Posted June 16, 2016 by
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Internship The Liberal Arts Student Activities My Wheaton
My Internship With Chick-Fil-A
This summer is shaping up to be better than I ever could have expected. It all started last December, when I began preparing for internship interviews with Wheaton’s Center for Vocation and Career (CVC). They helped me put together my resume and rehearse the interview questions that landed me an internship with one of the most loved quick-service restaurants in the country: Chick-Fil-A. Internships are becoming more and more important for today’s college students and I couldn’t be more honored and excited to be part of such a fantastic and well-known organization.
I have the privilege of working with Chick-Fil-A’s Information Technology department, helping them develop innovative enterprise solutions using Amazon Web Services. As a member of Chick-Fil-A’s well-developed internship program, I am gaining experience in technology initiatives, leadership, as well as in personal and team development. In fact, this year’s interns have already gone on a team-building retreat with WinShape Teams (a member of Chick-Fil-A’s nonprofit arm).
The experiences that accompany the internship speak volumes about the heart and humility of the company. We recently had the opportunity to eat dinner at Chick-Fil-A CEO Dan T. Cathy’s house, which included crazy activities like operating a full-sized excavator, if one so chose (pictured above). Our summer calendar is full of “Lunch and Learns”: informal gatherings where we get to hear from and get to know senior executives and key company leaders. Chick-Fil-A’s corporate campus in Atlanta includes access to an on-site fitness facility, outdoor running trails and, yes, free lunch every weekday. Seriously, this job is amazing.
It is fulfilling to see the results of my Wheaton education being used to solve real, on-the-ground problems that have the potential to contribute to the company’s success. My classes at Wheaton provided me with the technical understanding and problem-solving skills I need to be successful in a corporate environment. Additionally, my professors and classmates have taught me how to communicate clearly and ask good questions so that I can work best alongside my supervisor and take full advantage of the rich opportunities Chick-Fil-A has to offer. I’m excited to grow not only technologically, but also as a leader and team player.
Laura Jauch ’16 is a computer science major interning in Chick-Fil-A’s Information Technology department this summer. Learn more about Wheaton’s Center for Vocation and Career on their website.
Photo captions (from top): A welcome board on display at the Chick-Fil-A interns' WinShape Teams retreat; the excavator at Chick-Fil-A CEO Dan T. Cathy’s property; Laura at her internship desk.