Beyond the Books: Triple Major Molds Future Through CORE Molding Technologies Internship

Azam Shaik '25 is a data science, quantitative economics and finance triple major from Hyderabad, India. At Augustana, he is a Viking Advisor (VA), Augustana Cultural Exchange (ACE) Ambassador, Beacom Research Fellow, tutor and involved with the Viking Distance Project and intramurals. This summer, Shaik completed a remote internship with CORE Molding Technologies, a plastics engineering solutions company.

Q: What are your career goals/aspirations?

A: I aspire to start my career as an analyst of some sort, using that experience as a foundation to grow and explore various opportunities in the field. While I have a clear interest in analytical roles, I'm keeping all doors open to other possibilities as well.

Q: Where or how did you hear about Augustana?

A: I heard about Augustana through a friend I went to high school with back in Hyderabad, Raghav Sriram Yogeeswari ('24), who graduated from Augustana last year.

Q: What is/are the reason(s) you chose to come to Augustana?

A: My journey to Augustana began with several conversations with Raghav and Wade Gemar (former assistant director of international enrollment), who was my admission counselor. Raghav spoke passionately about his experiences at Augustana, and each story he shared only heightened my excitement about the possibility of attending this university. Wade, on the other hand, provided unwavering support throughout the application process, making me feel genuinely welcomed and valued. The way they both made me feel even before I set foot on campus convinced me that Augustana was the right place for me - a place where I knew I would thrive.

Q: What did your job duties include?

A: My role primarily involved diving deep into Business Intelligence (BI) tools like Cognos Analytics and tackling a variety of projects that were handed to me. This experience not only expanded my technical toolkit but also gave me the opportunity to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application, allowing me to see the tangible impact of my work.

Q: How did you get the internship? Did anyone help you?

A: I attended a career fair in Minneapolis, Minnesota, organized by the Augustana Student Success Center, where I had the chance to meet and connect with numerous Augustana alumni. This event was incredibly valuable, as it allowed me to learn about their careers, gain advice and build meaningful connections. One of those connections was Rahul Bansal, class of 2006, who is the director of business systems at Core Molding Technologies. He introduced me to the company, informed me about an open position and encouraged me to apply. The support from the Student Success Center and the strength of Augustana's alumni network played a crucial role in helping me secure this internship.

Q: What did you enjoy most about your internship?

A: What I liked most about my internship was the opportunity to apply the skills I've learned in class to real-world projects while expanding my technical toolkit with new tools like Cognos Analytics. It was rewarding to see my academic knowledge translate into practical solutions while gaining hands-on experience with business-standard tools. Additionally, the exposure to the industry was eye-opening, giving me a clearer understanding of how the concepts I've studied are applied in the business world and helping me shape my career path.

Q: What did you learn/gain from the internship?

A: My goal was to gain a deeper understanding of the professional world, particularly in data analytics and business intelligence, and enhance my technical expertise in industry tools and software. I also wanted to see how the theoretical knowledge from my studies applied in real-world scenarios. This experience not only helped me refine my skills but also gave me the confidence to tackle complex challenges in the future.

Q: Why is experiential learning important to you in your future endeavors?

A: Experiential learning is important because by engaging in hands-on experiences, I can apply what I've learned in the classroom to practical situations, which solidifies my understanding and prepares me for future roles. Moreover, it ensures that I'm career-ready by the time I graduate, providing me with a solid foundation which hopefully makes me a more competitive candidate in the job market.

Q: How important is building relationships/connections?

A: Building relationships and connections has proven to be crucial for my career growth so far. Networking has opened doors to opportunities and having strong connections means access to mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals, which is invaluable as I navigate the early stages of my career. These relationships not only help me make informed decisions but also lay the foundation for long-term success.

Learn about the 2,000+ jobs and internships posted annually by the Augustana University Student Success Center at Augie Opportunities.

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