The Delighted Intern series gives an inside look at how our interns are making an impact here at Businessolver. This week, meet Brooke Barry and Austin Howe, two of our Client Services Interns. Brooke is currently a student at Drake University and Austin attends the University of Iowa. They both began their Businessolver Internship on June 1st and have had plenty of learning experiences since then. Let’s see what they have been working on!
Brooke Barry
Since the beginning of my internship at Businessolver, I have been hard at work on several different projects. Almost immediately following my initial new-hire training, I was being put to work on various client-centered tasks, including preparing the Benefitsolver system for Annual Enrollment, helping out my team members on time pressing issues, and sitting in on client calls. I have to say, when they talked about creative chaos during new hire orientations, they weren’t kidding! Businessolver is a company that will truly test your mental stamina. Here’s a vague example: imagine you’re working on a project, and a team member approaches you and asks you for some help on a project they are working on. Being the good team member you are (and being the new intern that is scared to say no to anyone), you gladly set aside the project you are currently working on to help out your coworker. They quickly explain how to do the task and leave you to it. After they leave, you attempt to start working on the new project, only to have a million questions two minutes into it. You begin utilizing company resources, looking through your New Hire binder and Googling, but still aren't quite sure about the best way to complete the given task. Eventually, you run around the office (because you still have no idea where anybody’s desk is) looking for the team member that gave you the directions. You ask them your millions of questions and they sit patiently with you, answering every single one, going through examples, and giving you advice. And you think to yourself, “Why didn’t I just do this in the first place?” I learned quickly not to be afraid to ask for help because everyone here is so willing to teach and help you grow.
When I first started my internship, it scared the bajeezus out of me. It was my first full-time internship in an actual office. It scared me that this summer could possibly jumpstart my career when I graduated college. Who wouldn’t be scared that they would mess that up? Now, being almost a month into it, I couldn’t be happier with my choice to start my professional career at Businessolver. Throughout all the creative chaos that this company thrives on, I still feel that my team members genuinely care about my professional development and are more than willing to help and answer any questions that I might have.
Austin Howe
From my first month at Businessolver, I can already tell that our motto “delighted employees are the first step to delighted clients” rings true throughout the building. Coming to work every day, I constantly see coworkers who are driven to succeed in every way possible, which pushes me to do the same. The go-getter attitude is extremely contagious, and makes me realize why so many talented people already work at Businessolver. I have already had several awesome experiences with my team, from going to lunch to creating a mini golf hole for an in-office fundraiser. When I’m not building golf holes, I am completing different tasks and projects for co-workers who could use an extra hand. What I like most about this is that no two days are alike. I am constantly doing something different and it gives me a sense of accomplishment when I finish something that was given to me, knowing I made someone else’s life a little easier. Some of my favorite tasks so far have been going into the system and changing benefit elections for employees. Although I was very nervous at first, as I didn’t want to mess up someone’s benefits, it was also very exciting and gave me an idea of what it is like to be on the client service team. In the near future I am going to attend a client call. I think this will be a very interesting learning opportunity for me to see how the client/Businessolver relationship works. As an intern, there is always going to be a learning curve, however, the orientation sessions and classes we have been attending have been very beneficial building blocks for me. This is my first experience with benefits and without getting familiar with the system in classes, I would have a hard time being able to help anyone.
Outside of the work I do, I feel it is also important to address the Businessolver culture just so others can comprehend just how truly unique it is. Although I have only worked at a few different places, the energy that you feel when you walk into Businessolver is present right away. The people that I have met have all been super nice and the resources available to me are countless. If I ever need help, I wouldn’t hesitate to ask anybody. I enjoy the fast-paced environment and love having things to do at all times. Having only been here for a month, I can already tell that this is an exciting place to work, and I hope to continue to grow at Businessolver.
