So this week, one of my roommates starting talking about looking for a summer job. He says he wants to go work at a ski resort in Australia. Although it sounds like fun, and it definitely beats the job I had this summer (maintenance at a waste-water treatment plant, smelly) it doesn't really sound like my kind of thing. As I thought about ways I could avoid working the same place next summer, I thought of State Farm. Since I live in Bloomington (home of the corporate HQ), it would be a pretty accessible summer internship. And since I knew already that State Farm accepts a lot of interns for summer help, it would be a good choice. However, looking through their internship website, they don't have their engineering sector of work listed as needing help.
Not exactly what I was hoping for. But last year, I worked with three state farm employees in my Civil Engineering and Architecture on multiple projects. So I called up my teacher and asked for their emails. I'm now waiting for a reply on information about engineering internships that State Farm has to offer. Best case scenario, they'll let me know that they're looking for an intern for over the summer. If not, at least I'm looking for a job early. I think that because of our previous relationships, and their familiarity with me and my work, I have an edge over other people that could be looking for the same position I am. They could also provide a good corporate contact for my iEFX team. Hopefully something great comes out of this relationship.
I think internships are probably great ways to build up a network. You get real world experience as well as meet many other people in your field and others. If nothing else getting a job recommendation from an business you interned at would be a great help. Sounds like you have already created a small network since you worked with these guys before, and can use it to find out about internship opportunities and maybe even get an internship. Its cool to see a network being tested out and put in use.
ReplyDeleteDo you know what an engineer would do at State Farm? I don't, but I imagine they would mainly work on assessing situations and their risk using science and statistics, etc.
ReplyDeleteHow did you work with three State Farm employees before? Was this associated with your high school or did you do this outside of it? I am genuinely curious.
How was working at a waste-water treatment plant? How did you even get the job? I don't know how industrial Bloomington is, so I don't know if it is easy to get a job like that or if a family member or friend helped you out in getting the job.
You mentioned that you worked at a water treatment plant, how did you become involved in this it is a rather unique experiance? You seem to know a lot about state farm and have a passion for it, what brings out this interest? You mentioned that you worked on some projects with state farm employees, what projects did you work on, were they related to the company?
ReplyDeleteI am interested what an engineer would have to do with State Farm. Aren't they primarily a large insurance firm? Have you considered applying for an internship in more engineer friendly fields? Bloomington is a large town they are sure to have some sort of business that uses engineers and could be looking for interns. Also what do you expect to get out of a friendship with state farm for your iTeam?
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