Student Perspectives: Clear communication truly is the foundation of getting things done.

Qianli Tang (MS Quantitative Methods and Modeling), Source-to-Pay (S2P) Analyst Intern at American Airlines

What has been one of the most important things you’ve learned at your internship?

It’s all about communicating. In my role on the Procurement Excellence team, where I help implement policies and streamline processes, I learned that the most important skill is delivering the message clearly and influencing others to provide the information needed and follow the right processes. Clear communication truly is the foundation of getting things done.

How have you approached networking at your internship? Share any one specific example that has been impactful for you.

Sometimes it’s as simple as letting people know my intention and showing that I want to learn from them. I’ve found that most people are willing to help, especially when they see someone new who is genuinely interested in their work or their area of expertise. That openness has made it much easier to build connections and learn from different teams.

What has been your biggest contribution to your team at your internship? Why?

My current main contribution was helping improve some data visibility by mapping different data structures and generating reports for KPI tracking.

After this experience, what would you like to learn next?

I want to learn how technology can make procurement processes more efficient and scalable, especially through AI. I also want to go deeper into data analysis so I can deliver more meaningful financial impact insights and support decision-making in a more strategic way.

For students having a difficult time finding an internship, what is one piece of advice you would give them?

Sometimes it really comes down to timing, but we can prepare ourselves for that timing and increase the chances that opportunity happens. Keep improving skills, keep showing up, and stay ready for the moment when things align. 

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