In this “Internship Experience” blog post series, we will be featuring the profile and thoughts of our students from Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management as they return from summer internships.
Name: Ritu Sadarangani
Graduation Year: 2021
Major(s): Marketing / Advertising
Hometown: Bridgewater, New Jersey
Intern Company/Title: TripActions – Sales Intern
Describe your position and some of your daily tasks?
This summer, I had the opportunity to intern in New York City at TripActions, a startup corporate travel management company. As a sales intern, I worked on the sales operations and sales recruiting teams. In sales operations, I primarily worked in Salesforce to create reports and dashboards to keep track of the NYC team’s sales goals and progress. The data collectewhitd through these reports and dashboards allowed for the sales operations team to find new tools improve the process and make the sales representatives’ jobs easier. For sales recruiting, my daily tasks included sourcing candidates for our open positions and sending them LinkedIn messages to gauge their interest in the company. I would connect candidates with the head recruiter and help with the day-of interview process.
How did you land your internship?
I found my internship through Handshake, the platform offered by the Whitman School Career Center. I applied for Handshake and was contacted by a recruiter. I completed two interviews and made sure to follow-up with the recruiter, and eventually I was offered the position!
What did you learn from your internship experience?
It was interesting to learn about the B2B sales process and everything that goes on behind the scenes in sales operations to get a business going. As a marketing major, this was very new to me because I was used to learning about the B2C method, rather than how businesses connect with other businesses. I also learned a lot about startup culture. At my internship, I was able to wear multiple hats and manage several projects at once. I learned that tech startups move very quickly, and it is vital to keep track of your work and stay organized. Lastly, I learned that it is important to get out of your comfort zone and ask questions throughout your internship, because everyone at the company wants you to grow and learn.
Has your experience changed your plans or career choice when you leave college?
Yes! I never really thought that I would be interested in startups or the tech industry, but this internship has opened my mind up to so many new paths.
How will your internship experience help you after graduation?
I now have a better understanding of the corporate world and what a “real job” actually looks like. I also feel more prepared to talk to other professionals, because I gained knowledge about new companies and industries. Additionally, I learned how to use new tools, such as Salesforce and LinkedIn Recruiter, which could help me in my future career.
How has the Whitman School prepared you for your internship?
The Whitman School and the organizations I am involved in at school have helped me throughout my internship process. I was prepared to write professional emails and go through an interview process because of my experiences in my classes and advice I received from Whitman faculty and upperclassmen students. I was also prepared for work on Excel because I had my certification from my first year.
What did you enjoy most about your experience?
I truly enjoyed learning something completely new every day! Since this was my first internship experience, I was excited to get involved in projects and learn as much as I could. I loved my mentors and everyone I worked with, so it was great to make connections and build new relationships. I am also very thankful that I was able to go to the TripActions headquarters in Palo Alto, California, for a company global offsite, where I was able to meet interns and employees from offices all over the world!
Do you have any advice to students who are looking for an internship?
Use your resources! The internship application process can be stressful, but do not be afraid to ask experienced students or faculty for help. Additionally, utilize Handshake and the preparation tools offered by the Whitman School Career Center to help you prepare. Lastly, networking is key. Complete your research on LinkedIn and send messages to people that have jobs at companies you are interested in learning more about. You never know what a quick conversation can lead to!
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