B.S./M.B.A. student shares important lessons and key skills learned during internship at Van Horn Metz & Co.
Samuel Pelzner, a rising third-year student in the Penn State Eberly College of Science’s B.S./M.B.A. program, recently shared his experience as a project management intern at Van Horn Metz & Co. Inc. in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
How did you get your internship?
A: I got my internship primarily through my network. The B.S./M.B.A. program thrusts you into a network, and it plays a big role in opening you up to opportunities beyond the program, including mentorship. In addition to securing my internship, I have found two mentors who were previous interns at Van Horn Metz that share my interests in statistics and data analysis through the program. With my mentors’ and B.S./M.B.A. program director’s assistance, I was able to secure this internship.
Why did you choose the B.S./M.B.A. program?
A: I chose the B.S./M.B.A. program because I get to design my own curriculum. Beyond a few required classes, I can choose the courses I’m interested in. The other reason is because of the network and the professional experience that come with the program. These experiences range from resume reviews to group dinners, tailgates, and so much more. Each cohort of students truly becomes a family.
How did the B.S./M.B.A. program prepare you for your internship?
A: The B.S./M.B.A. program prepared me by necessitating exploration of a broad range of undergraduate fields, from biology and chemistry to economics and accounting, with room in the middle for personal passions — in my case, statistics classes and lab research. It also encourages collaboration and communication skills, which are reinforced at group events like our annual field trip to New York, where we tour several key companies. The trip also includes a symposium dinner with ample networking time.
What is the value of interning in different departments at Van Horn Metz & Co. Inc.?
A: There’s a lot of value in getting experience in different areas within the same company. Primarily, you find out what you like and what you don’t like. You’ll learn to figure out these likes and dislikes as you go and build your skills along the way.
What has been the most exciting department you interned in at Van Horn Metz & Co. Inc.?
A: The most exciting department I’ve interned in so far has to be supply chain because each day is different. Sometimes I’m looking at invoices, and next thing you know, I’m in the warehouse counting samples to make sure that they have the right expiration dates and lot numbers. This position also allows me to talk to a variety of people, from customers to suppliers to customer service.
What key skills have you learned from your internship?
A: Collaboration and communication skills have been reinforced throughout my internship via deliverables and group meetings. Beyond these two skills, I’ve also gained independence and confidence in knowing that I have the ability to do the tasks that are being asked of me and that I know how to ask for help.
What are your plans after you graduate from Penn State?
A: I haven’t determined exactly what I want to do after Penn State, but I hope that once I get to the M.B.A. phase of my degree, I will have a better sense of what I want to do. I know that math and statistics are my strong suits, and, in my M.B.A., I’d like to explore accounting. When I’m looking for jobs, however, I will definitely use my network and the skills I’ve gained in both of my degree programs.