Hello there! My name is Shane Thompson and I am a senior at ASU. I plan on graduating in December 2014, if all goes to plan and I am working on my BS in Urban and Metropolitan Studies. I was lucky enough to secure an internship with United States Department of Commerce-International Business Trade Administration. I am very excited for this opportunity and look forward to the next two semesters as an intern.
The three goals I hope to achieve throughout the course of my internship are:
1. Learn in detail the in's and outs of IBT and how they promote local business exportation and job growth.
2. Build my professional network with city and state officials.
3. To see if a career within the public sector is ultimately what I want for myself.
I should probably explain that last goal. being a public servant has always been a dream of mine ever since I was a child. Now that I am nearing the end of my education and possibly entering this line of work, I find myself questioning if it is something I truly want. I know, like any job, there is the good, the bad, and the ugly. I am hoping that this internship will give me a well rounded experience in how just one of our government agencies work.
I'd love to hear more about your internship! I know there's a similar summer one that I've looked at and look forward to hearing your take on the internship.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your internship :) I will be looking forward to hearing how your internship goes throughout the semester because I have taken a lot of classes on international relations as well as economic trade. I love learning about and understanding economic relationships and as I am still trying to figure out what it is I want to do I will be glad to hear about your experiences along the way.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to learning more about the organization your interning at a reviewing the type of work that you deal with on a daily basis. I am currently stationed at the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and I can only imagine the scope of your duties.
ReplyDeleteI have various meetings that I attend with the Economic Director at the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. One thing that I enjoy is that there is always something for me to be working on in terms of my supervisor having daily projects aside from sitting in on meetings.
I shall be following you blogs with interest.
Shane,
ReplyDeleteWhat sort of job would you do were money not an issue? Would you want to just retire and loaf all day or actually do 'something'? So long as the answer isn't the former, try to figure out what you'd like to do and do that.
It sounds like trite advice but its served me well. If I won a $500 million lotto tomorrow, I'd keep very little for myself percentage wise (maybe $5M or less) and spend the rest of it trying to make Phoenix a better city. I'd plant trees, tons of freaking trees. I'd expand and improve city parks. I'd buy empty lots and develop them into residential or mixed use complexes. I'd secure grants and other funding so the City could aggressively shift up the timeline of transit and other projects. Every day I have a burning obsession within me to do what I can to try to make Phoenix, Arizona the "Greatest Desert City in the World." I want to travel the nation and world and when I tell people I'm from Phoenix, they don't say "Oh, isn't it hot there?" but rather they say "Oh, I'm jealous- thats SUCH a cool town, I wish I lived there! I'm thinking of moving there soon."
Shane,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, congrats on your internship, it sounds like an awesome experience. Just a couple question, this may sound dumb but where is your internship located? Is it in Arizona? Also, what will you be doing for them? Any chance you could see yourself there long term? Looking forward to checking in and reading about the experience.
First let me start by saying thank you for all the kind words of encouragement! It is much appreciated! :)
ReplyDeleteFlinn, Drew, and Moran. So far my daily tasks include doing market research for local companies on the good they are looking to export. I have access to government databases that have statistics on everything the United States imports and exports. For example, I am currently working with a local company based out of Sedona that bottles artisan spring water. They are looking to export to Mexico. So what I have urgently been working on is gathering the export data on bottled water from the United States, as well as Arizona. I have also been assisting in setting them up with our contacts in Mexico who will help them meet with local business owners that would be interested in carrying their products.
Will, If money was no issue and i was to win the lottery, I would do the exact same thing you described. Phoenix is my hometown. I love it. I also see the potential and would love someday to be able to be apart of building it and making the Greatest Desert City in the World.
Hayden, Let me start by saying there are no dumb questions. I am here in the valley. My office is actually located at ASU Skysong in Scottsdale. Arizona has three offices for what I do. Two in the valley and one in Tucson. As far as staying long term, well my internship is a year long. After I graduate if they offer me job, then I might take it, rather difficult for me to say at the moment. So we shall see. :)