“IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU” INTERNSHIP PROFILE

Name: Nicole Herrington
Major: Finance and International Business
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Graduation Date: May 2010
Company: Shell Oil
Location: Houston, TX
Internship Position: Financial Analyst Intern

1. Why is an internship important?
Internship is important as it is a huge resume builder and gives you experience and insight to an industry you could be working in.
2. What was the one most significant thing that you gained from your experience?
Knowledge about the oil industry and working with managers of a Fortune 1 company
3. What was your biggest challenge?
Technical Skills
4. What type of networking did you do?
I was involved in several of the Shell networks as wells as the Shell intramural sports teams. Both of these venues along with Intern events and job shadowing allowed me to interact with a variety of people in different roles to learn more about the company.
5. What did you do to get the most out of your internship?
Had high expectations for my projects and was very proactive about managing my work and requesting more work.
6. Why would you recommend an internship experience to other students?
It gives you a real life experience in a position/at a company you could work at after graduation. You get to improve your skills with value-added projects, build your network, and make some cash!
7. Did you move to another city and what did you think about that experience?
I moved to Houston, TX – It was extremely hot, but it was a great experience, and I highly recommend it! The people were very welcoming, and the city was clean, modern, and there was a lot to see in Texas.
8. What was your typical day like?
There were usually 1-2 meetings that either I set up with people or team/company-wide, most days meetings would take up at least 2 hours of my day, and then I mainly worked on my main projects – a Risk Analysis Assessment, Budget Reconciliations, and a Wells Reporting Automation.

MORE CANDID QUESTIONS:

1. What did you like or dislike about the city/area you worked?
Really enjoyed the Galleria area of Houston- upscale and centrally located. However, there was a good amount of traffic in the evenings.
2. What types of extra circular activities were available in the area?
Shell offers volleyball, softball, and football teams and a variety of other networks and events. Many gyms in the area, and outdoor activities at Memorial Park.
3. Did you work with other interns? If yes, did you spend time with them outside of work?
Not directly, but I had lunch with them several times a week. A few times we did spend time together outside of work.
4. Did the company organize events for the interns?
YES! Took a trip to New Orleans fully paid for, Astros baseball games, and they also planned a trip to float down a giant lazy river.
5. Describe your relationship with your mentor/supervisor.
Maintained daily contact to update him on my daily activities and findings and the status of my projects.
6. What type of relocation assistance, housing or bonuses did you receive?
Monetary relocation assistance and a rental car!
7. What did you like or didn’t you like about your experience?
Thought it was a great experience! The people/culture were great, pay was very good, city was nice, projects were interesting – nothing to complain about!
8. What do you wish you would have known before the internship started?
There are 2 Shell locations in Houston – one downtown and one in the West side of Houston. Both are nice and there are definitely perks to each.

If you would like to be profiled in the “It could happen to you” section, please contact Eric Benman at benmaner@msu.edu