Jeremy Slawin

College: Columbia
Graduating Year: 2012
Branch: Houston TX – Summer 2009
Students taught: 35

Why I did the SMP:

I was very lucky to come across the summer management program in my search for a summer internship. Most other summer jobs I had been considering consisted of minor positions at big companies-- basically places where I would have little impact. Ivy Insiders gave me an opportunity to take charge and manage a business, while lending a lot of freedom towards what my work experience would look like. The SMP gave me everything I was looking for-- a chance to do something unique and interesting with a flexible schedule, a job where my efforts would make a real difference, be at home with friends and family, and make good spending money at the same time.

About my experience:

While the prospect of being in charge of a business was intimidating and stressful at first, I really grew and learned a lot about myself as a person through the course of the summer. Of course Ivy Insiders provided great resources to help assuage these initial fears with our weekly regional calls, constant e-mail advice from central management, and of course the great curriculum. Needless to say, everything worked itself out in the end, and my experience was excellent.

While learning management and entrepreneurial skills were very important takeaways from my summer experience, the most valuable things I gained were learning how to deal with stress, managing my time effectively and staying organized, working as a part of a team (with my comanager), resolving conflict, and obtaining a better understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses.

Overall, it was a great experience that I would recommend to anyone!