Student Success interns had the opportunity to present their campus innovation at this year’s NACAS conference. Check out behind-the-scenes footage as interns from Texas A&M and University of Houston share their internship experience and how they are driving innovation.
University of Houston has the new frictionless markets and you’ve been part of the rollout. Tell us about your experience.
The new Market is the fastest and safest convenience store experience ever. No cashiers, no waiting in line, no hassle.
As an intern, I got to see how Chartwells, University of Houston and Boost technology collaborated to a successful market rollout with such innovative approaches. It was a great experience to see hands on how these companies able to come together and create the final product where they all had a visible contribution.
So cool being able to see it all come together. How has your role in this innovative project relate to your internship?
The entire project has been a great experience, but as a Data Analytics intern, beta testing the program before it released was my favorite part. I was able to meet with our vendor, Boost and learn how the back end of the program worked. It was so cool to be able to test the product before everyone else. And able to learn how program worked before available to public. If I wasn’t part of Chartwells, I wouldn’t have that experience.
Texas A&M is known for Culinary Innovation on campus. Tell us about your favorite spot and what they’re doing that’s different and innovative.
Copperhead Jacks is not only my favorite restaurant on campus, but arguably the favorite spot for students and faculty alike. This retail location is one of a kind at Texas A&M and offers a variety of southern tex-mex style dishes providing a wide variety of ingredients and a more customizable meal.
Copperhead is a personal favorite to me in the fact that my fellow graphic design interns created all the graphics, logos and menu boards in the restaurant. So we take pride in the restaurant because our interns really made it what it is.
As a marketing intern, tell us how you push the needle and keep culinary programs innovative.
Every October, we have a massive student satisfaction survey Voice 2 Vision. My role as an intern is to conduct the survey and analyze the data. Administrating this survey alone has taught me simple interpersonal skills; being friendly, genuine and caring with all students.
At the conclusion of the survey, I take the data and am able to make specific recommendations on how I believe we can better our dining operations on campus. It’s cool I have the authority to make accurate and reliable predictions just as an intern.
How has working with innovative projects like this prepared you for your future career?
There are many tools and skills I’ve learned during this project and internship that will benefit me in long run. Part of what I do as marketing intern, I focus on communication and keep students informed with events, LTOs and meal plan. I’ve worked with two software programs, constant contact and survey monkey which I’ve become effective and efficient in.