From creating a brand identity to conducting market research and prototyping tech solutions that could be used to solve everyday problems on the ASU campus and around the world — these are just some of the hands-on, roll-your-sleeves-up assignments taken on by the interns at the Cox Connected Environments Collaboratory this year.
Pia Almora Vargas, who graduated with an MBA in Business Administration this month, and Cristian Herrera, a junior studying mechanical engineering, are both ASU students and the first-ever interns for the Cox Collaboratory. Because the Cox Collaboratory operates like a lean start-up, Pia and Cristian feel like they’re not just interning, but they’re valuable members of the team, and gaining real-world experience.
"I don’t really feel like I’m an intern,” said Cristian (shown right). “A lot of people talk about having their internships that are not as inclusive; they’re very ‘stay in your lane.’ But with Cox, they’ve been really open to me putting my ideas out there.”
Projects to be proud of
So, in job interviews, when the interviewee asks, “What are you most proud of from your internship,” what will Pia and Cristian say?
“Getting DART up and running has been our main focus over this last year and trying to find a way to bring that to market,” said Cristian. “I had a pretty big hand in it in the beginning. Going out in the field, I helped install all the trackers [on carts] and brainstormed and tested ideas on how to track the carts movement across campus. It’s been really cool and interesting to be a part of.”
For Pia (shown left), one of her biggest accomplishments was coming up with a proposal for the Cox Collaboratory’s formula to success, which would lead the creation of the brand identity and develop the format for the Collaboratory’s future engagement activities.
“I interviewed several stakeholders and directed different brainstorming sessions to get an accurate idea on what would lead us to success,” said Pia. “I help put in words what was already present in our minds: Our formula to success is knowing who our communities are and leading them to accelerate smart concepts through different engagement activities to finally achieve efficiency, quality of life and business.”
With that information, Pia was able to develop and execute a successful marketing launch campaign, reaching 38,000 people, generating 900 interactions and a growth of 500% in the Cox Collaboratory’s web traffic after the first month.
How Cristian and Pia were inspired by the experience
As interns for the Cox Collaboratory, Pia and Cristian made some personal discoveries, too. For Pia, her passion for sustainability was reborn. “I love the technology field in that it makes me really happy to be able to collaborate, to create new things that might help the world to be more sustainable, more efficient,” she said. “This opportunity was eye opening for me to be able to be in a field that actually contributes to create a better world.”
For Cristian, the internship experience made him more uncertain about his future…in the best way possible. “It’s made me a little bit more confused about what I want to do, honestly, in a good way,” he said. “I was thinking about getting my master’s in mechanical engineering, and now I’ve seen the business side, the design aspect and all that comes with it. I am now very much considering getting a master’s in business administration and then hopefully start out as an engineer and then move up to the management side of things.”
Cristian’s work prototyping a skateboard rack sensor, researching innovative products and evaluating video analytics has also inspired him as an entrepreneur. “I'd like to start my own business one day, so it's been really interesting to see all that unfolding and to understand a little bit better how you kind of get product rolling and how you get kind of a business off the ground,” Cristian said.
Advice for next cohorts
So, what advice do Pia and Cristian have for the next interns who will start this summer? “Be very curious, ask a lot of questions, build good relationships, and I think they will because the team is amazing,” said Pia. “I've never noticed before such a group of passionate people together. And it's just very fulfilling to see all of them when they are in meetings how they love what they're doing.”
Cox prides itself on its robust and thoughtful internship program. The company offers a variety of programs, internships and roles to students and those who are early in their career journeys.
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