As summer starts to roll full force in our stores and offices, the change of season also marks the beginning of the annual Pilot Company Internship Program. For those who might not be familiar, college students from diverse learning backgrounds join teams at our Knoxville and Houston offices for 10 weeks. Throughout this experience interns network with peers and mentors, collaborate across departments, and gain insight into corporate life. Led by Emily Bell and Corey Johnson (Talent Development), interns participate in team-building activities, leadership exposure, and professional development workshops as they complete assigned projects from their respective departments.
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Ranging from rising sophomores to recent graduates, this year’s cohorts represent 17 colleges and universities across the country and have joined more than 40 departments throughout the company.
So far, the professional development workshops have included seminars on professional etiquette, time management, and communication workplace styles. The interns have conquered a local mountain challenge, broke out of an escape room, and had an afternoon of fun and bowling at the arcade. Out of the 46 interns, five are returning to the program. Hear from them below in their own words why they came back for another summer of fun and learning with Pilot!
Name: Jackson Kizer
Education: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Area of study: Double major in Finance & Supply Chain Management; MBA with a concentration in Finance
Department: Financial Planning & Analysis
Q1: Why did you choose to come back for another year in the Pilot Internship Program?
A: “I chose to return to Pilot this year because I found last year’s program to be a wonderfully put together and enriching experience. I also made lots of new friends in my department and internship class that I wanted to see again. Everyone was nice and the work that I did help me develop my business skills.”
Q2: What was something you enjoyed from your last experience that you hope to see again this time around?
A: “One thing that I enjoyed last summer that I hope to see again is the breakout room day. It was a very fun experience doing one for the first-time last year with a group of my fellow interns and know that the breakout this year will be just as fun.”
Q3: What’s something new that you have gotten to experience this far that you didn’t get to experience last time?
A: “Something new that I am getting to experience this year is calculating ROIs for different store locations. I shadowed someone in my department last year on this but never got around to actually calculating them. This year I am getting hands-on experience working on them.”
Q4: What advice would you give to all the other interns who are new to the program?
A: “My advice that I would give to the new interns is to treat your coworkers like respected colleagues rather than professors or bosses. They are not out to get you nor judge you harshly based on your understanding of certain topics; you just got here, and nobody expects you to know everything right away. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions and network.”
Name: Diego Longoria
Education: University of Texas at Dallas
Area of study: Finance
Department: Houston-Settlements
Q1: Why did you choose to come back for another year in the Pilot Internship Program?
A: “I chose to continue my career at Pilot because I felt like part of the team from Day 1. This internship blends the lives of corporate America with the feeling of a family business. Everyone in the organization was open to intellectual curiosity and challenged me to think about the ‘why?’ I am excited about another Summer with Pilot and highly recommend joining to anyone who wants to be a part of something special.”
Q2: What was something you enjoyed from your last experience that you hope to see again this time around?
A: “There were many things that I enjoyed throughout my internship. However, the laughs, smiles, and conversations are something that I look forward to experiencing again. I always feel like I am valued, and my ideas are important. The people here are truly amazing, and they are people who I enjoy being around.”
Q3: What’s something new that you have gotten to experience this far that you didn’t get to experience last time?
A: “I am doing a rotational program at the Houston office which means I am in a different department than I was last time. This has given me the valuable opportunity to learn more about the intricacies of the PFJ Energy business. Furthermore, I am working on projects that will continue to improve our processes so I believe my internship projects will have a lasting impact to the business.”
Q4: What advice would you give to all the other interns who are new to the program?
A: “The largest piece of advice for new and future interns is ASK QUESTIONS! I know that is what everyone says, but it is extremely important. Someone in PFJ Energy recently told me, ‘The worst-case scenario is you learn something.’ It is also equally important to ask people outside of your department questions. This is how you grow and learn as a person and a team member.”
Name: Veda Seay
Education: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Area of study: Business Analytics, Mathematics, and Statistics
Department: Connect
Q1: Why did you choose to come back for another year in the Pilot Internship Program?
A: “I chose to come back because I felt I had the perfect balance of guidance and independence with my last internship with Pilot. I was able to work independently and take ownership of my projects while also having ample support systems to lean on anytime I needed it. It was such an incredible feeling to end the summer with finished projects and personal growth that I could be proud of thanks to Pilot challenging me and pushing me out of my comfort zone.”
Q2: What was something you enjoyed from your last experience that you hope to see again this time around?
A: “I really enjoyed all the people here at Pilot last summer, and I am so excited to be back and see so many familiar faces. I love being able to look around in my department, the intern group, and other areas of Pilot and see so many friends and colleagues. Everyone here is so supportive and friendly, and I feel welcome everywhere I go.”
Q3: What’s something new that you have gotten to experience this far that you didn’t get to experience last time?
A: “As a returning intern, the pace definitely picked up compared to last summer. When I first joined the team last year, there was a huge learning curve for me to understand the company itself and the everyday lingo my team uses in meetings. Because I had experience with my team going into this summer, I was able to jump in and understand things faster than I did last year, allowing me to start my project earlier and move at a much faster pace. There’s still a learning curve, it’s just a little less steep this time around.”
Q4: What advice would you give to all the other interns who are new to the program?
A: “My advice to other new interns is focus on learning, networking, and being true to yourself this summer. Your team doesn’t expect you to know everything, so be open to learning as much as possible about everything you touch this summer, and don’t be afraid to ask questions! The more connections you can make, the better. Try to say hi to as many people as possible, you never know when your paths may cross again. Lastly, you want to be memorable as an intern, so be yourself!”
Name: Logan Bowers
Education: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Area of study: Computer Science
Department: Network Operations
Q1: Why did you choose to come back for another year in the Pilot Internship Program?
A: “To stay closer to home for the summer, and to build on the relationships I formed last summer.”
Q2: What was something you enjoyed from your last experience that you hope to see again this time around?
A: “Making new friends and connections within the intern group.”
Q3: What’s something new that you have gotten to experience this far that you didn’t get to experience last time?
A: “New projects and more trust.”
Q4: What advice would you give to all the other interns who are new to the program?
A: “Work hard and make as many new relationships as you can.”
Name: Ethan Naugle
Education: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Area of study: Computer Engineering
Department: Enterprise Applications
Q1: Why did you choose to come back for another year in the Pilot Internship Program?
A: “I felt very welcomed by the Pilot family. The “people first” culture made me want to return for another year. “
Q2: What was something you enjoyed from your last experience that you hope to see again this time around?
A: “The Breakout escape room was really fun last year, and I am excited to go back.”
Q3: What’s something new that you have gotten to experience this far that you didn’t get to experience last time?
A: “I really enjoyed the travel center tour. It helped me better understand what we are working towards in terms of guess and team member experience.”
Q4: What advice would you give to all the other interns who are new to the program?
A: “Make as many connections as you can. Whether it is with other interns, people in your department, or people in totally different departments, the relationships you make can help shape your career down the road.”
We can’t wait to see what this group and the entire amazing cohort will do this summer – stay tuned for more blog updates. Don’t forget to vote for our program every day until July 20, 2023.
Interested in joining the team here at Pilot? Explore open opportunities here!
