Olivia Kropp, a senior from Galena, Illinois, studying supply chain management and leadership studies, spent her summer as a managed transportation intern at Ruan Transportation Management Systems in Des Moines, Iowa.
“Every day was a little bit different. I worked on two teams this summer and got a lot of great experience,” she said. “On my first team, I worked directly with carriers and ensured that each load was picked up and delivered at the right time and place. On my second team, I worked closely with the distribution center to ensure the product was off the floor and on trucks so they could continue with production.”
Kropp first learned about Ruan through one of her classes when the instructor invited a couple of Ruan employees to visit the class and talk about their jobs in transportation. This sparked her interest in the company, and when she found out they were attending a supply chain career night event a few weeks later, she jumped at the opportunity to connect with their representatives.
“I decided to apply because of the wonderful people I met at the career fair and during class,” Kropp said. “They had nothing but great things to say about the company, and it sounded like something I wanted to be a part of. I was also interested in their managed transportation department, which is where I worked all summer.”
Kropp speaks highly of her time at Ruan and enjoyed the experiences she had with her co-workers. Ruan puts a lot of effort into making their internships as beneficial as possible for the interns, which Kropp was able to experience first-hand.
“In the short time I spent at Ruan, I was able to get a lot of hands-on experience, helping to learn more about the industry than I ever could in a classroom. Being in the office and communicating with my co-workers was a very beneficial and exciting part of my internship.”
The Ivy College of Business provides many opportunities and resources to help students succeed academically and professionally. Kropp has taken full advantage of these opportunities during her time at Ivy and credits her involvement as being a big help in preparing for the internship.
“I have been a peer mentor for the past three years and am on the executive team for Women Impacting Supply Chain Excellence (WISE). I have also taken full advantage of the Business Career Services office and got great advice and tips for all stages of the internship-seeking process.”
While Kropp’s various involvements make for a fairly busy schedule, she keeps a healthy balance in her life and stresses the importance of finding time to do things that make you happy.
“I like to spend time with my friends, get involved around campus, and support the Cyclones! Some of my favorite memories over the past few years have been attending Cyclone football and basketball games with my friends. When I am not cheering on the Cyclones at an event, a lot of my free time is spent at my sorority, Alpha Delta Pi. I have gotten very involved in the Panhellenic community over the past few years, and it is something that I am very proud to be a part of.”
Kropp’s various involvements have made for a vast collection of unforgettable experiences and have opened many doors as well. Getting involved at Ivy or pursuing an internship can be intimidating for many students, so with Kropp finding academic and professional success during her time here, she was able to provide some advice for other students looking to pursue an internship or involvement in the future.
“It is totally okay to be nervous and unsure about what you want or what to expect going into the career fair and recruiting season,” she said. “It is important to be confident in who you are and what you can bring to the table. This is a time to step out of your comfort zone and try something that challenges or excites you, so take that leap and be confident in who you are. When you are going up to an employer, take a deep breath, give a firm handshake, and look them in the eye. First impressions are important. Give them a good one!”
To connect with Kropp or to follow her collegiate and professional journey, visit her LinkedIn profile.
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