A New Beginning: My Summer as a Business Intelligence Intern at Savant
Rachel Nester, a sophomore at Lebanon Valley College, interned with Savant’s Business Intelligence team in our Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, office. She shares what that experience meant to her.
From Starbucks Shifts to Spreadsheets
I wanted to do anything but work at Starbucks again over the summer. When Jackie Keener, senior business intelligence analyst, presented at my college in the fall, I reached out to her to see about an internship. After a few months of back-and-forth discussion, I applied.
When I walked into the Wyomissing office on my first day, I felt nervous and anxious. The office was quiet and small but very busy. Everyone welcomed me with kindness, and I adjusted quickly to the new environment.
Behind the Numbers: What I Actually Do
Most of my work has centered on assisting with merger and acquisition tasks. That includes organizational and analytical work, such as auditing spreadsheets, and more hands-on tasks like calculating client segmentation, determining start dates for firms, and creating name mapping to prepare new partnership transitions to Savant.
A typical day keeps me busy. I usually start my morning by checking emails, reviewing my tasks for the day, and preparing for scheduled meetings. I also like to help teammates where I can. This internship has helped me develop my technical skills in Power BI and Excel. Savant places a strong emphasis on both technology and relationship building. I’ve also improved my communication skills. Every time I’ve asked for help on a project or updated teammates on my progress, it’s pushed me to communicate more clearly and confidently.
Growing Pains and the Moment It Clicked
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned, professionally and personally, is how different this structure of work is compared to what I’m used to. This internship has taught me to trust the process and remember that I can’t finish everything in an hour. Learning to rely on my team and put my trust in them has made me a better team member. I’ve become more involved, more active, and more patient.
Finding My People and Culture
I’ve had a wonderful time working with my team. I felt supported, and I knew I could reach out to anyone and receive the same warmth and willingness to help that I get from my manager. Savant’s culture has been collaborative and welcoming. This company thrives because everyone, all team members across the country, works toward a common goal: improving one million lives. That includes our clients, our team members, and the communities we serve.
Surprises, Second Thoughts, and What Comes Next
What surprised me most about this internship is how genuinely interested I found the behind-the-scenes work of getting firms integrated. I enjoyed all the learning and growing I accomplished this summer. If I had to give advice to a future intern, it would be this: Stay moldable. Set your pride aside. Knowledge matters, but the ability to learn and adapt is invaluable. Always stay willing to learn and change. In fact, that’s one of Savant’s core values: lifelong learning.
If I had to sum up my internship in three words, I’d say: “a new beginning.” This has been my introduction to the professional world, and it has opened so many doors, for the rest of my time in college and potentially for my future career as well.
This is intended for informational purposes only. You should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this document serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from Savant. Please consult your investment professional regarding your unique situation.
Savant Business Intelligence, Intern