Student Perspectives: Communication, Initiative, and Impact

Siddhi Kataria (MS Business Analytics '26)

During my internship at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), I worked within the IT Operations and Client Support team, primarily supporting the onboarding process for new hires, rehires, and employee transfers. My responsibilities included reviewing onboarding requests in ServiceNow, validating employee information, coordinating with hiring managers, and ensuring employees received the correct system access and equipment. I also worked with reports and operational data using tools such as Excel, Power BI, and SharePoint to help monitor workflows and improve efficiency within the team.

In addition to my day-to-day responsibilities, I was encouraged to identify inefficiencies in existing processes and find ways to improve them. This gave me the opportunity to take initiative and work on automation projects using Power Automate and Excel. Through these projects, I helped streamline manual reporting and administrative tasks, which reduced processing time and minimized errors. The role combined technical, analytical, and communication skills, allowing me to gain hands-on experience in both IT operations and process improvement.

During my internship, one of the most valuable lessons I learned was how critical communication is within a team. Strong communication helped me build genuine connections, stay transparent in my work, and contribute more effectively. Those relationships ultimately played a key role in my transition to a full-time position after the internship.

I also reached out to different departments and spoke with managers and directors to better understand how the organization operated as a whole. I was especially intrigued by the complexity of the MTA and wanted to see how it all came together. These conversations introduced me to people across a wide range of roles, backgrounds, and experience levels. Even though I chose to stay with my original team, those connections opened doors and gave me a broader perspective on the company.

One of my biggest contributions was helping automate manual processes using tools like Power Automate and Excel. I developed workflows that streamlined how reports were processed and distributed, reducing manual effort, minimizing errors, and improving efficiency. This allowed the team to spend more time on higher-value work instead of repetitive tasks.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue developing my skills in data analytics and automation. I’m particularly interested in exploring more advanced tools and learning how data can drive better decision-making and business outcomes.

For students struggling to land an internship, my advice is to stay consistent and open-minded. Apply broadly, even to roles that may not perfectly match your initial expectations. Take advantage of networking opportunities through school, platforms like LinkedIn, and personal connections. Don’t hesitate to send cold messages or emails because most people are more willing to share their experiences than you might expect. Focus on building long-term relationships, even if they don’t lead to immediate opportunities. Persistence and adaptability make a real difference.