Day 11

Examples of Collaboration:

As an intern, I directly work with two people in the course of a typical work day. My mentor and another co-worker. If I were an actual employee in HR, then I'd be indrectly working with 3,000+ workers. This would be because HR handles the employees' medical records, benefits, compensation, etc.

My direct collaboration with the two other people assists them with their workload.

Day 10

This week was definitely a lot more productive and exciting than the first. I met with a couple managers around Solar, in addition to attending several meetings. In between those days I reviewed online courses on electronic communications, Yellowbelt Awareness, and global diversity. These are all courses related to the company.

The highlight of my week was definitely meeting Lisa Askew. She's the Human Resources Development Manager here at Solar. Her sense of humor is hilarious, and I really think I would enjoy her as my boss. We found something in common, where we both were part of an international traveling program. It's amazing how by just talking to anyone around here, you'll find at least something you have in common with them or something you can both relate to.

A challenge I had was staying engaged in all the meetings I attended. Not the one-on-one meetings, but the conferences. Although the information presented at these meetings did not apply to me as an intern, I found it a huge struggle to sit still and stay engaged. I feel as though business and office work is not suitable for me.

Day 9

This is the Quality Room right next to Central HR. I posted this picture because I went to two meetings today. The first one was a CHR staff meeting that took about 3 hours. The second meeting I attended was the monthly EAG leader meeting. It was right after the CHR staff meeting. So these meetings took a majority of my day.



Discussion
These back-to-back meetings are what my mentor deals with on the daily. She's constantly in and out of meetings. I guess adults and students are a lot alike in such that they both stress. For the most part students stress about school. Every now and then it'll be relationship problems or parents or sports schedules. Adults deal with the same exact thing. Plus more. It's not just themselves, but their families as well. Their spouse, their children. It's not just about themselves in the adult world. You must be selfless and generous. I don't know how they do it, but they do. I don't want to scare myself here, because I know I'll be in the same position one day. But somehow, these adults do it. And they're happy.

Possible Interview Questions
Is Psychology what you always wanted to pursue?

How far along the way did you decide you wanted to get more than just a B.A.?
Do yo usee yourself working in HR till you retire?
What was the hardest thing you went through that helped you intellectually and/or physically grow?
What were the highlights and benefits about getting your doctorate?
What was your biggest struggle getting your PhD?
Did you ever doubt that going through postgraduate school would be worth it?
What would you advise to anyone planning to pursue a doctorate as well?

Day 8

Jessica Paul was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has one younger sister. She attended USD for her undergraduate school and went on to (university here) to pursue her Master's and PhD. Within Solar, Jessica first worked in Employee Relations for (amount of years here). Since February 2009, she has been working in the Central Human Resources department as the Diversity & Equal Employment Opportunities Specialist. Jessica lives with her newlywed husband, Justin, and their dog Dulce.

Day 7

I would like to develop interpersonal skills in myself to become a better individual among others by having genuine care for my peers. By doing this, I know my peers will do the same. I saw that in the Central HR department, there was a sense of family and respect for each other. I think that's important because it just makes the group work well together and creates a bond outside of their own homes. Something I also saw around the department was diligence. Each of these workers have so many things to do, and you obviously know that it was done to the best of their ability. Otherwise, the consequences for not fully completing assigned tasks could be crucial.

Since internship started, I now have appreciation for adults in general. Work is definitely not easy. You have to work for it.

Day 6

I had work today although it was Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I had to come in half an hour earlier than usual because my first task of the day began at 7:30am.

Well, today there was new hire orientation in the eastside room. I didn't know where it was, so I went to security and they took me to the room. I was expecting there to be a bunch of people, but there were only 4 other people besides me. That was pretty surprising. We were each to make our own nametag and the most creative one would get a prize. Evidently, I won. I got a "bio-degradable pen." Woohoo. The orientation consisted of presentations about the history of Solar, safety procedures, and password protection/privacy. We also got a tour of the facility. I didn't know there was a chapel here. That was cool. I learned the chapel was all built by actual Solar employees back in the day. They hold ceremonies there too.

Next was lunchtime. We were given a $10 ticket we could use to buy lunch--a lot like a giftcard. After lunch, we were released from orientation. I went back to Central HR to check in with my mentor. I completed online courses for "Electronic Communications" and "6 Sigma Yellowbelt Awareness." Both were courses to better understand the company and compliance rules.

So that was pretty much my day. I left at 2:30pm.

Day 5

Project Description
Internship site: Solar Turbines, Inc.
Department: Central Human Resources
Project Title: undetermined
General Description: a compilation of cultural holidays relating to Solar's worldwide employees; written description for the selected holidays; will be published in EAG (Employee Affinity Groups) newsletter
Learning Objectives: to achieve a further understanding of various cultures' holidays
Organization/Company Objectives & Benefits: "Products from Solar Turbines play an important role in the development of oil, natural gas and power generation projects around the world. Solar Turbines’ products include gas turbine engines (rated from 1590 to 30,000 horsepower), gas compressors, and gas turbine-powered compressor sets, mechanical-drive packages and generator sets (ranging from 1.1 to 22.4 megawatts)"
http://mysolar.cat.com/
Schedule: 8am-4pm
Academic Skills: good writing and grammar
Technical Skills: Microsoft Word & Powerpoint
Collaboration—Skills and Opportunities: holidays of interest were provided by international leaders part of Solar; clarification/assistance provided by mentor
Exhibition Plans: practice run scheduled two days before; whole Central HR department is invited to attend my presentation
Schedule & Timelines: (project was not officialialized till second full week of internship)
remainder of week (1/20-22) : begin research
early of week (1/25-27): rough draft completed, reviewed, & revised
1/27: POL practice run
1/29: Internship POL


Summary of Week
It was a pleasure to meet everyone around the facility, especially the president of Solar Turbines Steve Gosselin (YES, I met the president. Nifty, eh?). I also had lunch with the manager of the department I am working in. I found out that her son and my younger brother played for the same basketball team, so that was coincidental. The challenges my first week was getting my own access, as in my own badge and my own account for the computer. There wasn't much I could do except wait and be patient about this matter. I maintained a positive attitude the whole week. In addition, I was more than happy to help my co-workers with any small tasks they needed.

I definitely did not expect that the company I'm working for to be the great company that it is today. I also didn't realize how confidential things can be in an office, in addition to there being MANY, many things in a business that goes on ''behind the scenes.'' Who would have thought compensation, benefits, and pension were crucial in a company like Solar Turbines? I didn't, that's for sure. I also did not expect to meet the president of Solar! Obviously he's a very busy man, so just introducing myself to him was nice. I believe he was the one who was interested in recruiting a high school intern from HTH.

Overall, my first week was not that exciting to be honest. There were a few times that I enjoyed, but I had nothing productive to do for my own. Solar was on a ''winter break shut-down'' for three weeks, so my first day of internship was also their first day coming back from break. So it was busy, and many people were still settling down after the holidays. I didn't really have much to do because of the fact that I didn't have my own access. But I know that the next two weeks will be very busy according to my schedule that my mentor planned for me.

Day 4

A couple keypoints I would like to cover are stuggles and accomplishments. I think by learning about one's struggles/difficulties, we get to see the strength in an individual and how they approach a situation that isn't easy. By learning about someone's accomplishments, I will understand inspires them and what they want in life.

I already have meetings scheduled with many of the employees/managers here. I will adhere to my schedule given to me by my mentor. I will record whichever meeting I seem is appropriate.

Day 3

Project title: undetermined

Project description: a compilation of cultural holidays of interest of Solar's worldwide employees; written description for the selected holidays; will be published in EAG (Employee Affinity Groups) newsletter

Project schedule: (project was not officialialized till second full week of internship)
remainder of week (1/20-22) : begin research
early of week (1/25-27): rough draft completed, reviewed, & revised
1/27: POL practice run
1/29: Internship POL

Materials & Equipment needed: Internet, Microsoft Powerpoint

Project documentation: I will complete my drafts on Microsoft Word, and my final product will be compiled with Microsoft Powerpoint. It will be emailed to approximately 400 EAG employees worldwide. At the end of internship, I'll have several Powerpoint slides with all my written descriptions of global holidays.

Day 2

Response to Internship #2:
What have you actively done to start off on the right note?
I was pleasant and gracious to every person I met. I made sure to look engaged and thrilled to be here. When I was given a task, I did my best to thoroughly complete it to the best of my ability.

What have you actively done to create interesting opportunities for yourself?
As stated earlier, I was gracious to everyone I met around the facility. By doing so, I believe will give me interesting opportunities because I gave them a good first impression. Whenever I was curious about something, I would ask. This led to more learning and retaining new information.

What have you actively done to advance the interests of your mentor and/or site?
I was patient with the with mentor and her manager while they tried to get settle down after coming back from their 3-week ''shut-down.'' They had difficulties granting me access to the facility as well as a computer log-on.

What can you do in the immediate future to improve yourself and your experience in the above areas?
I will continue to engage in as many activities possible. I will keep an open mind for any last minute duties or tasks. Continue to act courteous and polite to mentor and co-workers.


Response to Internship #4: Tuesday 1/12
1. What academic skills could you use on the job?
I deem myeslf to be a pretty good writer, so if they asked me to write any reports or statements then I'd be more than welcome to. I'm also a pretty decent researcher.

2. What forms of collaboration could you use in a project?
I am open to working with anyone I need to work with at my internship. If I need to meet with a certain representative or if I need to ask for assistance from my co-workers, then I will make it work. I am working in HR, so if I need to contact anyone specific then they can make it happen.

3. What technical skills can you use at your internship?
I am very familiar with Microsoft Word and Powerpoint. So any form of word processing, I can do. I am flexible and can handle multiple tasks at a time.

4. What new things can you learn while working at your site?
I can learn about the history of Solar and its marketing system. I can learn about the different aspects of this company that make it such a strong worldwide corporation. Every person I get a chance to talk to will give me a new insight about something and they will explain to me what they do in their job.

5. How can you exhibit, showcase or otherwise share your work?
Whatever my project may be, I'm sure they can hang it somewhere around the office or in their cubicle. If my work is something online, they can always send a mass email to the whole department to share it.

6. How can your work or your skills & abilities help your company or organization?
Nothing on the large scale, that's for sure. But the little tasks I do will take some burden off some of the workers because I know they have plenty to take of.

Day 1

Response to Internship #1First day of internship! Wow, glad that's over with.

 

My work place is in the Mini Conference Room. I

am provided a laptop to use during my three weeks here. I have the room to myself. In the back are file cabinets containing employee claims.

This is an example of my work. On the left is my tentative schedule, on the right is a set of research questions I am to complete for my mentor. The screen shown on the laptop is the Solar Turbines Intranet homepage.

The sign in board was something that struck me. I found this interesting because it was something used for safety reasons. In such that there be a fire drill or evacuation, the rest of your team will know where you are located in the facility.

Turkish Delight! This is the stuff in the Narnia movie! I've never actually tried it. This was the first time I've ever tried Turkish Delight, and I must admit that it was delicious =) CeCe brought it back with some other chocolate candy from her trip to Switzerland over winter break. This was an interesting experience my first day. I kept going back for more candy...

  

 

Economics & Life Questions

All responses are summarized from the actual conversation.

1. How is Solar Turbines important to consumers?

Solar Turbines is a manufacturing company that produces engine and oil machinery. Their consumers are some of the top gasoline distributors including Chevron, Shell, and British Petroleum. ST also provides for power generation businesses such as SDG&E and SFSU. That being said, Solar is an incredibly well-established company thats costs approximately $3 billion. So if something ever were to happen to Solar, many of its customers would go downhill as well.

2. How many of ST's workers have been laid off within the past three years?
None! Surpisingly, there have been no with layoffs although the economy has been weak the past 3-4 years. However in 1999-2000, a need for products dropped. Other than that, there are no layoffs on the horizon due to our economic crisis.

3. Have you needed to cut down on any costs/budgets due to the recession? If so, what and how much?
In November 2008, Caterpillar (owner of Solar) noticed many changes: fewer orders, fewer customers, customers dropped out. There was a hiring freeze, which meant no more hiring or head count. Some positions were brought in internally; some were from the field. Budget cuts meant a decrease in computer equipment. Vacations were not given to employees. Contracts expired and Caterpillar lost a few temporary workers.

4. Which department would be the first to get laid off if needed?
As stated before, Solar is very well-established. There have not been any recent layoffs, but they do have a plan on how to determine its layoffs. If needed, temporary people would be the first to go. Then contract people and finance.


Day DescriptionI woke up around 6:30am, and I didn't eat breakfast since I wasn't hungry. We did the normal morning routine where we drop off my younger brother at school, then I ride with my dad and he drops me off before he gets to his work. It took no more than 20 minutes because there was absolutely no traffic on Interstate 5. It's a good thing that Solar Turbines if off I-5 because it's the same route my dad and I take every morning, so it's convenient. I walked into the Main Entrance lobby, and the security guard already knew who I was. I signed in and received a visitor's badge. I was there pretty early at 7:40am when I was scheduled for 8am. My mentor Jessica usually comes in at 9am, but she came at 8am today. Once she arrived, we went to the HR department where they work in cubicles. Jessica then introduced me to her boss and everyone in the Central HR department. There are 15 people total who work in this department. After that we sat down and discussed some technicalities of the office and took care of my paper work.

Once lunch came around, my mentor invited me to have lunch with her boss. We ate in the cafeteria. They bought their lunch, while I ate my packed lunch that I brought from home. Lunchtime is busy at Solar! After lunch, Jessica's co-worker Josh came in. I had a lot more interaction with him while he explained the I-9 process. He covered topics on employment and citizenship. I learned a lot. We also took care of the mail, and I met several executives.

My first day ended at 4pm. I was escorted out by Josh, and I returned my visitor's badge to security. I waited about 10 minutes for my dad, and we took the I-5 home where there is the usual afternoon traffic.

Within the next few days, I really have no idea what I will be doing. I couldn't really do anything today because I don't an official badge yet. The badge gives me access to everything I need to do, including the computer. I am expecting to do some filing or other small tasks that anyone around the office needs. That should be no problem. I also expect to meet other executives; I'm prepared for that. I'm open to anything that my mentor asks me to do. I am going to be learning more about the duties, compliances, and diversity aspects that the Human Resources department takes care of.

I am excited to be working here because Solar Turbines Incoporated is an extremely huuge company that has facilities worldwide. It is an efficient manufacturing company that is important to well-known gas and oil consumers. My mentor is the Diversity Specialist, so she has a lot of access to the worldwide networking that has to do with Solar. I find this interesting and useful.


Response to Intership #3: Monday 1/11
1. What skills would you like to develop at your site?
I would definitely like to develop my social interaction skills. I would like to better my speaking skills, in terms of public speaking and conversation with others. I would also like to develop my work ethic. This would mean taking initiative with my duties instead of being reminded.

2. What interests do you have regarding the work done at your site?
I would like to know the process of compensation, benefits, etc. I learned what I-9's were and how they're kept in the database. I would like to do the same for the other jobs. In addition, I am interested in learning about each of the international facilities and how their role contributes to Solar.

3. What needs can you address (needs your mentor has, your company has, etc.) based on your skills and interests?
Well, I'm pretty organized, so if anyone needed me to do tasks involving paperwork then I'd be more than willing to help.