ATS Summer interns share their experiences

Advanced Technology Services (ATS) began in 1985 as an idea sketched on a napkin and, today, has grown to a multi-million dollar global company. Headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, they are a leading factory maintenance, industrial parts and IT managed services provider with over 30 years of experience in delivering optimal productivity through decreased downtime and greater efficiency. The result? Higher customer profitability for some of the world’s largest brands by making their businesses run better.

The Chief Executive Officer of ATS is Westminster alum, Jeff Owens (Class of 1987, ΒΘΠ). Owens is a 2017 recipient of Westminster’s Lifetime Achievement Award and a newly appointed Board of Trustees member.As a current member of the Young Presidents Organization, the Illinois Business Roundtable, and a graduate of the Bell Leadership Roundtable Program,Jeff continues to educate himself on business leadership trends while staying active in the local professional community.He is true leader dedicated to helping other Westminster students learn and grow in their professional skills through ATS’ Internship Program.

This summer, ATS hosted six Westminster student interns; Danny Chicas, Macalah Danielsen, Anna Kolb, Kyle Kroll, Jacob Money, and Cristo Tabares. A few of their experiences follows.

Anna Kolb, a junior accounting and finance major, interned in the Accounting division’s Financial Planning and Analysis Department. Kolb chose to complete an internship with ATS this past summer to experience real life situations within her fields of study. When asked how well Westminster courses and campus experiences prepared her for her internship, she said

…In my accounting classes with Professor Campbell, we learn about accounting practices. During my internship, I was able to apply this by posting journal entries and comparing budgeted to actual contribution margin percentages for ATS sites. I learned many aspects of Excel in spreadsheets class with Professor Phelps, which helped me when I received raw data from my boss. I converted that data into useful information that was easy to update. In speech class, Professor Hardeman taught us how to properly write and present speeches. I used these skills when my co-intern and I gave a presentation to our bosses and the CFO of ATS. The feedback we received from our presentation was positive. I credit Professor Hardeman for teaching me the skills that make me feel comfortable presenting.

Kolb recommends an internship with ATS to other students as the experience provides valuable hands-on experience as well as opportunities to grow individually. By moving to Peoria, Illinois for the summer, she was able to adapt to a new community, volunteer at events representing ATS, and develop lasting relationships with co-workers.

Jacob Money, a senior international business major, interned in the Sales division’s Account Management Department. This past summer was Money’s second summer internship with ATS. This time, he learned more about the industry and about the functions of an ATS Account Manager. His time at Westminster, particularly his campus leadership roles, helped him develop skills needed for effective operational and time management. Through his experiences with ATS, Money has performed work that has helped him understand his capabilities and increased his ability to work independently. When asked how the internship has helped him gain professional skills and knowledge, Money said

To be in a true business environment is something that being in school cannot replicate. Being at ATS I had exposure to the day to day operations of the business and picked up skills and knowledge along the way. With ATS allowing me to work on real projects for the business, I was able to understand what working in a professional setting is like.

Money recommends an ATS internship because of the experience provided to students by the organization. ATS provides a caring and committed culture which immediately welcomes interns and provides them with the tools and mentorship needed to succeed.

Money is excited that he will be beginning his full-time career in management with ATS after graduation this December, and will be working in the southeastern part of the US.

Macalah Danielsen, a sophomore who is majoring in finance and security studies, interned in the Financial Planning and Analysis Department. Danielsen has accepted an internship position with ATS for summer 2019. Asked why she chose to return for a second summer, Danielsen said “It was a great experience; I learned a lot over the summer. The company was flexible and allowed me to work on my own projects that I could present to my manager. I was lucky to be accepted back.”

Tye Smith, ATS’s Recruiting Manager, provided a positive review of our students at the end of the summer.

I cannot say enough about the interns we had from Westminster this summer. They came in ready to work from day one and set such high expectations for themselves. The students were given projects that added value to their professional careers. Not only did they gain experience, but many of the projects have added process improvements for ATS. We are very excited about the partnership with Westminster. It just goes to show that Westminster is preparing their students to be successful in the workforce.

Tye Smith and Alyssa Johnson (Class of 2017, ΚΚΓ) will be at Westminster’s 2018 Career Fair on September 25th from 10:30AM-1:30PM in the Mueller Student Center. For more information on the Career Fair and internships contact Mandy Plybon, the Center for Career Development’s Assistant Director/Internship Coordinator, at [email protected].

By Mandy Plybon, Assistant Director/Internship Coordinator, Center for Career Development