Student Perspectives: What I’ve Learned from My Internship? Growing Through Curiosity, Connection, and Innovation

Cristel Zuniga (MS Business Analytics ‘25)

Internships are often described as the bridge between the classroom and the professional world, but what you learn during that experience can go far beyond technical skills. During my internship, I discovered lessons that shaped not only my professional development, but also my confidence, mindset, and approach to teamwork.

The Most Important Lesson I’ve Learned

One of the most valuable insights I gained is the importance of public speaking and communication in the workplace. The way you approach people, how you present yourself, and the confidence you project all make a difference in how effectively you collaborate with others. Something I realized early on is that you don’t need to know everything to be good at your job. What you do need is curiosity, openness, and the willingness to ask questions. Many mistakes in the workplace stem not from a lack of skill, but from hesitation; hesitation to speak up, to clarify expectations, or to admit uncertainty. Asking one simple question is often much easier than fixing a problem created by not asking it. Beyond soft skills, I also learned that data accuracy and timing are absolutely essential for producing meaningful analytics and reporting. When analysts work with unreliable or outdated data, the insights become misleading, which can reduce trust from leadership. Ensuring that everyone on your team is aligned, informed,

How I Approached Networking and One Moment That Stood Out

Networking can feel intimidating, especially if you identify as an introvert, but creating genuine connections is one of the most powerful ways to grow in your career. At my internship, I made a conscious effort to step out of my comfort zone. I asked questions, shared ideas, and tried to present myself as someone who is approachable and proactive. One moment that truly impacted me happened during my first week. I didn’t know anyone yet, but I made it a habit to greet everyone on the floor every morning. Over time, people began to recognize me, and those small interactions turned into conversations, trust, and eventually strong working relationships. That combination of warmth and consistent effort helped me build a network naturally.

My Biggest Contribution to the Team

The contribution I’m most proud of is the development of automation tools that transformed several time-consuming manual tasks into streamlined processes. These tools not only saved hours of repetitive work each week but also improved accuracy and freed up time for more strategic analysis. The idea came from experiencing firsthand how long those manual processes took. Instead of accepting them as they were, I took it as an opportunity to improve efficiency, not only for myself, but for the entire team. This experience showed me how small innovations can create meaningful impact.

What I Want to Learn Next After this internship

I’m excited to deepen my knowledge in data warehousing, system connections, and real-world data pipelines. While I studied these topics in school, I wanted to understand how they work in practice, how data flows across systems, how to structure it for the right users, and how to make different sources integrate seamlessly. This is the next step I want to take in my analytics journey.

Advice for Students Still Searching for an Internship

Finding an internship can feel overwhelming, but here’s the advice I would give:

• Build connections: talk to classmates, professors, and professionals.
• Attend job fairs and career events regularly.
• Apply consistently, even when it feels discouraging.
• After applying, reach out to Baruch alumni working at that company.
• Practice your interview responses and keep improving.

Remember: every “no” brings you one step closer to the “yes” you’ve been waiting for. Persistence is truly your best ally