Natalie Reich ’28 connected her business analytics and AI studies with professional experience through project work and conversations with colleagues in Corning’s Optical Communications division.
Natalie Reich ’28, a business analytics and AI major from Flemington, N.J., went to Corning to learn how business analytics works beyond the classroom. Some of her most valuable lessons came from the people she met.
“Talking with people in different roles allowed me to learn about their career paths, experiences, and responsibilities,” Reich said.
As a customer experience program specialist intern in Corning’s Optical Communications division, Reich divided her time between project work and meetings. She wanted to apply her studies at the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business while strengthening her communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
“Going into the internship, I wanted to gain hands-on experience and develop professional skills that I could not fully learn in a classroom setting,” Reich said.
Corning’s reputation initially drew her to the company. She also saw the internship as an opportunity to understand how business analytics concepts apply to business situations.
Her work week included time in the office Tuesday through Thursday and remote work on Mondays and Fridays, with her routine varying according to the needs of her project.
Alongside her assignments, connections with colleagues gave Reich a closer look at different professional roles and helped her consider possibilities for her own future.
“The internship was a chance to explore different career paths and gain a better understanding of the type of work I may want to pursue in the future,” she said.