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STUDENT EXPERIENCES
In the words of our interns...

 

 SHIMLA RIMA
Management Training Intern
M&T Bank 

I had the opportunity to complete the full-time M&T Bank Management Internship Program this past semester. I was first assigned the tasks of reaching property address discrepancies for home equity loans. I performed comprehensive reviews of bank servicing systems, loan documentation, and town/county records using platforms like Blue Zone, CoreLogic, and FileNet. I meticulously analyzed and validated data from bank vendors to ensure precision and reliability. Additionally, I accurately determined and verified property addresses for effective flood zone tracking. I also provided detailed overviews of insurance tracking functions related to mortgage and home equity loans within the department, ensuring all properties had adequate and up-to-date insurance coverage.

Inspirational Comment: This internship program has inspired me to follow my passions and gain a deeper understanding of the business environment that excites me the most. I'm incredibly grateful for my experience in the Buffalo State Internship Program, as it has set me on the path to monetizing my passion in the banking industry. Additionally, I am excited to have the opportunity to secure a full-time position at M&T Bank after my graduation in May 2025, where I will step into the role of a branch manager.

 

LISBET LOPEZ-PAZ  
License Management Intern
New Era Cap, Buffalo, N
Y

 My time as a License Management Intern at New Era Cap was an incredibly fulfilling experience. I had the opportunity to work on a wide range of tasks, from conducting inventory and sales analyses to working on creative projects like designing headwear for the NBA G-League Draft. Each day brought something new, and I loved the balance between technical work and creative freedom, especially when I got to see my designs come to life. I learned so much about the inner workings of a major company and how crucial details are in day-to-day operations. One of the highlights was being able to present my research and ideas to company executives, which really helped me build confidence in professional communication.

 It was amazing to see my work contribute to real projects. I’m especially grateful for the mentorship and support I received from my managers, who pushed me to take on challenges and trusted me with meaningful responsibilities. This internship not only allowed me to build my skillset in data analysis and project management, but also gave me the chance to build great relationships with my managers and fellow interns. Overall, it was an invaluable experience that made me feel truly connected to the company's mission and culture and I am truly grateful for everything I learned and the opportunities I was given.

Inspirational Comment: “After completing my internship with New Era Cap, I realized that internships can be such a factor in in discovering your true potential. This internship pushed me way out of my comfort zone into opportunities I never expected. I learned to trust myself and take full advantage of the opportunities given to me. For anyone considering and internship or taking this internship course, I can truthfully and confidently say that it can open doors and show you what you are truly capable of achieving".

  KENDRICK HAMPTON
Management Training Internship Program Intern
Wegmans, Amherst, NY

 The Wegmans Business Internship Program was an absolutely amazing experience. This program gave me multiple and different opportunities to not only learn the coursework but the knowledge and experience of business in a real-world setting. I had the pleasure to intern at Wegmans in their Seafood Department at their Alberta Drive location. During this full-time management internship program, I was given the opportunity to learn the business from a managerial perspective as well as understanding daily operations within the seafood department. I learned about the importance of the safety of our employees, customers and how to protect the Wegmans brand. I was also equipped with hands-on training within the seafood, rather that was shucking oysters, filleting fish and or cutting portions. I've gained knowledge of merchandising, product quality and so much more during this program. I previously worked for Wegmans at a different location within a totally different role and department then the one I was in this previous summer. Above is a photo of me and Colleen Wegman, the CEO of Wegmans.

Inspirational Comment: "I'm so honored that Buffalo State's Business Department provides a program such as this one. This program provided me with the opportunity to continue to advance my business career at Wegmans as well as make unique connections throughout the company. This program is amazing and the value that it holds is almost indescribable."

 

BERRIS HENRY
Social Media and Mentor Intern
Candles in the Sun Foundation, Buffalo, NY 
 

I accepted the social media internship position at Candles In The Sun Foundation, an organization established to uplift and motivate inter-city kids. I had the opportunity to help this non-profit foundation promote its mission by updating their website information, designing promotional flyers and creating various social media posts and ads tailored towards their desired audiences. During my time at Candles, I found a love for mentoring youth and became interested in child development. My internship tasks were expanded to include mentoring many of the young youth that come to Candles. I monitor and supervise the foundation’s youth’s extra-curricular activities, and have presented restorative circles with youth at high schools in Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

Inspirational Comment:  I found my passion with this internship experience!

 

AYDAN HANSEN
Assistant Project Engineer Intern
W.E. O’Neil Construction, Los Angeles, California 

I was fortunate to receive an assistant project engineer internship opportunity during the Summer with W.E. O’Neil Construction. This company is scattered across the United States with multiple projects under construction. I was lucky enough to be stationed out in Los Angeles, California for their newest and biggest project in company history taking place at LAX Airport. At this location, my team and I are expanding their Tom Bradley International Airport in preparation for The World Cup in 2026, and the Summer Olympics in 2028. This unique project has two construction zones. Zone One is our OCR yard located on the outside of the northern runway. Zone Two is our AOA yard which is in the heart of LAX where the international terminal is located. In Zone One, nine new terminal segments will be constructed. After a majority of the construction is completed, we will truck them one by one across the airfield to their final dropping destination in Zone Two with the AOA yard connecting them with the international terminal. Here we will make the final connections and finishes for the terminal segments.

As an assistant project engineer, I was tasked with a plethora of different assignments for this project that I learned a lot from. One of the first things I learned is to review submittal packages. We receive these from our subcontractors, review these documents compared to the owner’s specifications, once approved, we send them to the owner for final review/approval. Next, I learned how to do RFI’s (Requests for Information). Here I am either asking specific questions on a submittal or project drawings (Blue Prints) from the owner for confirmation on a specific item. Lastly, recording meeting minutes was also an important role of mine. In these meetings, I take notes of the important information and once approved, the minutes are uploaded to our CMIC system. 

 

 JORDAN COUGHLIN
Music Recording Intern
Stand Out Misik Recording Studio, Buffalo, NY

 My time as an intern at Stand Out Musik Recording Studio has been an eye-opening experience. From working with local artist's to shadowing the head engineer, Casso, I’ve learned a lot throughout the course of my internship. During my time as an intern, I had the opportunity to record vocals for local artists, as well as mix various songs and prepare mixes for other audio engineers in the studio. This hands-on experience taught me a lot about the internal aspects of running a studio and the kind of work that is involved with helping musicians achieve the kind of sound they are looking for. This internship helped me realize the emphasis placed on customer satisfaction and efficiency when working on projects for our clients. I found it very valuable to be able to apply the knowledge I learned from my classes, in a practical setting, while also being able to work on something that interests me. 

Inspirational Comment: This internship program motivated me to be able to pursue my passions and understand the business environment that inspires me the most. I am very grateful for my time in the Buffalo State Internship Program, as it has put me on track to monetizing my passion for music.

 

 MATTHEW PURCELL
Marketing Intern
Buffalo Zoo, Buffalo, NY

  During my internship at the Buffalo Zoo, I completed a wide range of tasks. My assignments included addressing guest questions and concerns, training and assisting employees, troubleshooting computer issues, scheduling employees, and approving the timesheet process. I also gained experience in cash control. Each day, I had to verify employee drawers as well as compile cash profits and create a cash deposit bag for the bank while forwarding the information to accounting. I feel these are really important skills to add to my resume and experience list. Inspirational Comment: “I feel classroom knowledge and teachings come together and make more sense in real-world practice and experience, for me the Buffalo Zoo position in management was a perfect place for my major in business with a concentration in management to come together into a tangible experience. I would highly encourage all business students to pursue an internship to put class teachings to work.”

 Inspirational Comment: “I feel classroom knowledge and teachings come together and make more sense in real-world practice and experience, for me the Buffalo Zoo position in management was a perfect place for my major in business with a concentration in management to come together into a tangible experience. I would highly encourage all business students to pursue an internship to put class teachings to work.”

 

 ALYSSA FUENTES
Export Manager Intern
International Advising Network Group, Milan, Italy

  I wanted real-world experience as part of my path toward graduation. I found that with a small company that not only gave my hands-on experience, but also happened to be located in Milan, Italy. I wanted to work in the international market and also to experience a new culture. I accepted a junior export manager internship position with the International Advising Network Group (IANG) through the organization Global Experiences. Although I knew no Italian, I downloaded an app to familiarize myself with the language prior to arriving in Milan. I also studied up on Italian business culture and etiquette. That research came in handy. At lunch on my first day, my colleagues asked me what I knew about Italian culture. They were impressed with my answers. By the end of the internship, I had a firm grasp of the language, Euro statistics, and how a company such as IANG handles exports. She absorbed all this while taking two trains and bus—a two-and-a-half-hour commute—from her canal-side apartment to her office each day. It was hard, but I knew I was going to be a stronger person when I finished. I am in the process of applying to law school and searching for another internship. I hope to run my own import/export business some day and serve as the company’s legal counsel. 

Inspirational  Comment: “The biggest takeaway from my Milan experience is to take every opportunity that comes your way. No matter what happens in life, you must make the best of a situation and learn all that you can.”  

 

 
 

  ALEXIS REED
Assistant Accountant Intern
Hamburg Town Hall, Hamburg, NY


I spent the summer as an intern for the Town of Hamburg Financial Department. I worked directly under Town Hall’s financial director, as well as their senior accountant. I learned a variety of practical business skills that I was able to practice and advance throughout my internship experience. One of the main projects I worked on was the Town of Hamburg 2024 Budget. The Budget encompasses all the departments and their expenses, as well as all the revenue the Town brings in from their owned businesses. This is an incredibly complex process that requires weekly budget meetings, as well as incredible amounts of data from previous budget years that needs to be analyzed and calculated to offer the most accurate estimated budget projections for the upcoming year. I worked mostly with Excel, learning how to input data properly as well as utilizing all the different functions of Excel to help make the budgeting process more efficient.

Inspirational Comment: I was able to extend my internship into my final semester at Buffalo State University, which then gave me to accept a full-time position within Town Hall as a Junior Account.

 

  

 GENEVIEVE ORCUTT
Management & Graphic Design Intern
Rie & Company, New London, Connecticut 

My internship experience has not only been such an amazing opportunity but led to lifelong friendships and mentors! I had the pleasure of working with Rie & Company, an interior design firm based in New London, Connecticut. While I mainly worked remotely stationed in Buffalo, I had the opportunity to learn the “behind the scenes” of running a small business. I discovered new confidence in taking on every task that was thrown my way, from creating content to using spreadsheets, graphic design, and project management skills.

Inspirational Comment:

The most important thing I've taken away from this experience is that at first, unfamiliar opportunities can appear intimidating and challenging. However, everyone has been faced with it, and if you put yourself out there, you'll meet wonderful people!

ALANA BENGERT
Procurement & Human Resources Intern
Moog, Inc., East Aurora, NY 

The Business Department Internship Program has given me endless opportunities in my college coursework and in the business world. I had the opportunity to intern with Moog Inc, a local Aerospace Company located in East Aurora, NY. I started my internship experience as a Business Analyst Intern responsible for gathering and analyzing data within the Finance Department. My projects involved Power Bi and SQL software and I was tasks for facilitating and applying Lean principles into current processes. After completing my first internship in the Finance Department, I grew a strong interest in human resources. So, I applied for a second internship in Moog’s Human Resource Department. During this experience, I worked within Recruiting, Learning & Development and played a big role in the management and development strategies for two learning and development programs called LIFT and Launch. Also, I put together a new Performance Management Process for managers to use with their employees. I am currently in my third block of internship experience Moog and let me just say, I never expected to learn as much information that I can carry on with me in my future career.

Inspirational Comment: “I couldn’t say enough wonderful things about the Internship Program. It has provided me the opportunity to network, grow my professional skills, hold me accountable, and even allowed me to graduate early. I will always encourage, inform, and educate other Buffalo State students to take on this opportunity because of how much value it offers. If I had to do my college career over again, I would choose to join the Buffalo State Internship Program even sooner in my college career!”  

   

CIN NUAM
Human Resource Intern 
Caplugs,  Buffalo, NY

 Working at Caplugs Buffalo headquarters as a human resources intern has been a very rewarding experience. My experiences are so diverse. One of my favorite things about this internship, is learning new things every day and embracing differences. I work under the HR generalist, HR manager, and Talent Acquisition Specialist. As a human resource intern, I process the temp payroll, onboarding process, assist with hiring employees, update employee profiles on ADP HR tools, and provide Burma employees with support and assistance when needed. I am literally learning something new every day and a company culture that supports this makes things a lot easier.

Inspirational Comment: “I highly recommend doing an internship early in your college career at the company of interest. The internship will show you what your future career options are, and it will give you a fanatic boss and work experience that you cannot imagine”.

 

 DAN CORBI
Sales& Analytics Intern
Affinity Group, Depew, NY

Affinity Group is a very friendly collaborative environment with awesome employees. They are a food broker that works with manufacturers and distributors to help ensure sustained growth and mitigate loss. I am currently helping their corporate team with top-level analytics. By doing this, I help this company see where they are winning and losing to help ensure the business continues to grow and head in the right direction. I also have been learning about the sales team and participating in food shows. Another perk to this company is that you are always surrounded by food, so you are never hungry! It’s interesting to learn how the food service industry runs. Inspirational Comment: An internship is an extremely beneficial experience. It is so important to get real-world, hands-on experience in things you might be interested in. I have learned so much from everything I have been doing. Hopefully, this also will lead into a job. This is a great opportunity for me to leave college with a start on my career. 

Inspirational  Comment: If you are thinking about doing an internship, DO IT! You will thank yourself down the road.


BRYAN HILL
Human Resource Intern
Say Yes Buffalo, Buffalo, NY

 I completed my internship at "Say Yes Buffalo". This internship was an eye-opening experience for me as it helped me understand what truly happens in the Human Resource world. I was able to get so much exposure to the different fields of Human Resources. I learned about the recruitment process, what it means to onboard staff, so they are adequately prepared for what Say Yes has to offer. As well I got to travel to different events that Say Yes hosted and different networking events that helped me get to know more people from different organizations. As well, one thing that makes this internship really stand out for me is the people of the organization. My team was one of the best I ever had. I had so many role models that I can look up to for not just advice but help on honing my skills. The environment is one that I wish I could go back to one day; it is nice to be around people that want to see you succeed and further your own career.

Inspirational Comment:   One piece of advice I want to give to future interns is: “Do not be afraid to intern, it will show you more about the field and it gives you glimpse of what the role offers. Get out there your knowledge only grows if you take the extra step.” 

 

 More inspiring comments coming from our business interns.... please check back to this site and see what they are doing!!  

 

 

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