Lucas Esparza ’19 Commodity Transportation Services –First and foremost, I would like to thank Wabash College and the SBIF for giving me the opportunity to work and grow as a professional this summer at Commodity Transportation Services (CTS). I would also like to thank my boss, Erik Ness ‘94, for giving me the opportunity to prove myself as a Wabash man and show him I can handle this line of work. It has been a great pleasure to work as a freight broker intern for CTS. I was able to extern with the company over winter break assisting them with marketing. After my externship, I was somewhat familiar with the business, but during my time this summer I have become far more knowledgeable about the company and logistics as a whole.

At CTS, a freight broker’s day starts early in the morning due to different time zones; the job can sometimes run late into the night depending on the situation. The whole objective is to find a truck that can move a product from point A to point B, in theory, it sounds very simple, but it can get a lot more complicated than it seems. In logistics timing is everything, so you have to keep direct communication with drivers to coordinate their pick up and drop off areas, along with any other problems that may occur on the road. This responsibility has helped improve my communication skills tremendously, along with my ability to problem solve. This business has a lot of variables, requiring a lot of critical thinking at a fast pace. The rigor of Wabash has prepared me to think quickly and efficiently so I may solve problems accordingly. Interning at CTS has taught me a lot about communication, negotiation, and problem solving, most importantly how to work effectively under stressful circumstances. This experience has not only helped me grow professionally, but it has also helped me grow personally. Freight brokering has enhanced my confidence to handle different situations that will arise throughout life. I feel all of these skills will help me in the future whether it is in logistics or any other career path.

One of the most rewarding parts of the internship is the ability to learn logistics and overall business from outstanding Wabash Alumni. Working along and learning from great men like Erik Ness ‘94, Adalid Cruz ‘14, Alex Cisneros ‘14, and Tyler McCullen ‘15 has made this experience that much better. These men have played a huge part in having a successful internship at CTS, and I cannot thank them enough. It is internships like this that not only help students gain experience, which will assist them in their professional endeavors, but also builds that strong connection to Wabash which adds to our great alumni network. I look forward to giving back in the same manner as these Wabash men, as well as the generous alumni who have helped make it all possible through the SBIF.