Learning from Boeing and Stanford
Last Updated on October 18, 2017 at 12:00 AM
Originally published October 18, 2017
By Hugo A. Rodriguez Gonzalez, junior finance major
UTEP Communications
My summer consisted of being one of the few Hispanics who interned as a procurement financial analyst with the world’s largest aerospace company and America’s biggest manufacturing exporter, The Boeing Company. I also was among the students selected from a national pool to participate in the Stanford MBA Future Leaders Program at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
During my 10 weeks with Boeing in Seattle, Washington, I was able to understand the cost reduction part of finance. Being able to do forecasting, financial analysis, forensic accounting and audit exceptions, attend bidder conferences, and support my peers with negotiations with different suppliers, gave me a well-rounded experience. I was given projects where I had to add value to my team. Besides the professional experience I gained at Boeing, my internship allowed me to expand my world perspective in a quickly growing city that is completely different from El Paso.
With the skills and abilities I learned at The University of Texas at El Paso, and the guidance from my UTEP alumni mentors, which in my opinion is one of the institution’s greatest assets, I have been able to participate in such student groups as Sponsors for Educational Opportunities and Management for Leadership of Tomorrow. All these professional development experiences have given me the soft and analytical skills needed to succeed.
After attending the Association of Latino Professionals for America Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, I moved on to Stanford. That was a unique experience. I was able to network with the staff and faculty, and other student leaders selected from across the country. Additionally, I shared my experiences and points of view with Google employees during a visit to its corporate headquarters. That was one of the most diverse programs I ever attended. It gave me the perspective needed to solve different problems.
From May to August, I developed myself as a person, student and professional. I look forward to sharing what I learned with my UTEP classmates, especially those who are part of the student organization I co-founded, U-Opportunity. This group focuses on the professional development of underclassmen with the goal of preparing them for internships with Fortune 500 companies, and to find more professional opportunities for Miners.
My summer activities have made me want to continue my academic development to be ready for my next internship experience.