Had Khan ’19: LanguageOM – Getting selected as a Digital Marketing Intern for LanguageOM was an accomplishment I cherished thoroughly at the closing of my freshman year. When I first came to Wabash, I was told by many upperclassmen and peers that finding an internship isn’t the easiest when you are a freshman; and that not getting an internship at this time should not disappoint me. Nevertheless, with the invaluable assistance from Career Services I was able to land at that internship opportunity which I found to be the most coveted for myself. To work 8 weeks for a company based in Chicago was already a big selling point and I tried my best through my humble efforts to achieve this goal. I applied to almost a dozen other internships through Wabash’s online platform but the ones offered by the SBIF (Small Business Internship Fund) enticed my interest very greatly. Primarily because these internships are based outside the state of Indiana and as an international student, I wanted to spend more time exploring new places in the United States. As a student aspiring to go to a law school, I was looking for legal internships but soon realized that it might not be a bad idea to look into other fields as well. Getting out of my comfort zone to explore new things which might look out of reach and uninteresting at the first glimpse is what I’ve learnt the most after one year of Wabash’s liberal arts education.

LanguageOM is a Chicago and Beijing based company that focuses on providing professional English learning experience to young business professionals in China. The company being a startup got me even more excited while applying for the position. I wanted to do something that was not particular to one set of things done repetitively, rather I wanted to immerse myself in all sorts of environments that persist in a professional atmosphere. As a startup, LanguageOM was just offering it all. With the gracious opportunities given to me by the CEO of the firm himself, I was involved in performing market research on competitors, developing course plans, recruiting tutors and understanding the finances on top of taking care of the company’s coordination section. For coordinating, I utilized Microsoft Excel regularly which gave me an insightful understanding of the complexities that lie within that platform. Now I can do a lot more in Excel with much ease and efficiency. I will be taking a course on Excel next semester and hopefully the knowledge that I have gained from working on coordinating tasks this summer will give me an edge over other students.

Of the aforementioned duties that I performed, the one I liked the most was developing course plans. Essentially, course plans were the lessons I created at different levels of English language for the wide variety of company’s clientele; ranging from middle school children to advanced English speakers of China. I was able to polish my reading, writing, and critical thinking skills with this task which I believe would help me a long way, not only in my student career but also afterwards. After getting selected for this internship, I was pondering on one question only, that how would the things I learn here help me in law school and the legal field? Once I started working on the course plans, I realized the skills I am attaining by working on them would pave a path for me to excel in any profession. I met some lawyers to discuss about digital marketing and law, which I thought were polar opposites. To my astonishment, all of them affirmed that such internships only help in expanding one’s scope about various aspects of the law, which is the key to becoming a good lawyer.

Not just this, before starting my internship I was solely interested in the International and Constitutional aspects of the law. However, with this opportunity I realized how great the purview is for corporate and business law; and how well the business field merges with the legal one in this day and age. With all that I have learnt from my internship, I think it would not only help me in getting a good grasp on things in regards with the law school but also on the overall understanding of business, management, and finances. The things which are a must to be understood if one has to excel in any field they may choose. Furthermore, with this opportunity I was able to learn how to conduct myself in a professional manner at all times, something which many students lack when they first land at their professional jobs. The opportunity that I’ve been given by the SBIF is one that has had a definite impact on me and I am very grateful for the generosity with which I was given the stipend to make the most out of my internship experience.

Cole Crouch ’17 – I spent my eight weeks of summer ‘16 interning with Prof. Jeff Drury. We researched, co-wrote, and submitted an interpretative essay about Robert F. Kennedy’s “Statement on the Death of Reverend Martin Luther King, Rally in Indianapolis, Indiana” and his “Remarks at the Cleveland City Club.” Following King’s death, Kennedy delivered two speeches calling on our nation to adhere to nonviolence. We argued that both speeches, in conjunction, constructed a prophetic ethos that invested Kennedy with the authority to speak as a source of wisdom. In his prophetic voice, he used ultimate terms to exhort the audience to adhere to natural law, comprised of reason and justice, as a redemption for the sins of the nation that had condoned violence. Alongside our analysis, we explored Kennedy’s persona, the context that surrounded his speeches, and the legacy of his rhetoric.

Working together with Prof. Drury, I gained invaluable research and analytical skills useful for but not limited to the field of rhetoric. Using books and electronic sources made available through

Crouch ’17 at the Landmark for Peace Memorial in Indianapolis, IN

Wabash College’s Lilly Library, we ably completed our research. Prof. Drury and I divided the workload throughout the process to maximize efficiency and productivity. Also with his guidance, I developed my outlining, writing, and editing skills. As fall semester rolls around, I will apply these skills to my extensive senior seminar paper required for rhetoric majors. Finally, I will apply my newfound knowledge of the entire research process as I possibly apply for fellowships and post-graduates studies.

In addition to the tangible skills I developed through this experience, I discovered my profound respect for Kennedy as a political leader. I have an eagerness to continue studying Kennedy as well as the issues he was fighting to conquer in his final years. Kennedy’s compassion and wisdom and empathy for his fellow human beings typify his rhetoric and legacy as one of the greatest leaders in American history. Following the 2012 shootings at the Washington Navy Yard, President Barack Obama said, “What Robert Kennedy understood, what Dr. King understood, what all our great leaders have always understood, is that wisdom does not come from tragedy alone or from some sense of resignation in the fallibility of man. Wisdom comes through the recognition that tragedies such as this are not inevitable and that we possess the ability to act and to change and to spare others the pain that drops upon our hearts.” Perhaps this quote best sums up Kennedy and the desperate need for such political leadership in our country today.

Schafer ’17 with Executive Director, Neva-Marie Polley, and two LAS board members, Marshall Eldred (Frost Brown Todd) and Kendrick Riggs (Stoll Keenon Ogden)

This summer, I have not only played a part in representing the needy, but have also worked alongside the mostly genuinely kind people I have met. The Legal Aid Society of Louisville aims “to pursue justice for people in poverty” by providing free legal services to the most disadvantaged in the Northern Kentucky community. I began my internship at Legal Aid amid a busy fundraising season. Though the Legal Aid Society represents thousands of Kentucky’s citizens, they do no collect any fees or payment from clients. Consequently, Legal Aid depends of generous fundraising in order to continue helping the needy. This internship fortunately let me gain hands-on fundraising experience, instead of limiting me to making coffee and stapling papers. Among maintaining contact with clients, creating new & engaging marketing tactics for fundraising, or drafting grants & learning how to present the most relevant information with limited resources and time, I’ve expanded my skill set under Legal Aid’s Development Director, Julia Leist. The annual Justice for All campaign was looming, in which Legal Aid “aims to continue [their] mission to help low-income people resolve legal problems affecting their basic human needs and meet our commitment to securing justice, promoting economic and family stability, and reducing poverty in our community.” While working on this vital fundraiser, I’ve been able to meet some of Louisville’s prominent attorneys, who head the fundraising committee alongside Legal Aid. The board meetings for the campaign reaffirmed my aspirations for my hopeful career; lawyers happily and willingly working towards ensuring proper civil legal help by working on the Justice for All Campaign. I hope that I would become such a genuine and respectable lawyer who could break the modern stereotype so often associated with the profession The Small Business Internship Fund’s Legal Aid Wabash internship has helped me examine my desired career choice, allowing me to see inside a non-profit law firm and the legal world.

Some of my engaging experience happens while shadowing the overwhelmingly welcoming attorneys. Heading off to court with a Family Law attorney fills me with excitement in the morning and occasional sadness in the afternoon, after witnessing cases and clients. Bankruptcy teaches me how the law is not only for punishing, but also helping. Lastly, expungement reminds me that sometime people deserve a second chance. Shadowing these attorneys demonstrates to me how a lawyer can empathize with a client, and truly want to help those in need. I am thankful to Wabash, the SBIF, and Jeff Been ’81 for creating this internship and continuing to trust and reward Wabash men for accepting this position. My peer interns are all enrolled in law school, and, fortunately for me, have shared valuable opinions on law school and its atmosphere. These conversations force me to think critically about the next move after graduation. In addition to my colleague’s insight, attorneys also offered their experience after law school and practicing law. I’ve gained an improved impression of law school and the profession while working at Legal Aid and speaking with prominent attorneys in the greater Louisville area. I now feel more confident heading into taking the LSAT and actually beginning the search for Law School.

At Legal Aid, I can leave work and feel accomplished after helping others. This internship teaches me how a collective force of good can actually impact the world around it, which offers some hope for me during troubled times. I would like to thank the lovely people at Legal Aid, Eric Graninger, Jeff Been ’81, and the SBIF, who have all influenced my perspective of the world around me, and helped me reflect on my upcoming choices in life.

Steven Stark ’19: Smike Wallen Living – First, I would like to thank Wabash College and The Small Business Internship Fund for providing students like me this extraordinary opportunity to work for companies like Smike Wallen Living. For the past 5 weeks, I have worked for Smike Wallen ’90 and have been a part of the Smike Wallen Living Team. SWL is a small team of realtors, designers, and advisors that work with clients in and around the Greater Los Angeles area. The team works together to help ensure that their client’s goals are not just met but exceeded. I was joined with two other Wabash interns to assist and learn about their small, highly- successful business. Smike entrusted us with three significant projects, each contributing to a different part of the company. Even though we worked on each project as a team, each of us had our own unique skills to contribute.

I mostly contributed to the design aspects of SWL by designing postcards and mood boards, creating and executing a landscape design for apartment buildings, and having an artistic eye in interior design. Smike and Chad, both professionals, expanded my horizons in design for which I am grateful. The team also expanded my horizons by showing me parts of the business I have never experienced before. I had little experience about the real estate business coming into this internship. Now, I have learned what it takes to be financially self-sufficient by analyzing the professionals in their work environment and by completing hands-on projects in a real-life work experience.

Stark ’19 Enjoys a day off in Malibu

However, this internship has taught me far more than just work experience. Before landing my internship, I lived in Indiana my entire life. Now, I am living in a city full of diversity, 2,000 miles away from home. As a freshman, I thought that this possibility was far from my reach. I was wrong. I made the alumni connections, conducted my search fully, and finally earned the internship I was hoping for.  This experience as a whole has allowed me to grow exponentially on both a professional level and on a personal one. I have gained the confidence and the experience that will guide my career path and shape my future. I am beyond grateful for the SWL team, the Small Business Internship Fund, and Wabash College for believing in me. I have learned to appreciate these things and I encourage students to not waste an opportunity.           ​

Munir ’18 hard at work

Azlan Munir ’18- Analytics, Programming and Computer Science – Last semester, I was looking for an internship where I could apply my data analytics/programming skills in a vibrant business setting. Fortunately, I landed an internship with the Adorant Group where I did just that. The Adorant Group is a Chicago-based company which offers a software-based consumer finance platform which allows users to plan for retirement and other life events. During my time here, I’ve had a chance to work with some great people.Over the summer, I was assigned to work on three main projects. The first project involved predicting a consumer’s average case annual savings. Using data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), I conducted multiple regression analysis to predict an individual’s annual savings. This model is customizable so users can input their specific characteristics (e.g. income, housing, area of residence, number of earners) and have the results designed to their unique situation.

My second project was to predict a consumer’s annual net worth using other types of inputs. My model asks a consumer to input their age, marital status, investments in bonds, stocks, equities etc. and predicts their financial assets, liabilities and net worth. Using econometric techniques, we were able to narrow down an individual’s net worth using just a few inputs.

Finally, I incorporated these predictive models into our web platform using PHP programming language. My background in Java and Python certainly helped me learn and adapt to PHP environment. I was also fortunate to receive guidance from our CTO, an experienced software engineer himself. Other than the three main projects, I was also involved in UX testing of our platform and compared our platform’s mathematical models to our competitors. My work was crucial in providing a comprehensive financial picture to current and potential users of our platform.

Overall, this internship has been an excellent learning experience for me. I was exposed to multiple facets of consumer finance where I applied skills learned in and out of the classroom and learned new skills. The best part was working under a highly accomplished team, most with decades of experience under their belt. During this time, I also got a chance to experience Chicago city to the fullest which was refreshing in itself. I would like to thank the Career Services and the Small Business Internship Fund for this incredible experience.

Jordan Hansen ’18: Nantucket Bike Tours- As I searched for internships this summer, I knew I desired something that would directly impact my life. I was longing for an experience in which a person(s) would invest their time into me, propelling to reach my full potential. I was longing for an internship that prompted me to “buy into” the business in which I would become a part of. In doing so, I would be encompassed in an environment full of problem solving, lifelong lessons, team work, and influencing others.

The search came to an abrupt halt the moment I was introduced to the Nantucket Bike Tours internship with Jason Bridges ’98 and his wonderful wife, Courtney. To say it initially met my wants and need would be an understatement. Not to mention, I would be able to live and work on a beautiful island 30 miles off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean (Massachusetts) for the whole summer. With that, I couldn’t resist the experience and exposure to new things and opportunities all of which this internship would offer me. Thus, I jumped on the opening to apply for the position and luckily I was given an interview by Jason. He came back to interview potential interns on campus, and I accepted the next week. From there, the rest is history.

I am thrilled to inform you my Nantucket Bike Tour internship has thus far, five weeks and halfway, met and exceeded all my expectations. Expectations not just limited to the realm of small business but also leadership, and emotional intelligence (“EQ”).

Hansen ’18 and Hoekstra ’18 with Bridges ’98

With little to no prior experience with small business, I was intrigued to know that I would immediately be immersed in the environment. The hands-on exposure became our daily bike tour routine which included; control over the day-to-day operations of the business along with finances, communication, and logistics for each day. With that, I was engrossed into a new learning environment that provided beneficial insight into how to run a successful small business. Giving bike tours to hundreds of people around this 14×4 island has allowed me to learn many different things. With that being said, the first thing that I quickly learned that was that when running a small business, let alone a bike tour company, you are required always have a high-level of focus or be “on” at all times. Especially when coming into contact with many different people from all over the world, it is crucial that you are ready for whatever challenge that may be thrown at you. Whether you are involved with providing customer service, operating our bike tour booking system, or just walking through town, it is imperative that you are operating with a high-level of energy. In turn, it provides those you come in contact with a positive and memorable experience.

Along with high-levels of focus and energy, I have learned that a lot of what goes into small business “branding” goes back to community involvement and relationship building. Thus, becoming a part of a small business brand, Nantucket Bike Tours, we take pride in attending local events, charities, and any public outreach we can be a part of because not only does it give back to the town of Nantucket, but it positively voices what the Nantucket Bike Tours is all about. Our success in public branding boils down to — how well we can create relationships by remembering names, showing appreciation, and being genuinely interested in others in any public or private setting. Not only does this action help create new relationship you may not have had, but it also shows others you are taking the initiative to be a leader in your community.

One of my goals going into this summer was to refine and truly hone in on interpersonal skills. Skills within both simple listening and communicating in a business structured system, as well as maximize my potential as an all-around leader. Jason and Courtney make these personal objectives possible, along with delving into small business, because they make it a high priority to foster others personal growth. For example, at the beginning of the internship every summer Jason and Courtney present their interns with a copy of Dale Carnegie’s How to Make Friends and Influence People. Once given this book, as a team, we each read a chapter or multiple chapters a week and go into great detail the importance of the content and how to transfer that teaching into the real world. Some of the discussion we have had on this has been about your body posture, eye contact, how others will perceive you based on your reaction, and how genuine appreciation is always a key. Retaining all the information and discussing it is the easy part, but retaining it and then projecting it in a social setting is where the difficulty lies. However, after having two hour nightly conversations and debriefs about the material, along with making daily challenges to execute the lessons, it has allowed for much individual and team growth. Ultimately, not only does this make you more self-aware and more emotionally intelligent, but also it enhances your overall leadership and growth potential.

In addition to these great lessons and experiences, I have immensely improved my ability to make quick, confident, and effective decisions. I have learned that the business world is all about the hustle and work you put into your business. In this world, you cannot be complacent with where your business is. It is imperative that you train yourself so that when challenges or obstacles arise, you have a stable and set foundation for making decisions. With that, you have to become comfortable being put in vulnerable situations (as much as they may seem contradictory, it’s true). When you are put into a vulnerable scenario, it allows you to better understand your personal weaknesses. Becoming more calm, cool, and collected in vulnerable situations has truly allowed me to minimize personal weaknesses and become more self-aware. As a team, vulnerability may be depicted in a last minute booking, flat tire, or making a quick alteration to the tour route. However, by training myself and being open minded in vulnerable situations, I have been able to let my quick decision making ability flourish.

As I embark on my junior year at Wabash, and continue to ponder my career objectives, I cannot help but be fortunate to have this experience with Nantucket Bike Tours. I cannot thank the whole career service department, Mr. Scott Crawford, and most importantly the Small Business Internship Fund (SBIF), enough for providing me, and many other Wabash men, with these once-in-a-lifetime experiences and learning opportunities. You do not realize how positively impactful you are by providing each of us with opportunities through the SBIF program.

Experiencing Nantucket with Jason Bridges ’98 and his wife Courtney, as a whole, has provided me with copious amounts of insight and knowledge that will be crucial with me in whatever desired career path I take. Whether it’s learning how to properly introduce yourself, how to positively control a situation, or simply building relationships with different people, Nantucket Bike Tours has allowed me to engage and build a foundation to prosper as an overall leader and person.

George B. Pippen ’19: Smike Wallen Living- Although it is sometimes tough for freshmen in College to get an internship after their freshman year, Wabash, once again, defeats the odds. After my freshman year, I not only landed an internship, but it was paid for by a Wabash internship fund and was in Los Angeles, California.  I can honestly say that I do not know of any institution that has the same opportunities that Wabash Career Services provides. I started out as a timid freshman not knowing the difference between an internship, externship and a spaceship. After a few weeks of getting involved in Career Services programs, I had acquired skills that had allowed me to land virtually any internship that I desired (assuming I had the grades). Sure enough, internship season came along and I applied to those that I thought fit my aspirations. I ended up accepting an internship through Wabash’s Small Business Internship fund (SBIF) working for an alumnus who owns a real estate and design company in West Hollywood.

Pippen ’19 enjoys the California sunset with Stark ’19

Now, here I am 5 weeks into my internship realizing the opportunity that I have. Not many freshmen can say they spent their summer developing the essential skills to success while getting paid, in Hollywood. This experience has not only allowed me to grow in a professional aspect, but on a personal level. The purpose of an internship is to help build your resume and to decide if that profession is the one you want to hold onto for the rest of your life. And that is exactly what has been achieved. Learning the in’s and out’s of what it takes to run an extremely successful small business is an opportunity that not many people get to experience, especially at a location across the country. Although I have learned a lot about what it takes to run a small business and how to flip and design new homes, I believe that is not the most important aspect of the whole experience. The fact that I was given the opportunity to live on my own in a place that I had never been before, be given responsibilities that required me to take initiative, and most importantly pushed me to become a more driven, responsible, confident and adventurous person, helps me realize how amazing and unique Wabash College really is. Utilizing Wabash Career Services, in particular, has been a particularly invaluable experience for me, and it has paid off.   Programs, support, and opportunities Things like this Wabash College a special place and one cannot take that for granted.

James ’16 Displaying Product

Geno James ’16: StilL 630 – Over the past month thanks to the Small Business Internship Fund, I’ve had the opportunity to work with David Weglarz ‘03, owner and master distiller of the St. Louis distillery, StilL 630. I had absolutely no experience coming into the distillation business, and didn’t know what to expect. On the first day when I walked into the distillery, a heavenly aroma pierced my nostrils, and I was instantly captivated by all of the barrels and bottles and decor in my line of sight. The excitement hit hard, and needless to say, I knew this internship would undoubtedly be an unforgettable one.

I was not expected to learn every detail right away, but I knew I needed to in order to be an exemplary intern, and not an obstacle throughout the summer. Cleaning, mashing, fermenting, distilling, distilling again, barreling, aging, tasting, proofing, bottling, labeling, boxing and distributing are all such unbelievably intricate processes. If there is any kink in the system, it all falls apart. Every step is expected to be executed with absolute perfection, or else the spirits could be ruined. And the worst part? You won’t know for over a year once they’re done aging. It is all truly an art.
So, every day I come in to the distillery and begin the process of draining the contents of the still from the previous day, climbing into the still and scrubbing it until it’s spotless, transferring a fermentation into the still, then distilling that product. Some days involve throwing in a new mash to cook and cool then ferment for a bit, others involve several cleaning processes to make sure the tanks are clean. Occasionally, we’ll take samples from the smaller barrels that hold some experimentation products. Then, when we need, we’ll pull product from a barrel, proof it, bottle, label, and box it so it’s ready to be distributed to the market. But, every day is definitely a busy one. This internship keeps me on my feet and not behind a desk, and I’m very happy about that.
Earning this internship and working with David has definitely taught me that you really do have to find something you enjoy doing. Set your dreams high and your expectations higher. The first month has taught me quite a bit about running a business in whole, and unfortunately, I feel like the second half of my time here will come to a quick end. But for now, at least I’ve learned to appreciate and enjoy whiskey. And owning a small business.

Dorsuleski ’18 With a Client

Spase Dorsuleski ’18: CTS Pheonix – First and foremost, I would like to thank the Small Business Internship Fund and Commodity Transportation Services, CTS, in Phoenix, Arizona for giving me the opportunity to escape my comfort zone and broaden my horizons. I have attained a vast amount of knowledge about an industry I knew little about. What I have obtained at CTS is not just work related, but life skills as well.

There is no stronger tie than family, and that was shown throughout my time here at CTS. Whenever a task got difficult, there was always someone willing to help. Some of the tasks I have accomplished here with the family are covering loads of produce. There was a time where a truck bailed on me because they wanted more money, but the freight brokers here kept me motivated and we found a truck to cover the load. These loads, keep in mind, are produce such as watermelon, grapes, cantaloupes, etc. There is no time to waste because produce needs to get to and from a destination before it starts decaying. That is what makes the industry constantly changing and shifting. Sometimes rates were great, but the next week they would be unreasonable. That is where my patience was tested to try and find a truck where they wanted to drive at a rate where it was reasonable for me. See, I would describe myself at CTS as a middleman. I get loads from the customers, and then go try and find a truck that is willing to go to the customer, pick up the produce, and deliver it to a distribution center. It is crazy to believe freight brokers see none of this happening, but are in charge of getting everything delivered on time.

The job of a freight broker is challenging, but it feels good booking loads and receiving commission. As time progressed, the impact CTS has had on my career decision is priceless. I have enjoyed my time here in and out of the office. Furthermore, I recommend future students to take advantage of opportunities such as the one given to me. It will help create countless memories and friendships for life.