Starting Out Right at Caterpillar!

Integrity, teamwork, excellence and commitment are Caterpillar’s core values, which directly align my personal core values. After Caterpillar intern orientation for the company’s 300 summer 2007 interns, I was elated to know I am working for a company that prides itself in committing to its customers and employees. The Caterpillar brand is known world wide and its logo is synonymous to quality, dependability and trust. Because of these commitments and the efforts taken at Caterpillar to ensure top quality performance by not only their equipment, but also their employees, my company has big plans for the future that expand into 2020.

It is extremely rewarding to know that work I do today as an intern is helping advance the company’s ambitions to reach their goals they have set for 2020. Learning about Caterpillar’s goals for 2010 and 2020 at orientation was very fulfilling, as it allowed me to concretely see where the company is going and that employees are together working towards specific goals.

These first three days of my internship experience have been extremely fulfilling. Although the first day, orientation, was basically paperwork, the words communicated by the intern coordinator were extremely positive and motivating. Plus, by my estimation, of the 300 summer 2007 interns, over half are returning for a second, third or fourth internship experience—this is refreshing.

On the second day, the Marketing and Product Support Division (MPSD) interns met with our coordinator for an overview of more specific requirements for our area. These specific requirements included work expectations, program benefits, assignments, dress code and intern socials. Additionally, we received a tour of a Caterpillar building and were then dismissed to our permanent locations.

It was very exciting to learn which building I am located in this summer. Very few (yet very fortunate) interns are placed in this building, as it is the building housing Caterpillar’s most senior officials. How extremely blessed I am to be part of such a prime opportunity!

Additionally on my second day I met my supervisor and teammates. My official job title as presented to me by my supervisor reads, “Intern will provide assistance and support to the Advertising Job Directors, Black Belt and Trade Press Editors. Specific responsibilities include: updating image library in the Trade Press website using images with new Trade Dress, assist in downloading editorial content to the Trade Press website, coordinate annual Trade Press editors survey, assist in assembly of press kits, support Advertising Job Directors and department Black Belt in the execution ok key initiatives (i.e. Global Advertising Framework).” As in- depth as this description is, I am extremely excited to begin my tasks and make what I hope is a positive impact on Caterpillar. As an intern I look forward to not working as an intern, but working as a full time manager at Caterpillar and having the same influence on my teammates that a manager has. One of my favorite quotes of the intern coordinator from my orientation is, “Dress not for the position you have, but dress for the position you want to have.” In other words, do not just give the efforts and impressions of an intern, instead supply the work and dedication of the position you desire. For me, this means I have a lot to contribute as the positions I desire include CEO of the company or vice president.