn’t taken any of the magic out of it for him. He still has his favorite flavor.

“It’s PB & Cookies, the non-dairy one. I’m vegan, so I have to eat non-dairy everything. And it’s absolutely amazing,” he says.

Think you could be the next great Supply Chain Manager? Check out fun facts, testimonials, and amazing internship and co-op opportunities from Unilever on WayUp right now!

The post I Make Sure Your Fave Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Is Always Available When You Want It (AKA All The Time) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Unilever isn’t your average company.

On any given day, 2.5 billion people use Unilever products. For some perspective, that’s one-third of the Earth’s total population. But that’s just its reach.

Unilever employs more than 161,000 people. And when it comes to hiring, it does things entirely its own way.

The Unilever team threw out the old school resume and phone screen formula so that they could start finding modern talent in a modern way. They now use a digital process that’s fast, fun, and authentic.

Here’s how it works. You’ll start by applying online. Then you’ll play games that assess your skills, personality, and potential. After the games, you’ll complete a video interview. Finally, if you pass those rounds, you’ll go in-person to a Unilever Discovery Center to meet your peers and potential co-workers, and to see what life is like at Unilever. Shortly after that, you’ll (hopefully) get an offer!

Here are five tips from the recruiting experts at Unilever that will help you nail the interview process and land a job at one of the world’s top companies.

1. There Are Games—Have Fun With Them

When you apply to Unilever, you’ll be asked to build a digital profile. Part of that means playing 12 games to test your personality, skills, and hidden potential. This isn’t a hazy or hush-hush process, either. After every game, you’ll get direct feedback, and they’ll tell you what they think they found. There’s no right or wrong answer; they’re just looking to see how you play.

That’s why it’s so important to have fun with the games. Don’t stress about winning or doing things a certain way. Do it how you would do it—and have fun with it. Play calmly and confidently, without stressing about doing it “right.”

And above all remember this: It’s about who you are and how you play, and NOT about winning or losing.

2. Make Eye Contact With The Webcam

The digital interview is a real interview. Though you record your answers on your own time, treat it like there’s someone sitting in front of you.

Even though the questions are pre-recorded, there’s a real person on the other end who thought about those questions and wants to know your answers. So, sit up straight, look the camera in its metaphorical eye (the lens), and speak like you normally would to any interviewer. You can even re-record your answers a few times, so it’s potentially even less stressful than an in-person screening.

But that’s just how you’re speaking. The next three tips will help you make sure WHAT you’re saying is just as good as the presentation.

3. Know The Brands

Unilever is a megabrand. It has thousands of products under a ton of subsidiaries around the world. If you only do research on Unilever, you’ll be missing out on a ton of the important (and genuinely interesting) info about the company’s past, present, and future.

So, know your region’s brands (like Ben & Jerry’s, Dove, Axe, and Lipton). That way, you can speak with confidence about your experience with the products, your perception of them, and what you can contribute to the mission of the company that makes them. You’ve almost definitely used a Unilever product, so draw on that experience to bring insight to your interview. That will really help you get to the next round.

4. Know What You Want, But Be Open To New Experiences

So many of Unilever’s jobs and internship opportunities are in different locations around the country. They’re also spread out across departments and sectors you might never have imagined for yourself. So, even though it’s important to know what you want going into an interview, being flexible will make hiring you all the easier.

Plus, if you’re open to something you might not have expected, then you can discover your dream job! New experiences almost always teach you something valuable about yourself. Think flexibly, and you might find yourself with an amazing new job or internship!

5. Learn About Its Values, Especially Sustainability

It’s always important to learn about a company’s values beforehand and think about how the work that you want to do for them can engage with those principles.

One of Unilever’s most important values is promoting a healthy relationship to the environment with their Unilever Sustainable Living Plan. This ambitious project aims to double the company’s growth and halve their environmental impact by 2020. Think about why this matters to you and how you’ll act on and support the effort.

Pro-tip: It’s really important to use concrete examples when talking about something high-minded like values. Translation: Don’t forget the specifics.

For example, if diversity and inclusion are values of the company (like they are for Unilever), and you’re applying for a Supply Chain Management job, you could talk about how ensuring you work with diverse, high-quality suppliers would be a priority for you. Concrete examples like this show that you did more than just Google “Unilever company values.”

Now Go Get Your Dream Job

Now that you have the inside scoop on Unilever’s recruiting process, there’s nothing stopping you from getting your dream job at one of the world’s most successful companies.

If you want to join the mission of making people feel good, look good, and do good, check out internship and co-op opportunities from Unilever on WayUp right now!

The post These 5 Tips Will Actually Help You Get Hired At Unilever (A Hiring Manager Told Us!) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Fact or fiction?

If you have been watching TV for the past two decades, then you are probably familiar with Detective Olivia Benson, FBI Agent Fox Mulder, or one of the many other fictional crime fighters we all grew up with.

And if you love this genre, then you have probably heard these crime fighters utter some version of this phrase: “Send it to the lab!”

But it’s rare that you get insight into what happens between that moment and when the results are delivered. I mean, what actually happens in the lab?

That’s where Thermo Fisher Scientific laboratory kits turn crime fiction into justice facts.

As the world leader in serving science, Thermo Fisher has played an instrumental role in driving innovation forward in the field of forensics and countless other scientific areas. Its employees are part of ground-breaking research and development and help solve real-world challenges.

Without them, the bad guys would get away with their crimes much more frequently. And it goes the other way, too. High-tech forensics tools have vindicated many wrongfully-convicted men and women.

Fictional forensic science has come a long way since the time of Sherlock Holmes. Crime shows now feature brightly-lit, space-age labs with holographic, touch screen displays and computers that seemingly run every test in the book.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THERMO FISHER AND APPLY FOR OPEN ROLES

And while the budget for the average police department probably isn’t that high, these depictions of forensic science’s new capabilities are not entirely inaccurate.

It turns out the real world has made quite a few strides as well.

Where TV Meets Reality

Nowadays, it’s about way more than just fingerprints.

Modern crime labs boast the ability to match miniscule samples of DNA with potential suspects. They can isolate single drugs and poisonous chemicals from among thousands of possibilities, find nearly invisible evidence at a scene, and even identify expertly forged documents or counterfeits.

Take Thermo Fisher Senior Staff Scientist Julio. He has seen his work with Thermo Fisher’s forensic products secure justice for people on both sides of the courtroom.

“I’ve had the chance to meet the people our technology has helped on both sides of that spectrum—victims’ families who have been given a measure of justice through an accurate conviction, and wrongfully imprisoned individuals who have been set free thanks to advancements in DNA testing. Our work has real impact, and I’ve seen the results with my own eyes,” he says. (You can learn more about Julio’s story here.)

LEARN MORE ABOUT THERMO FISHER AND APPLY FOR OPEN ROLES

Solving Crimes And Beyond

It’s not just detectives and prosecutors who rely on forensic technology.

So many elements of our world depend on the hard facts provided by forensic technology. Sports officials might be using drug testing or identification equipment to determine the future (or revise the history) of an athlete or a game. High-price art auctions might need verification of ownership and authenticity documents.

That means this technology can answer a ton of questions that were once a mystery. Did that world-class athlete really use illegal performance-enhancing drugs? Was that painting really bought in Paris in 1945, or was it stolen by the Nazis? Is there a map printed on the back of the Declaration of Independence?

While the answer to that last one is (probably) a definite “no,” people like Julio at Thermo Fisher work to advance a science with nearly endless capacity for improving the world.

Want to join Julio in the work he is doing in forensics research? You can. Learn more about Thermo Fisher and apply for open jobs and internships here. Who knows? You could be the next true crime hero.

The post My Company Creates Forensics Tech That Helps Solve Crimes (And Is Probably In Your Fave True Crime Show) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

How can scientific equipment help solve vexing problems?

Sorry, mystery writers, it turns out ice does leave a trail of evidence.

A pretty long one, too.

According to Dan Talbot of Thermo Fisher Scientific, some ice can even betray secrets from hundreds of thousands of years ago. This can be pretty useful when it comes to deciphering some of the Earth’s most daunting climate mysteries.

And that’s exactly where Thermo Fisher instruments come in.

Talbot is an Ion Chromatography Applications Specialist at Thermo Fisher. If you’re like most people and have no idea what that entails, have no fear! To the non-scientist, that means he works with instruments that facilitate the reading of, among other things, ancient ice cores. Thermo Fisher, the world leader in serving science, works on groundbreaking projects like this every day.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THERMO FISHER AND APPLY FOR OPEN ROLES

How old is old?    

Now, we’re not talking “Ancient Rome” or “Imperial China” ancient, either. We’re talking way, way older than that. Some of these ice cores can be dated back 800,000 years.

In case you were keeping track, that’s 266 times older than Ancient Rome. It is literally 64 times older than the concept of farming. It is even four times older than humankind itself.

That’s right, Thermo Fisher instruments are basically a time machine when it comes to ice cores. We’re talking about a legit time machine that transports you back before the first humans roamed the planet. And Thermo Fisher employees are the intrepid adventurers who get to experiment and explore every day.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THERMO FISHER AND APPLY FOR OPEN ROLES

Looking to the past to study the present.

This is pretty exciting for everyone, but especially for Talbot. He lives and breathes scientific discovery, and he wouldn’t want it any other way. “My job is to help us anticipate the future by going back as far as we can go,” he says.

So, how does it all work? Well, the Thermo Fisher instrument analyzes the chemicals, metals, dust, and radioactivity in cylinders carved out of the many layers of Antarctic ice. That, in turn, can help scientists learn about peculiar weather events, planetary history, and even cycles of climate change.

Coupled together, these sorts of insights can have some rather massive potential impacts. “That gives us crucial clues to what’s happened in the past,” Talbot says. “We can start to make a distinction between what’s natural climate change, and what are changes that we might be causing.”

In that way, humanity is able to travel back in time and take a look at what actually happened in terms of the weather. This can help answer important questions. Was it ever really this hot before? To what extent have human-driven factors exacerbated climate change? How can we think about stopping—and potentially reversing—these changes?

There’s a lot more on the line than you might think when it comes to ice cores. But don’t worry, Talbot is ready for it. (You can see his journey here.)

You can join Talbot in that pursuit of scientific discovery, too. Click here to learn more about Thermo Fisher and apply for open jobs!  

The post My Job Involves Time Travel, 800,000-Year-Old Ice, And Studying Climate Change appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

It might be the ultimate career achievement for a college student—landing an amazing summer internship AND getting a full-time job offer.

You know if a company is doing things right by how many interns accept that job offer. Count global asset management firm OppenheimerFunds among that group. Two years ago, 100 percent of the interns they offered full-time jobs to accepted them. And that acceptance rate has stayed pretty steady since.

So, what do their interns love so much about OppenheimerFunds? To get the answer(s), we went straight to the source. Check out some of their reasons here.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR INTERNSHIPS AT OPPENHEIMERFUNDS!

1. Management listens to interns. (For real.)

“My supervisors sought to learn about my interests and how my goals aligned with theirs, as well as the company’s. They were open to new ways of thinking and flexible with how I worked.”

Emmanuel Graves, Infrastructure Engineer

2. Your co-workers make work exciting and—yes—fun.

“The level of collaboration and passion conveyed by the employees at Oppenheimerfunds really inspired me to challenge myself. Not only are people performing and executing at the highest level, but they are the most down-to-earth and humble individuals you’ll ever meet.”

Bryan Dominguez, HR Analyst

3. The company culture is too good to let go of.

“As an intern, my team at OppenheimerFunds worked so well together. I loved being surrounded by the culture there. Then I realized I’d be leaving all of that behind at the end of the summer.”

Steven Reilly, Business Development Services Analyst

4. You can’t get the same amount of experience anywhere else.

“One of the coolest things for me was working on assignments beyond my intern team project—I was able to add value to the company on a larger scale.”

Emmanuel Graves

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR INTERNSHIPS AT OPPENHEIMERFUNDS!

5. You make an impact at a global company—before you’re even a senior.

“During my internship, my colleagues valued my opinion and provided me with meaningful work that impacted a wide array of stakeholders. To be placed in a position where decisions have a ripple effect encouraged me to accept challenges and think quickly on my feet.”

Bryan Dominguez

6. You see your impact at work over the course of the summer.

“Every intern—no matter where they work—starts out being able to contribute a certain amount. With each project, you have to show what you’re capable of and establish trust with your team.”

Steven Reilly

7. You learn a ton of skills you never would have otherwise.

“My internship definitely prepared me for a full-time position at OppenheimerFunds. I learned close to 10 new software applications in the process, which helped me define where I wanted to go next.”

Emmanuel Graves

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR INTERNSHIPS AT OPPENHEIMERFUNDS!

8. Your team believes in what you can do.

“When you’re given an internship opportunity here, it means the company sees your potential. You have a chance to really show people what you are made of.”

Bryan Dominguez

Want to learn more about how these former OppenheimerFunds interns got a job offer? We’ve got you covered.

Click here to read Emmanuel’s story.

Click here to read Bryan’s story.

Click here to read Steven’s story.

And finally, click here to start your own story at OppenheimerFunds! Their Summer 2018 internship applications just opened, and you can apply on WayUp now!

—

OppenheimerFunds is a leading global asset manager dedicated to serving the diverse needs of our clients that range from institutions to financial advisors to individual investors.

The post 8 Reasons I Accepted A Full-Time Job Offer After My Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Just a few years ago, if you told candidates from JPMorgan Chase’s Technology Analyst Program that they’d be working at a bank after graduation, they wouldn’t have believed you. After all, they majored in information technology and information management systems—not finance. So what changed? We’ll let them answer that. This three-part series takes you inside the tech careers of JPMorgan Chase employees. First up: Alyssa Alleyne-Atherly

What do you do at JPMorgan Chase?

I just finished my first year as a Software Engineer in the Technology Analyst Program, a program for recent college grads that ends with a job placement in a specific department. Software engineers in the program focus on improving the design, analytics, development, coding, and testing of JPMorgan Chase’s software and products. Right now, I’m focused on automation, which is where technology is moving. It’s a hot topic and we are looking at new ways to deliver on this for our clients and customers.

If someone told you a few years ago that you’d be working for a bank, what would your response have been?

I always associated a job at a bank with being a teller. I never realized there were so many opportunities for a technology career. Until you’re in it, you don’t really think about all the technical work that goes into a transaction. It’s this technical work that allows us to creatively support millions of customers, clients, and employees worldwide.

Can you give an example or two of how JPMorgan Chase has helped you grow as a professional since you joined?

When it comes to technology, you have the opportunity to wear so many different hats here. We have an agile work environment where we’re always interacting with team members, learning from each other, and working to solve problems together. You might expect to find this type of environment at a startup, not at a large firm. But, it definitely exists at JPMorgan Chase.

What are some of the coolest things JPMorgan Chase does with technology? 

We’re using machine learning to help make recommendations for investment banking and to help review legal documents. On the consumer side, we were the first company to implement cashing checks by taking a picture of them. Now, you can even access Chase ATMs without using your debit card.

Ready to start your technology career at JPMorgan Chase? They’re hiring on WayUp now!

The post JPMorgan Chase Tech Career Spotlight: Meet Software Engineer Alyssa Alleyne-Atherly appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Recently, we teamed up with three former OppenheimerFunds interns who landed full-time jobs with the global asset management firm after graduation. Today’s post is from Emmanuel Graves, who graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Now, he’s working in Infrastructure Engineering at the company’s Denver, Colorado office.

I knew I wanted to work at OppenheimerFunds when I saw the value they placed on their employees. My supervisors sought to learn about my interests and how my goals aligned with theirs, as well as the company’s. They were open to new ways of thinking and flexible with how I worked.

One of the coolest things for me was working on assignments beyond my intern team project—I was able to add value to the company on a larger scale through real-time development projects. It was a great opportunity to learn what it meant to be a Solutions Engineer.

Ready for Full-Time

My internship definitely prepared me for a full-time position at OppenheimerFunds. I was provided the tools to innovate and create and I enjoyed being part of a team. I also learned close to 10 new software applications in the process, which helped me define where I wanted to go next. At the end of the summer, my team and I got to present our intern project to some highly regarded executives.

My Advice for Turning an Internship Into a Career

My best advice is to appreciate the people around you. Add value to more than just the task at hand. Go above and beyond. Have a “can-do” attitude. Be yourself.

Want to start your career at OppenheimerFunds? They’re hiring now, so head over to WayUp and apply!

More from OppenheimerFunds:
4 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Interning at OppenheimerFunds
How I Got a Tech Job at a Global Asset Management Firm
How to Stand Out, Be Productive, and Learn a Ton (According to an Intern Mentor)

The post How I Went from OppenheimerFunds Intern to Full-Time Engineer appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Leading manufacturing company Gates may have built a reputation around its power transmission belts and products for oil and gas engineering, but there’s so much more to their story. In fact, we guarantee you’ve used more than one Gates-powered product without even knowing it. As the team at Gates says, “if it moves you, there’s a good chance Gates has a part in it”. And they mean it.

Don’t believe us? Read on. And once you’re convinced, head on over to WayUp and apply to join the Gates team.

1. That escalator you rode at the mall this weekend.

If it weren’t for Gates, you might be stuck taking the stairs. That’s because they power the technology that helps you go up and down (and up and down again), whether you’re in the middle of a marathon shopping trip or making your way up to the nosebleed seats at a basketball game.

2. That camera you (or your parents) used to document your last family vacation.

Gates also powers those moments that call for something a little nicer than a smartphone camera. Thanks in part to their work, you can document that sunset on the beach, or mom and dad can take a family photo (or ten) for next year’s holiday card.

3. The kiosk where you rented a DVD for movie night.

Ever made a run to the grocery store with friends to pick up snacks for a Friday night movie marathon and stopped at the movie rental kiosk on your way out? Gates powers those machines where you can push a few buttons and pay less than the cost of a candy bar to rent the perfect film.

4. A virtually maintenance-free replacement for your bike chain.

Bike chains are oily, rust easily and require a ton of maintenance. Because of that, you can’t always just hop on your bike and go without doing some work on your ride first. But the Gates Carbon Drive is making all of that maintenance a thing of the past for everyone from city commuters to mountain bikers. Gates’ belts are reinforced using carbon, which means they don’t need grease, last way longer than any bike chain on the market and provide a smoother ride. That means you can skip any pre-trip repairs and get right to pedaling.

5. Oh, and your car.

… and your bike, ATV or motorcycle if those are more your style. If the place you want to go isn’t walkable, you’re probably using Gates to get there. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a cross-country road trip, heading to your friend’s house a town over or going off-roading. Gates is there to make sure you and your passengers are going forward, backward and any direction you need to go. Bonus: Gates also powers the machines that pour cement, so you can thank them for the sidewalk where you ride your bike, too.

Surprised that you’ve already used plenty of products powered by Gates? Ready for a job where you’ll be working on amazing (and amazingly useful) innovations every day?

If you’re ready to jump-start your engineering career with Gates, then check out their open roles like Safety Intern, Operations Engineering Intern, and Quality Assurance Engineer on WayUp.

The post 5 Unexpected Everyday Products This Company Powers appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Todd Wilson knows the finance industry has a reputation for moving slowly and being averse to innovation. He just doesn’t see it that way from where he sits at American Express.

Todd, who graduated with a master’s degree in information systems management from Brigham Young University, manages a team of iOS, Android and backend java engineers. It’s their job to take mobile features from design and ideation all the way to deployment (and the hands of cardmembers).

Interested in pursuing a career in mobile engineering? Here’s an inside look at why AMEX is a great place to do it.

Doing Things Differently

When Todd was interviewing for his job with AMEX , the company’s dedication to digital initiatives and commitment to good engineering principles immediately stood out to him. “At the time, you could tell that other brands weren’t doing native mobile development,” he says. “I was surprised by what AMEX had already accomplished.”

As a mobile engineer he’d be challenged every day to exceed consumer expectations of what a mobile banking app could do. So he accepted that job and did exactly that. Recently, Todd received his company’s Edward Gilligan Award for Innovation, which is given to an employee who goes above and beyond to serve cardmembers. So what was his award-winning idea?

Connecting with Customers

“I wanted mobile app users to be able to chat with customer support directly from the app,” he says. The idea may sound simple enough, but the execution was far from straightforward and involved teams from across the company. There was the process of adding a chat engine to the mobile app. Then there were trainings to make sure customer services reps were prepared to assist users via mobile chat. And of course there was a whole lot of software engineering work to be done.

All that hard work and cross-team coordination paid off. AMEX cardholders were excited to use the new feature and the majority of users gave mobile chat a five-star review.

Hard Work, Big Reward

“Doing something meaningful is hard,” says Todd. “It takes a lot of creativity and navigating regulations because everything you do touches millions of people.”

For Todd, who worked his way to a manager position early on in his career, the opportunities for personal growth at AMEX have been amazing. “Maybe there are easier jobs, but to be successful here, I have to stretch and grow,” he says.

That’s a career approach we can all appreciate.

Interested in a career with American Express? They’re hiring. Head this way to check out open positions and apply!

The post A Mobile Engineering Manager Gets Real About His Job at American Express appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Stephanie Cruz started as a business major at the University of Florida. However, part-way through her college career, she decided business wasn’t the right path for her. She knew it was a risk (and a lot of extra work) to switch to a dramatically different degree program, but computer science was calling her name. It turned out to be a very smart move when she landed a job with American Express after college. Here are five reasons Stephanie knew she found the right career path and company.

1. A Small Company Feel

When she was starting her post-college job search, an open software engineering role at American Express caught Stephanie’s eye. Some of her friends had interned there and loved that it had the feel of a small company—despite having over 50,000 employees. When she started working there, it was immediately clear that her friends were right. “I never feel like I’m not allowed to approach someone,” she says of the team environment. “It’s such a big company, but we’re all interacting with each other.”

2. Room to Grow

Stephanie’s job at American Express revolves around writing code for software that will impact millions of people. She also has a lot of flexibility with her career path since her role combines both creative and analytical thinking, something Stephanie knew she wanted in her first job.

“If you want to explore another interest of yours, they’re definitely supportive,” she says. “My manager has given me other responsibilities, from project management to UX and UI design to working with our interns. It never feels like I’m tied down to one career here.”

3. A Top-Notch Training Program

Training recent college grads at the start of their jobs is one thing. Building out a training program that lasts the whole year is another. Stephanie—along with all engineers hired out of college—went through the company’s Engineering Development Program. The program teaches new engineering team members a mix of technical, mentorship and leadership skills through sessions scheduled throughout the year.

This approach to training also helps employees feel included from day one. “It provided an immediate community to be a part of,” Stephanie says. “I started building a professional network and even developed friendships through the training program.”

4. A Dedication to Innovation

You might think hackathons are reserved for small startups, but Stephanie says they’re an important part of the tech culture at American Express. “Some of the coolest projects have come out of our hackathons,” she says. And there’s nothing like a 24-hour coding session with the goal of building a prototype to make you feel connected to your coworkers!  

5. The Chance to Give Back—in a Big Way

American Express has a range of employee networks, but one in particular made the biggest impact on Stephanie’s time there so far: Women in Technology. Through Women in Technology’s CLIMB student outreach program, Stephanie and her coworkers head to local middle schools to teach girls how to code or help them learn a new programing knowledge.

In fact, American Express was named a “Top Company for Women Technologists” by the Anita Borg Institute, which runs the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing—the largest gathering of women technologists in the world.

“I’m able to have an influence on the younger generation.“ she says. “It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve done.”

Interested in a career with American Express? They’re hiring. Head this way to check out open positions and apply!

The post Why This Software Engineer Chose American Express for Her First Job Out of College appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Did you know that Amelia Earhart made history in a Lockheed Martin aircraft? Her 1932 record-breaking, non-stop, Atlantic Ocean-crossing solo flight happened on board the Lockheed Vega. Flash forward 85 years, and Lockheed Martin’s support of women in aviation is stronger than ever, powering both pilots and employees who’d rather work with their feet firmly planted on the ground. Here are three things that define Lockheed Martin Aeronautics’ support of its female workforce.

1. Leadership You’ll Look Up To

Meet Marillyn A. Hewson, Lockheed Martin’s chairwoman, president and chief executive officer. She also happens to be Forbes’ 2016 “Third Most Powerful Woman in the World”. Hewson, who joined the company in 1983, has added billions to its value in her three-plus decades working there.

2. An Emphasis on Making Everyone Feel at Home

Lockheed Martin is a big believer that making every employee feel valued starts from the top. That’s why they run inclusion workshops and training sessions for management-level employees to create a welcoming, supportive company worth building a career at.

3. … and Training the Next Generation of Female Leaders

From events like its Women’s Leadership Forum to a Leadership Development Program, you’ll be in great company while you’re chasing after those career goals. You’ll also get plenty of chances to network with people who are eager to help you get there.

4. A Culture of Welcoming Feedback

Despite everything they’re already doing to support female employees, the team at Lockheed Martin also knows there’s always room for improvement. That’s why they humbly ask “what can we be doing better?” when it comes to employee happiness. Although, would you expect anything less from a company that’s been  improving their approach to building game-changing aircraft for more than 100 years?

Ready to start your path to becoming an aerospace ladyboss? Learn more about working at Lockheed Martin here. 

The post This Company Has Supported Women in Aviation Since the 1930s appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you’re an engineering major, you’ve probably been studying innovative products, people and companies since freshman year. But how many times have you gone behind the scenes of a company’s actual approach to innovation and got an inside look at how a game-changing technology goes from creative idea to reality? When we think of innovative engineering teams, one of the first companies that comes to mind is Gates. They’ve built a reputation as industry leaders for power transmission belts and oil and gas engineering products, but they’re also behind amazing technologies like a virtually maintenance-free replacement for bike chains called the Carbon Drive System.

To see how innovation works at Gates, we talked to Charles Ochoa, Manager of Advanced Material Development. Ochoa has worked in engineering at Gates for 26 years, so he’s the perfect person to take us behind the scenes. Here’s what he had to say:

Why did you choose to become an engineer at Gates?
When I interviewed, I found the position and technology unexpectedly challenging and interesting. I was looking for new challenges, and [working with] material and product technology gave me that opportunity.

How does Gates support innovation within its engineering team?
Obviously we’re a business, and our technology innovations must also have a business goal. When there’s enough of a business case, Gates supports the engineering team. We want to have the best technology for our customers, and our leadership supports investments in education, personnel and laboratory capabilities.

How do you come up with your most creative ideas for new products or improvements to existing products?
There are several approaches to creativity, but there’s no formula. The key is to be inquisitive and be open to thinking of new ideas at any time. In talking with other engineers, we find inspiration while jogging, walking around the factory, while working in the garage, or even while shopping at Walmart. Inspiration can be where you least expect it.

What was your favorite Gates product to work on and why?
Over the years, I’ve enjoyed working on automotive applications the most. Working directly with most of the major car manufacturers in the world on new technologies that will be in our future automobiles is very exciting.

What do you consider to be the first step to building a new product?
Gates, like many companies that design and develop new products, has its own product development systems. But I would bet that all successful companies determine the Voice of the Customer (VOC) early in their process. Listening to what your customer wants and transforming that into engineering specifications and ultimately the product the customer is happy with is the first step, and should be a consistent theme throughout the development process.

What is the product development process like? How long does it typically take to go from initial idea to completed product?
We use the Stage Gate® process, and like many, our processes include brainstorming, Six Sigma tools, design validation, etc.  It is a cross-functional process, with many people who contribute to the product’s success. There are many levels of complexity, so some product development can be a 6-month process, while inventing completely new material chemistry can take two years or more.

What are the most important things to keep in mind during the product development process?
I’ve found that the most important things are:

1. Clear goals
2. Clear leadership
3. Teamwork
4. Communication
5. Understanding the voice of the customer

What is the most memorable thing you’ve learned as a Gates engineer?
Teamwork. My most significant developments have come as a result of working with a great team. With outstanding teamwork and leadership, we can accomplish amazing things.

What advice do you have for aspiring Gates engineers?
I know this sounds old-fashioned, but throughout a career in product development, there will be failures. But these failures can lead to your best successes and your best educational opportunities. How you handle failures and successes is important. Also, “soft” skills like listening, communication, personal integrity and overall work ethic will be at least as important as your technical capabilities.

Want to join Charles Ochoa and the innovative team of Gates engineers? They’re hiring now! Check out open positions at Gates on the righthand side of this page. 

The post Behind the Scenes: How Gates Engineers Make Innovative Ideas Happen appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

$1 billion. That’s how much UPS invests in technology initiatives every single year. Surprised? A lot of people think UPS is all about delivering packages in those iconic brown trucks. But there’s so much more to this company than meets the eye—especially when it comes to a career in IT. The UPS IT team is thinking outside the [cardboard shipping] box and building some amazing things together. And they’re hiring summer engineering interns now.

Automating the Perfect Delivery Route

In a single day, UPS delivers 19.1 million packages and documents to people around the world. All those deliveries require a level of coordination that’s impossible to achieve manually. That’s why engineers at UPS built ORION, a system that determines the ideal route for each driver before they even step into the truck. It only takes seconds for ORION to work its magic, which means drivers are always armed with the most up-to-date delivery information. Even more impressive? This game-changing system sorts out tens of thousands of routes per minute (and all UPS customers see is the end result of on-time delivery).

Putting Artificial Intelligence to Work

Want instant help when you’re looking for a UPS store location or need to track a package? Just ask a chatbot. The UPS IT team launched a chatbot for UPS.com, and we’ve got to say, it’s one of the more useful chatbot ideas we’ve seen. Anyone can use the AI-powered bot to access shipping rates, tracking information and other useful information without clicking through the site. Plus, the chatbot’s approach to understanding natural language is only getting better. The more people ask it questions, the more it learns and the better it responds.

Going Above and Beyond with Drones

Drones may be great for capturing eye-catching aerial photos, but at UPS, they serve a much bigger purpose. The highest warehouse storage racks are now easier to reach than ever. Thanks to some creative programming experiments, UPS drones now do fly-by warehouse checks to monitor stock and available storage space. Far beyond the warehouse, UPS is working on engineering drones that assist with humanitarian aid by delivering packages to hard-to-reach areas.

And that’s just a small part of what UPS’ IT employees are building together. Ready to join them? Head over to WayUp now to check out open jobs at UPS.

The post This Company’s IT Team Builds Chatbots and Tests Drones appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

TripAdvisor isn’t your parents’ vacation-planning guide. At least not anymore. This Boston-based company is on a mission to make planning travel as easy and option-filled as possible, and they’ve rolled out some pretty smart innovations to get there. When it comes to technology and travel, here are four things TripAdvisor engineers know to be true.

1. Crowdsourcing is the New… Well… Everything

What information would you trust more to help you plan a vacation? Fancy photos and descriptions on a hotel or tour company’s website, or honest reviews and advice from travelers who’ve been there? The TripAdvisor platform is powered by community crowdsourcing—hundreds of millions of unique site visitors per month if you’re counting. And those reviews cover things like activities and restaurants, not just hotels. Plus, their approach to separating genuine reviews from sneaky hotel staff members posing as happy guests is only getting better.

2. The Fewer Steps to Booking a Dream Vacation, the Better

We don’t know about you, but by the time we’re nearly done planning a vacation, some major decision fatigue has set in. TripAdvisor’s engineering team is working to make the hotel booking part of travel decisions a little easier with their TripConnect instant booking tool. When the company’s hotel partners add the tool to their TripAdvisor page, users can do their research, make a decision and finalize plans all in one place. No stress needed.

3. Big Hotel Chains Aren’t Always the Best Option

Shhh. Don’t tell the chain hotels, but sometimes independent hotels and bed and breakfasts are a better way to go, and they deserve a fighting chance at our attention. To make sure the little guys don’t always get buried under the hotel heavy-hitters, TripAdvisor’s engineering team built a way for all hotels to compete for a top spot in the site’s “explore similar hotels” feature. Now, hotels can bid for their time in the spotlight and a chance to steal a guest’s attention away from their original hotel choice. Game on. Very clever, TripAdvisor.

4. The Boston Tech Scene is Highly Underrated

Move over, Silicon Valley. Companies like TripAdvisor are helping Boston grow its reputation as a top tech hub, and points 1–3 only scratch the surface of what they’re creating.

Ready to “book” an interview with TripAdvisor? They’re hiring for positions like Desktop Support Technician Intern, Recruiting Coordinator and participants for their MBA product management rotation program.

The post Attention Engineers: Meet the Travel Company That’s Shaking Up the Vacation-Planning Process appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you’ve recently graduated or are gearing up for graduation with a degree in computer science, data science or something similar, congrats—you’ve got a super exciting time ahead of you! Your skills and talents are highly desired and they’re also in short supply. Get ready for a whole lot of companies to try to persuade you to work for them (it’s pretty much as competitive as D1 athletics).

But there’s one company you may not be considering just yet, and it just might offer the best opportunity for recent engineering, developer and data science grads: Philips Lighting.  

While you may know Philips Lighting as the company that produces those lightbulbs your parents somehow always forget to pick up at the grocery store, they’re doing a whole lot more than that. For aspiring engineers, data scientists and developers, Philips Lighting serves up all the perks of working at both a big, enterprise company and an innovative startup—all wrapped into one workplace.

Here are a few reasons Philips Lighting could be the perfect place for you to work.

They’re Leading the Charge on “Connected Lighting”

A few years ago, did you ever think people would be using a smartphone to control the lights in their apartment? Thanks to Philips Lighting, that’s now a reality. Their lights work with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Homekit and other IoT platforms to give people even more control over Hue’s LED technology. That means anyone can buy a kit and download an app that lets them control all lights in a room or an entire house without lifting a finger (or just by tapping their phone).

… And Helping Whole Buildings Save a Ton of Energy in the Process

Philips Lighting isn’t just a manufacturer, they’re also an innovator and a partner to other companies. That means you’ll get the chance to apply your developer and engineering skills across an array of different product areas that extend well beyond just back-end and UX/UI programming. And you’ll see that work in action on a big scale. For example, Seattle’s ATLAS Workbase just selected Philips Lighting as a partner to digitize the lighting controls in its office. Talk about work that tons of people see all day, every day.

You’ll Be Working on Amazing Projects Out of the Gate

No busywork here. Employees at Philips Lighting get the opportunity to work on exciting and challenging tech projects from the beginning. That means you’ll be learning a ton and making a huge impact from week one. So get ready to dive right in.

Convinced that Philips Lighting is the ideal place to grow your engineering or data science career? They’re currently hiring for role like Complex Systems Data Mining Intern, Engineering Technician Intern and Design Engineer Intern.

The post This Lighting Company is the Perfect Place for Engineers and Data Scientists appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Dear Boston,

You might feel overlooked as a tech capital sometimes, but don’t worry, we know the real story. So many brilliant, game-changing ideas got their start in Boston (and your dorm rooms in Mark Zuckerberg’s case). The companies and employees that call Boston home are working to disrupt entire industries on a daily basis, from robotics to healthcare to the way we use the internet. That’s not something you’ll find in most cities. Heck, MIT has an entire museum dedicated to incredible thinking.

Beyond that, the culture you’ve built around tech might be the most collaborative one we’ve ever seen. You even have HubWeek, an annual festival that brings all of your brilliant people and their brilliant ideas together to share their work with the rest of the city. I mean, look at this festival description. C’mon now:

“An unparalleled concentration of brainpower, ingenuity, and creativity. A shared belief that collaboration accelerates innovation. A festival built by a community of smart, creative and curious people–for smart, creative and curious people. People like you.”

That’s enough to make even the most cynical among us feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

You also had a big year last year, Boston, with startups popping up all over the place, from e-commerce and gaming to software and on-demand services companies. Oh, and no biggie but GE announced it was moving its HQ from Connecticut to your Seaport district last year. Uprooting your HQ of more than 40 years is the sincerest form of flattery, you know. The tides are changing, Boston. Just ask these inspiring entrepreneurs. They’ll probably say they believed in your potential all along.  

So here’s to you, Boston. We have a feeling your legacy as a tech capital is just getting started.

Ready to make your mark on Boston? TripAdvisor is hiring for positions like Desktop Support Technician Intern, Recruiting Coordinator and participants for their MBA product management rotation program.

The post A Letter to Boston, the Comeback Kid of Tech Cities appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

We’ve gotta admit. When we first saw TripAdvisor’s Boston HQ, we were a little bit jealous. We even considered trying to convince their hiring team we were still in school just for the chance to intern there for a few months. We couldn’t help it. The temptation of lunch from a new country or origin every day was calling our names. Ultimately, we decided it was better to tell you why TripAdvisor is an amazing place to intern so you can apply. Sure, you’ll probably end up making us even more jealous, but we can handle it. We promise. Here are the top five reasons TripAdvisor engineering interns love what they do:

1. No Busy Work in Sight

Think you’ll spend the summer filing paperwork and filling coffee orders? Not a chance, TripAdvisor interns get to ship real features, just like full-time team members. That means your work will reach hundreds of millions of people. Whoa.

2. The Friendliest Competition in Town

Each year, over 70 interns from dozens of universities team up and tap into their creative sides for the TripAdvisor hackathon. Oh, and they get the chance to pitch their ideas to top execs. At a global company. For a dose of inspiration, check out last year’s hackathon projects here.

3. A Super Supportive Team

We’ll let former Software Engineering Intern Greg H. do the talking for this one. He said, “I thought my experience at Trip was extremely unique, and only happened because of the people I worked with.” Thanks, Greg! Engineering interns at TripAdvisor work one-on-one with a mentor during their summer with the company. Hear from more happy interns here.

4. A Community Connection

While the company is built around travel, it’s also in TripAdvisor’s DNA to give back to the communities where employees live and work. That’s why every intern class spends a day volunteering at a local organization.

5. The Chance to Be a Boston Tourist

New to Boston? Great!  With last year’s Summer intern class hailing from 60 universities, TripAdvisor made sure they were well acquainted with Beantown by the end of the season. Each year, interns get to explore the city’s landmarks on a scavenger hunt, and participate in another tradition that’s uniquely Boston: a duck tour.

Ready for an unforgettable engineering internship at TripAdvisor? They’re hiring for positions like Desktop Support Technician Intern, Recruiting Coordinator and participants for their MBA product management rotation program.

The post From Hackathons to Duck Tours: 5 Reasons TripAdvisor’s Engineering Interns Have the Best Job in Town appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The world of financial services is broader than you might realize – and your degree subject isn’t the most important factor when considering a career in finance. Take Abigail Carras, for example. She graduated with an Industrial Engineering degree from Columbia University and now works at Deutsche Bank, a leading global bank. Originally unsure of her long-term career path, she found her way through the bank’s rotational analyst program.

We got to hear more about how Abigail gained a comprehensive overview of the industry, built her personal network across different divisions and found a role that best fit her work style and skill set. Read on to hear her story.

Tell us a bit about your background and why you chose to work at Deutsche Bank?

Abigail Carras: After spending two summers in internship programs – one at a hedge fund and one at a State Department – I wanted to find a full-time role where I could merge those two sets of interests. I have a quantitative background but I’m also stimulated by learning about the world around me, and I like to interact with people.

Knowing that I wanted to build a strong foundation in finance, I started looking for a structured training program at a bulge bracket bank. While the summer internship program is a more typical path, I instead joined Deutsche Bank through the full-time recruiting program. I really connected with the people I met while interviewing and rotating through placements with several different teams helped me realize Global Markets was the best fit for me.

What do you do in your position and what is your division’s role within the larger business?

AC: I work in Deutsche Bank’s Global Markets division, which is our Sales and Trading business. My team is responsible for originating structured finance transactions for the bank. This means I speak with institutional investors to understand their strategic needs – things like higher returns, increased flexibility, or other tactical challenges – and help solve those problems.

What is something about your role and department that students may not know about?

AC: My role at the bank is a great example of the benefits of Deutsche Bank’s full-time rotational program. Since my position is not the typical role you would associate with Sales and Trading – for example, I am not trading equities or selling bonds – I probably wouldn’t have known to apply to this team right out of college. Instead, I realized I enjoyed the problem solving-oriented work in this seat once I was able to spend a month rotating with the team.

I work on a diverse range of unique transactions – from financing aircraft leases to securitizing auto loans to selling construction loans for solar panels. I feel like I’m constantly learning new things and getting exposure to different industries; it’s incredibly exciting.

What is the most rewarding part of your role and why?

AC: The transactions I work on can take many months to complete, and there are many points along that timeline when things can go wrong; the feeling of overcoming those challenges successfully is incredibly rewarding.

How do you feel your work gives you a sense of purpose?

AC: Having interned in other industries before deciding on a career in finance, I feel more of a sense of purpose in this role than anywhere else, and for me that comes down to the people. I work in a collaborative environment with colleagues who are incredibly intelligent and hard working. For me, it was important to find a job where I could discuss interesting issues and surround myself with people who pushed me to be the best I could be. That’s what I found at Deutsche Bank.

If someone was interested in pursuing the same role you currently have, what would be your advice to them?

AC: There are three things I’d advise:

1. Don’t be afraid to start networking and building your personal brand early-on! I spent my freshman and sophomore years of college going to all sorts of career information sessions on campus. Even if you are not applying for the internships yet, you will get to meet helpful people who can guide you. Networking not only helps increase your opportunities, but also helps you learn about yourself; hearing about others’ experiences can help you understand what you want out of your own future.

2. To stand out amongst your peers, it’s important to seek out opportunities that show you are genuinely interested in this industry. Internships are not the only way to do this; for example, consider participating in a stock pitch competition a club at your school is holding, or assisting a professor who needs help with their research.

3. The most successful people in a role like mine are those who have a perpetual hunger to learn about new things and a drive to chase opportunities. While you will need both quantitative acumen and strong communication skills in many of roles available in finance, it is really the hard workers and go-getters who I have found to be the most successful.

Does Deutsche Bank sound a place where you can make your mark? Head over to their company page on WayUp to learn more!

The post Here’s How One Industrial Engineer Landed a Job in Banking appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Back in January 2014, my fellow classmates and I were faced with a daunting task. On top of our portfolio classes, senior projects, electives and an Advanced Multimedia class (where we had to teach ourselves a programming language we were never taught before), we had to find, interview and secure an internship before April.

Of course, we had the help of our career services department, but I didn’t rely on them. I like to reference the saying, “if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.” But, I also like to advise, “know when to ask for help,” and “don’t be afraid of feedback.” I loved my career adviser. She helped me out so much by reviewing my resume, giving me internship leads, reviewing my cover letters and checking in on me. I was in her office at least 4 times a week during this time.

I am not the type of person to solely rely on one resource. While others waited and expected their career advisers to do everything for them, I was searching the internet looking for my own leads on internships. I wasn’t going to be the one without an internship. The one who didn’t graduate.

I looked through the internship postings and found a couple good ones in my area. I always jump on any opportunity I can find, so I signed up right away and applied to the listings I saw. I had signed up on other websites and applied on them as well, but no one ever responded to me. Even after I sent follow-up emails or calls: no response.

Within a few days, I got a response in my email from the Chief Technology Officer of an advertising company. He wanted to schedule a phone interview with me. I was excited! I finally had a breakthrough. After the phone interview, came the in-person interview. I went to the office and was amazed of how beautiful it was. Everything and everyone looked like they belonged in a magazine.

A half hour later, I secured the internship and was the future Digital Services Intern for Elias/Savion. I was also the first one in my class to secure an internship. I had a great time there, but that is another story for another post.

WayUp is filled with real, legitimate internship and job offers. There are real people posting them and real people responding to them. But, the thing is, you have to make use of it. No one is going to do it for you. But, ask for help when needed. If you don’t know how to word a cover letter, ask for help. If you’re not sure if your resume is in tip-top shape, ask for feedback. You’ll be glad you did!

The post How I Launched My Career as a Software Engineer appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, the Webinar has been postponed. We will be sure to update you with further information on a new date and time.

Microsoft, one of Fortune’s Best Companies to Work For, is now looking for interns to join their all-star team. Rated as one of the most highly regarded internship programs in the country by Glassdoor, you can bet this is a company you don’t want to skip out on. As an icing on the cake, Microsoft is a proud supporter of the Veterans community and seeks to provide a fulfilling work experience for America’s heroes. At Microsoft, employees are motivated and inspired every day by how their customers use their devices and services to find creative solutions to business problems, develop breakthrough ideas, and stay connected to what’s most important to them.

Here’s your chance to find out more:

Tune in on April 23rd at 5PM PST to Microsoft’s University Recruiting Team as they answer your questions on:

• Internships and entry-level jobs available at Microsoft’s Redmond, WA headquarters
• How to standout as an applicant and what the interview process is like at Microsoft
• Culture and what the employee experience is like on various teams at Microsoft
• Diversity and Microsoft’s commitment to building a global workforce
• …and much, more

Click the button to RSVP to Microsoft’s Be More, Do More! Webinar on April 23rd at 5PM  PST and learn from the experts. Have additional questions? Tweet us @InternMatch using #AskMicrosoft.

The post RSVP to Microsoft’s Veterans Internship Webinar appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Exciting news! InternMatch is hosting a Google Hangout with Aston Motes, the first employee at Dropbox. Hangout with us tomorrow at 6pm PST for a chat with Aston as we learn more about his personal journey from South Carolina to Silicon Valley, what inspired him to start his own business, and how to build an awesome career in the tech industry (including the scoop on how to choose a side project, what classes to take, and startups vs. large companies).

Steps to Hangout

1. Follow InternMatch on Google+ here

2. Tune in tomorrow via the InterMatch Google+ page at6pm PST (We’ll share a link with all of our followers

3. Spread the love by sharing this blog post

Questions for Aston? Hit us up on Twitter @InternMatch via #AskAston

Photo Credit: Magnus Jonasson via Flickr

The post Google Hangout with Aston Motes, Dropbox’s First Engineering Hire appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.