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I learned about the INROADS internship from a past INROADS internship
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 Netflix, and UPS have in common? These all
highlight instances of how companies can and have strongly positioned themselves to be
successful within a developing market, all of which was possible through Information
Technology Management.´ The IT Management field within the businesses industry has
caught my attention because I enjoy learning about business and economics as well as
learning about using and innovating new technology. I enjoy things like analyzing the
tools and techniques that companies like Netflix and UPS, use to make faster and more
efficient decisions and I find researching such information intriguing. My original interest
in IT Management began when I started working on installing software and updating
various computers that my friends and family owned. I knew I was going to need to start
working to pay for many of my school expenses during senior year such as college
applications, test study materials, and college the upcoming year. As a result, I decided to
begin selling my services through Craigslist.com to install and update computer software
and work on computer problems. I was surprised at how skilled I became at performing
these tasks and the amount of money I had made in such a short amount of time. With the
money I had saved from my profits, I began purchasing Apple laptops locally and buying
parts to fix problems they had or just installing new software and essentially refurbishing
them. I soon found myself operating a small business as I was constantly buying laptops
and then reselling them on eBay and Craigslist. I soon became a top rated seller on eBay,
and was profiting an average of $150-$200 per laptop and $2000 a month, which was
enough to start paying for my school expenses and start saving for college. Through this
experience, I discovered my zest for creating a business, no matter how small, and being
able to do what I enjoyed, which in this case was working directly with computers. I
experienced what making a profit and making connections to have a successful business
was like, but more importantly, I experienced how important it was to make the right
decisions knowing that I could lose a lot of money if I did not.





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As a first year student at the University of Notre Dame, academic policy prohibits
me from participating in any business-oriented classes until my sophomore year.
However, this has not hindered my ability to advance myself within the realm of
business. This semester, I have voluntarily taken an Introduction to Business course that
has expanded my knowledge in business, and more so, I have learned about the benefits
of extracurricular activities, such as professional development and business orientation
seminars, as it has increased my understandings of the business world. Additionally, last
semester, I actively participated in an Introduction to Webfolios class to reflect on
learning to document skills, set goals, make academic plans, and explore areas of interest.
In building my ePortfolio, I explored the various opportunities I had in my major and set
goals for applying to the INROADS internship. As a future employee in the IT
Management field, I have exposed myself to business-related environments by choosing
to participate in an alternative Spring Break, I participated in a Migrant Experiences
Seminar to go down to Immokalee, Florida and learn about the agricultural industry and
the implications for farm workers there. During this immersion in Immokalee, I learned
about the social responsibility that companies such as Taco Bell and McDonalds have
taken in ensuring that all workers involved in a level of their production are not exploited.
Through this experience, I learned that when working in business it is important to
recognize the working atmosphere of the people involved with your company¶s
production because it influences a company¶s reputation.
Aside from course work, I have increased my knowledge in business and my area
of study by becoming an active member of the Four Horseman Society at Notre Dame
and the Information Technology Management Club (ITM). Through the Four Horseman
Society, I have explored topics concerning innovative new technologies and the
entrepreneurial process. More so, I have attended events to network with speakers and
learn about topics such as venture capital and developing a business plan. In a similar
way, through the ITM Club, I have explored the pool of resources available to more fully
develop my academic, career, and social potential in this dynamic field of study.

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One of the characteristics about the INROADS internship that influenced my
decision to apply was that internships take place over 2-4 consecutive summers with the
same company. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to stay with the same company
because I know that it is important to develop good relationships and many times this
cannot be done over a single summer. Furthermore, when I enter the workplace, I am
going to want to hold a stable working position with one company. From this experience
I will gain an understanding of what working with one company and developing
meaningful relationships is like, which will prepare me for the decisions I have to make
when I enter the workplace and have to make decisions about job offers. This will also
allow me to thoroughly comprehend the nuances within a company because many times,
people¶s understanding of the company is what is relayed through media channels and
earnings reports. Beyond that, I think that by interning with one company over 2-4
consecutive summers, I will be able to learn about the benefits of working with one
company over a longer period of time and how I can move up in the company and take on
more responsibilities. Through the INROADS experience I would develop a holistic
understanding of the company from the inside out, and could possibly have the
opportunity to continue voluntarily working remotely on projects over the academic year
for that particular company. Finally, interning with the same company would give me the
opportunity to reflect and grow more from my past experiences in working with the
company because I would continue to gain knowledge and be able to successfully
implement it into my workplace each consecutive summer.

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I would be willing to dedicate time in the summer to attend INROADS training in
addition to my internship because I understand the importance of continually learning. I
do not see training as a requirement. Instead, I see training as an opportunity to gain new
professional skills as well as to develop the skills that I already have. These skills will
benefit both the company and myself, as I become a stronger intern and an integral part
of developing the company¶s diverse managerial talent, which will help the company to
become more competitive in its particular market sector. I see my opportunity to be an
INROADS intern as an opportunity to benefit INROADS itself by working hard, making
progress, and strengthen the relationship between INROADS and the company I work
with. Dedicating time towards my personal and professional development by attending
training sessions, networking events, and other business-related events to expand my
knowledge is critical to my success. I consider training to be a critical component of an
internship because it is relevant to the new industry I am entering, and I believe that there
are many things I can learn such as how to make ethical decisions and handle situations
politically correct. Consequently, the knowledge I would gain from these events would be
very valuable for fulfilling my professional goals because, in the future, I want to build a
non-profit organization to help struggling businesses and communities. I know that my
education at Notre Dame will greatly influence my success in my major of study, but I
have recognized that another significant factor will be the professional experience I gain
from internships. I look at working 40 hours a week as only the tip of the iceberg, and am
willing to devote upwards of 50-60 hours to my internship to truly maximize my
internship experience. I recognize that participating in the INROADS process is my
chance to develop my professional and management skills as well as gain the experience
I need to make the most out of my education.

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I would feel fortunate to have an INROADS advisor not only because it would
give me an opportunity to network and seek advice, but also because it would give me the
opportunity to make the most out of my educational and professional experiences in the
IT Management field. More so, as a first generation high school graduate and college
student in my family, I cannot always find the support I need to make decisions
concerning my academics or professional opportunities. Neither of my parents went to
school beyond the 4th grade and at their 55 and 38 years of age, my parents still have the
desire to get an education and still dream of what life would have been like had they had
that opportunity. I know that I do not come from an encouraging background, but I know
my life does not have to reflect this.
In applying to the INROADS internship, I am seeking to take advantage of having
an INROADS advisor that will help me with something as basic as academic advice
while I am at school because I understand that being successful in industry starts with my
academics. Beyond academic advice, I want to begin understanding how the business
industry works and an INROADS advisor could provide me with resources for
understanding the ropes of industry that I would not have had access to otherwise. For
instance, an advisor could help me develop a greater understanding for aspects such as
earnings reports for that particular company, and what factors drive those reports.
Seeking an INROADS advisor is important to me because I have realized that my life and
education will always be what I make of it if I seek out the resources and help I need to
accomplish my goals. By seeking the opportunity to participate in the INROADS
internship, I hope to find inspiration and encouragement in my INROADS advisor to
develop a plan for success and make the most out of my internship experience.

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After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, my goal is to begin working
full-time at a company, and I believe that participating in the INROADS internship would
be the best experience to prepare me for that. As an INROADS intern, I would be best
suited to enter the company and make a tremendous difference as a first year analyst
because I would know the intricacies in the company, which would minimize my
adjustment period. I understand that INROADS would prepare me to be a full-time
employee that could add more value to the company in contrast to another graduate that
is hired by the same company. By the end of my INROADS internship experiences, I
would have acquired the necessary and specific skills that are pertinent to my job, which
would make me an even greater asset to the company. I would be an investment to that
particular company and would ensure that I can do everything to be a valuable asset to
them and that I am successful in transitioning to a full-time position.

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My leadership style is one of my strongest attributes that has been shaped by the
people I surround myself with and the meaning I bring to the experiences in my life. I
believe my leadership strengths are my ability to take initiative when it is needed and my
ability to value everyone¶s opinion while making the best decision. I understand how
important it is to be open and willing to listen to others and always make it a point to lead
by example to instill these qualities in the environment I am leading in. I ensure that I
make timely decisions when it really counts and do not allow myself to become frustrated
nor impatient when others do not understand. With my leadership skills, I think I would
be prepared to fit into a workplace with mostly older people because I would be a
proactive leader and take initiative.
I have also learned about the importance of accountability from my first
experience with Information Technology. Through my experience in refurbishing apple
computers and reselling them I experienced accountability first-hand as I had to make the
right decisions knowing that I could lose a lot of money if I did not. Furthermore, this
experience helped me strengthen my technical ability. Understanding accountability is a
critical attribute for an intern because when a boss calls in and tells their employee what
they want, the intern is held accountable for meeting deadlines and successfully
completing the tasks. Finally, this experience enabled me to understand how time
management while working in the business industry is different than when working in the
school environment. It is different because in the school environment I have to manage
my time around my school schedule, but as an intern in the business industry, I recognize
that I will have to manage my time around the demands of my employer and plan ahead
for any unexpected tasks I may be assigned.
I hold this philosophy and leadership style because I know how vital it is that I do
not lose my cool under pressure and negatively affect those around me. When I am in a
leadership position, I make it a goal to use my strengths as an extroverted leader, but also
act as an introverted leader so that everyone feels like they have an equal opportunity to
participate. As an extroverted leader, I constantly use my communication skills to talk
with the people around me and ensure that the working atmosphere is welcoming and that
everyone is working as cohesively as possible. As a result, I am heavily involved in the
community around me because I believe this is integral to being successful in the
environment that I work in. Leadership to me means always doing what¶s right and best
even if it¶s not expected. I think about what the big picture is, and not just my individual
aspirations. I have discovered that the best way for me to lead is to allow myself to
absorb knowledge about what I am doing, regardless of what prejudgments I may have.
In terms of the areas I am hoping to strengthen, I want to gain more experience in
networking, business knowledge such as learning the politics of a big company, and in
communicating with different types of people from various cultures and generations of
people. I recognize that working with leadership executives vs. directors vs. peer analysts
all requires a certain degree of skill to navigate those relationships effectively. I think that
continually developing my networking skills is important because throughout my
internship experiences I will be meeting many people working in the same industry as me
who can be helpful to me later. As I begin to work in a professional environment, I want
to learn the ways that companies carry out operations, how the working style is different
from a non-corporate job, and how the company works as opposed to only learning these
things in the classroom. Working in a company also encompasses working in a
professional team environment I intend to strengthen this skill through my experience.
Additionally, I want to strengthen my knowledge and experience in communicating with
different types of people because communicating with a boss requires different skills than
communicating with a recruiter or another intern. Gaining experience in communicating
with different people is essential to me because as an intern, establishing relationships
with different people can be very helpful. I believe this because, for example, when an
intern has to complete an assignment, has no idea what to do and the boss is unavailable,
it can be very helpful to have relationships with co-workers so that they can advise or
support you.