Scott Bye ’19 closing a deal.
Scott Bye ’19, CTS Logistics – Starting off from day one, our boss and Wabash alumnus Erik Ness told us that this internship wouldn’t be like the others. From day one, I was given responsibilities that most others receive training before actually doing for the business because all it takes is one screw up to lose $50,000 in this industry. I am interning for Commodity Transportation Services, CTS, doing logistics and freight brokerage work. To not bore anyone, we make sure produce goods (watermelons, onions, cantaloupes, etc.) get from shipping warehouses to Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, and a multitude of other distribution centers so their inventory can be restocked and sent to the very stores that we all shop in.
The job is challenging since we are the middle-men—between our customer and the truck that we hire to deliver the goods—and try to make our profit while keeping both sides happy. Being submerged into the business so quickly, there really wasn’t any room to learn slowly or get behind as the work can be very, very challenging. In just 4 weeks, I have learned more about this industry and the negotiating side of business than what I knew coming in.
In my short time working here, my interest in a career in the business field has only increased. Seeing how this company operates, communicates, and succeeds is all something that I can keep with me for the rest of my life and use to my own advantage and reference in the future. I would like to thank the Small Business Internship Fund for making this opportunity possible. On top of the incredible business experience that I have/will gain because of this, I will also bring back countless memories and 8 new friendships that will continue past my stay here in Phoenix. With work 6 days a week, we take advantage of our Sunday off-day and do something different every week—from hiking and tubing to indoor soccer and going to the Grand Canyon. All-in-all, I can truly say that this has been the best and most enjoyable summer of my life so far and none of it would be possible without Wabash and the SBIF.