Lyle School of Engineering – Hunt Institute for Engineering & Humanity

March 25, 2022March 25, 2022

March 10, 2022 ImpactNights™ – Women of Impact: Leading Change in our Global Society

March 10, 2022 ImpactMaps™ Women of Impact: Leading Change in our Global Society

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Hunt Institute hosted its first in-person event of the academic year on March 10, titled “Women of Impact: Leading Change in Our Global Society.” The event was attended by about 40 guests and is the latest installment in HI’s ImpactNights series, designed to build awareness, collaboration, and empowerment to lead change in a global society.

Led by Dr. Eva Csaky, Executive Director of Hunt Institute, and Corrie Harris, Assistant Director at Hunt Institute, the event celebrated the impact of women in all areas of society through academic achievement, philanthropic contributions, environmental work, community outreach efforts, and more.

Women of Impact featured a range of leaders in STEM, climate-smart, and DEI spheres, including Kathy Hubbard, a Hunt Institute Fellow and Assistant Dean for DEI at SMU Lyle School of Engineering; Dr. Aurelie Thiele, a Hunt Institute Fellow and Associate Professor of Operations Research and Engineering Management at Lyle; and Dr. Candice Bledsoe, a Hunt Institute Fellow, the Executive Director of the Action Research Center, and the founder of the Collective.

The event was broken into three sessions covering important topics like climate-smart economic development, diversity and inclusion, and decision-making through robust optimization.

“We talked a lot about the different risks people face in their business or area of expertise, and about robust optimization and scenario planning that can help them mitigate the risks they face,” said Dr. Theile, who led a session on making decisions under highly uncertain circumstances. “It’s so impressive to see the projects people have come here to do in the DFW area. You get people from different backgrounds who love talking to different people. There were some very interesting conversations.”

Jared Helmsberger, a Master’s student in sustainability at SMU, participated in Dr. Thiele’s breakout session. “It kind of touches on game theory, which is super interesting to me. It really does come back to the smallest social aspects of all these different things and how the small interactions can empower people to completely change their approach to life. Even in small conversations like this, you can pick up so many small things about how everyone’s operating within the same framework. It can change your whole perspective.”

Leroy Ahwinahwi, a Master’s student at SMU in engineering, said his favorite thing about ImpactNights is being able to hear multiple people from different backgrounds and experiences speak about their passions. “They are able to connect and inspire, which could lead to potential future collaborations.”

During these uncertain times, the ImpactNights series is committed to discovering and embracing stories of women who inspire, empower, and demonstrate resilience even in the most challenging situations.

Written by Chris Kelley with contributions from Bri Flores

Photos by Bri Flores

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the Institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu

October 21, 2021February 10, 2022

DeeDee Conway, Ed.D., Hunt Institute Fellow

DeeDee Conway Ed.D. serves as an Associate Dean at the Lyle School of Engineering and Research Assistant Professor in the Caruth Institute for Engineering Education at Southern Methodist University. DeeDee joins The Hunt Institute team as a Fellow, accompanied by her valuable expertise in education.

Her research focuses on engineering education professional development and technical training as a means of understanding what institutions do to prepare students for not only positions in the industry but also positions in higher education, such as organizational and leadership development practices. This includes the analysis of cultural norms within an institution and opportunities for the reform of education to better suit the requirements of today’s industry and higher education institutions. Other research interests include creating a better understanding of culture in education, finding ways to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as understanding the needs of non-traditional learners.

DeeDee’s recent publications are grounded in identifying pathways to prosperity for underserved populations, adult learners, and organizational leadership/culture. DeeDee holds a BBA from American Public University and her M.Ed. in Education and Ed.D. in Higher Education from Southern Methodist University.

When asked what motivates her impact work, DeeDee said, “I want to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to advance and grow in whatever way they choose. I work to advocate and help those that have difficulty navigating through various systems, policies, and processes.”

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

October 8, 2021February 15, 2022

Kathy Jack, Ph.D., Hunt Institute Fellow

Kathy Jack The Dallas Healthy Cities Program Director for The Nature Conservancy in Texas (TNC)

Katherine Jack, Ph.D., brings her expertise in environmental technologies, sustainable development, and community health and resilience to the Hunt Institute as a newly appointed Fellow. Since 2017, she has served as The Dallas Healthy Cities Program Director for The Nature Conservancy in Texas (TNC), working with community partners to create a climate-resilient Dallas and to leverage the power of nature to benefit all residents. Dr. Jack also serves as Co-chair for the TNC Cities Network group to refine shared metrics for human and conservation well-being in the urban landscape.

Dr. Katherine Jack is an experienced Program Director and researcher, with more than twenty years working in both local government and non-profit sectors to advance community conservation, resilience, and sustainability. Her focus has always been at the intersection of people and nature. This includes the social dimensions of conservation and technological innovation, with expertise in renewable energy, emissions science, and nature-based strategies (NBS).

Notably, one of her recent research project publications is “Green Stormwater Infrastructure for Urban Flood Resilience: Opportunity Analysis for Dallas, TX”. This research study was conducted by Dr. Jack and TNC team, as well as Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, to assess the potential for GSI to enhance stormwater flood management in Dallas. Wherein, her team identified substantial cost-effective opportunities to deploy GSI for flood resilience and community benefits within the City of Dallas.

Her other key initiatives include advancing local air monitoring for improved public health outcomes, a collaborative effort of tree planting through Cool & Connected Oak Cliff, serving on the Stakeholder Advisory Committee to Dallas’ Environmental and Climate Action Plan, and on the Best Practices Advisory Committee for the Texas Tree Foundations’ Southwestern Medical District Streetscape Transformation project.

When asked what motivates her to do impact work, Dr. Jack said, “I am solutions driven! I am motivated by the urgency and complexity of the challenges we face at the intersection of society and the environment, and I am absolutely inspired by the richness of creating solutions with people across disciplines, experiences, and perspectives.”

Dr. Jack received her Bachelor of Arts in Environment and Society from Cornell University, a Master of Science in Environmental Resources Engineering, in the International Development Technologies Program at Humboldt State University, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the University of North Texas.

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

October 6, 2021February 15, 2022

Summer Internship Experience: Natalie Owings

My time at La Tarte Tropézienne was a reality check on my ambition and my degree. I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy my time there, in fact, it was an amazing experience. Unlike a typically discussed experience, my internship was a path towards self-discovery.

To start, I was beyond excited to begin this summer work adventure. It was a perfect combination of two interests and degrees: French and marketing. Before an official introductory meeting with my boss, I had already brainstormed a social media facelift and marketing strategy. I wanted to apply my ideas immediately.

For the first month and a half, my work was praised and my eagerness to impress grew. I accepted multiple projects even though I didn’t have the time for them. Unfortunately, a health issue combined with work overload halted my progress. Compared to the beginning of my internship, my performance lacked the usual flare. At the time, I didn’t understand what was happening, but I had reached my limits.

I realized my desire to constantly impress caused burnout. I wasn’t meeting personal expectations, so I continued to stress myself. Initially, I loved my internship, but I soon began to fear it. I despised the reality I soon discovered; I didn’t want to do social media for a living. I would like to say I’m knowledgeable in the subject, but I do not have a passion for it. This new reality scared me because I thought I would have to change my major. I love doing creative projects, but that doesn’t mean social media is the only route in creative marketing. I have other options and my skills can be applied elsewhere.

I thought this internship would solidify my career choice, but I’m just entering the work world. Internships are trial runs. I’m young, and I have time to make mistakes and discoveries about myself. The road from an internship to one’s first job is never straight. The path has twists and turns, ups and downs, and tunnels where a sense of direction is unclear. I ingrained in my mind the idea that everyone has their life and career figured out at twenty-one. That’s not true. I wanted that easy path, but I honestly needed this journey to recognize what I truly want. La Tarte Tropézienne provided this introspection, and I’m incredibly thankful for the work opportunity and my newfound knowledge.

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

October 1, 2021February 10, 2022

Alex Radunsky, Ph.D., Hunt Institute Fellow

Alex Radunsky, Ph.D. joins the Hunt Institute as a Fellow, bringing his expertise in mixed-methods research in public health and health behaviors. Alex is an innovative research scientist and educator who uses complexity aware methods to disentangle health systems challenges, with a particular interest in how technological and scientific innovation can be leveraged for public good.

Dr. Radunsky is a Visiting Researcher at the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health at Heidelberg University, and he also serves as Director of Global Health and Policy at the Institute for Technology & Global Health. He received his BA in Political Science and his MPH in Epidemiology before earning his doctoral degree in Global Health and Population from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

When asked what motivates him about impact work he responded, “I use data and complex adaptive systems analysis to more deeply understand what we all need as human beings.”

He has conducted multi-sectoral evaluations of health, health behaviors and health service institutions in over a dozen countries while working at the Earth Institute at Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania. Alex has presented work to expert audiences at numerous international conferences. This work uses qualitative and quantitative methods to focus on individual perception, institutional practices, community traditional practices, gender, marginalized populations, HIV, infectious disease, malnutrition, and more. His published research includes pieces on the quality of global health evaluations by aid agencies and child stunting reduction in sub-Saharan African countries.

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

October 1, 2021February 10, 2022

Biodegradable Plastics Research – Where Engineering & Chemistry Intersect for Broader Impact

In the Hunter and Stephanie Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity’s Global Development Lab, our interdisciplinary teams made up of students, fellows, faculty, and industry professionals are working to create meaningful solutions to promote resilient humanity, all of which address the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Where Engineering & Chemistry Intersect for Broader Impact report addresses biodegradable plastics where engineering and chemistry intersect.

Currently, many biodegradable products in the market are bio-based, such as polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids, and are focused on conventional plastic applications. This approach to the production of biodegradable plastics, however, is facing mounting challenges due to high cost, weaker performance, and environmental issues. Additionally, several biodegradable plastics have proven to break down quickly under specific, simulated environmental conditions, but they may not be effectively degradable under natural conditions. As a result of these challenges and many alike, there is a gap in the market.

As our Project Affiliates, Dr. David Son and Dr. Paul Krueger are investigating a prototype plastic that has predictable degradation and mechanical properties, in order to bridge this gap. In the spirit of interdisciplinary innovation, they seek to develop a joint chemical and engineering approach to biodegradable plastics for broader impact.

Dr. Son says, “As a chemist, I have the capability and knowledge to design a material from the molecular level up. It’s a challenge to synthesize a material with the ‘right’ properties. You can prepare a material cheaply, but it may not degrade. Or you can make a material that degrades too quickly or is not 3D-printable. In today’s world, the plastics disposal problem is not going away anytime soon, and it is exciting that Professor Krueger and our labs can help make a difference.”

Dr. Krueger says, “Material properties are important for durability and functionality of engineered systems. But they are also important for what happens when you are finished using the system. Having materials that can fulfill their design role as well as existing materials and can also easily degrade to facilitate future disposal is extremely valuable, but difficult to achieve. It’s a pleasure working with Prof. Son to achieve this dream and help to reduce plastic waste.”

There are many uses for biodegradable plastics to address our current state of plastics pollution. One potential future application could be biodegradable plastic used in combination with 3-D printing technology specifically designed for use with the unique geometric properties of the biodegradable prototype plastic. Compatibility with 3D printing methods would help to facilitate biodegradable plastic’s replacement of other less desirable materials, especially given its rapidly growing adoption and application for manufacturing both prototype and production components. The lab is developing a 3D printing technology (extrude and cure additive manufacturing, or ECAM) that can simultaneously print and cure thermoset polymers such as those considered in this project.

Another significant opportunity for the biodegradable plastic industry is an application towards alleviating medical waste. Focusing on producing better-quality medical supplies and reducing the end-of-life waste associated with such products, this application works towards the third UN SDG “to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages,” as well as the fourteenth UN SDG, which aims “to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources”[1].

In order to address this challenge, our team of multidisciplinary students and subject matter experts has been working diligently to develop biodegradable plastic with more desirable characteristics and predictable degradation properties. Through this research, they hope to address medical waste and produce a product that could potentially be used in 3D printing. A portion of the report provides a market analysis of biodegradable plastics, a discussion of their applications, and updates from the lab’s progress in their research.

Both the Son and Krueger labs continue to research a biodegradable plastic that is comparable in function and cost to the industry standard while achieving alternatives to traditional disposal and decomposition. Continue to read the Hunt Institute Digest for more information about this project and others like it.

Undergraduate Project Managers: Sydney Lobato and Taylor Grace

Undergraduate Research Analyst: Katherine Nguyen

Undergraduate Lab Researchers: Son Lab: Anderson Wey and Jamie Hall; Krueger Lab: Sami Streb

Global Development Lab Portfolio Manager: Corrie A. Harris, M.A., MBA

Hunt Institute Affiliates: Dr. David Son and Dr. Paul Krueger

[1] Oceans – United Nations Sustainable Development. (n.d.). Retrieved 2020, from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/oceans/

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

September 16, 2021February 16, 2022

Benjamin J. Vann, Hunt Institute Fellow

As a Fellow in the Hunt Institute, Benjamin J. Vann brings his expertise in finance, philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and impact investing, combined with deep grass root social sector experience in community organizing, civic engagement, economic empowerment, and non-profit governance. Benjamin is the Founder and CEO of Impact Ventures, a startup accelerator with a mission to eliminate the social and economic barriers for underrepresented Women and Minority Entrepreneurs launching high growth, tech or tech-enabled businesses and social enterprises. He is also a member of the Leadership Council for the Inclusive Economy Consortium.

Benjamin is the Founder and Managing Partner at the Inclusive Capital Fund (ICF), an impact-first investment fund focused on economic justice. ICF uses integrated capital to improve access, opportunity, and outcomes across LMI communities and diverse entrepreneurs both locally and abroad. Previously, he worked as Finance Manager at Good Returns Group, a global social enterprise startup working to transform corporate philanthropy through impact investing and micro-lending. He worked as the North Texas Philanthropy Officer at The Trust for Public Land, Fundraising Associate at Fidelity Charitable, managing the worlds largest Donor Advised Fund, spent time as a Financial Analyst at Fidelity Investments, and various roles in Banking prior to relocating to Texas.

Benjamin has been recognized both locally and nationally as a results-oriented change maker and thought leader for his business insight, strategy, collaborative cross-sector approach, and unique skillset to create innovative business models, initiatives, and solutions that positively impact communities. He speaks frequently to audiences on topics surrounding conscious capitalism, building inclusive entrepreneur ecosystems, impact investing/venture capital, inclusive leadership, social entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and more. He is a 2020 Boston Impact Initiative Fund Building Fellow, 2018 World Economic Forum Global Shaper Fellow, Partner at Dallas Social Venture Partners, Dana Juett Social Venture Resident, and 2015 Mayor’s Star Council Alumni.

When asked what motivates Benjamin to do impact work he answered, “Genius is evenly distributed across zip codes however access and opportunity are not” As change agents we are motivated to unlock resources that create access and opportunities for others. This is my why.”

As a dedicated servant leader, Benjamin currently serves as an executive board member for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Dallas Chapter and The Dallas Foundations Good Works Under 40 Selection Committee. He previously served as a City of Dallas appointee to the South Dallas Fair Park Opportunity Fund, South Dallas Fair Park TIF Board, Bishop Arts Theatre Center, Anthem Strong Families, DISD Innovation Design Entrepreneurship Academy (IDEA), and Aspire — Fidelity Investment Regional African-American and Latino Employee Resource Group. In 2015, he launched the Dallas County Civic Alliance, a citywide Get Out The Vote initiative that resulted in registering over 10,000 residents in Dallas County. He is also a member, volunteer and supporter of the DFW Urban League Young Professionals, NSBE DFW, and The NAACP Dallas Chapter.

Benjamin has received a number of awards and recognition by both regional and national media and news publications. In 2021, he was appointed RSF Finance Just Economy Institute Fellow and the recipient of the DMagazine DCEO 500 award. He was named one of the top 50 innovators in DFW in Dallas Innovates The Magazine 2020 Edition. In 2019, he was nominated for Cosign Magazine’s Tech Innovator and Public Figure of the Year Award, as well as Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2017. Awarded DFW Urban League Business of the Month, in 2016, he was featured in the 3rd and 4th edition of Who’s Who in Black Dallas Publication, In 2015, he awarded 40 under 40 Future Leaders in Dallas by i10 Magazine, named top 28 #BlackDFWMatters influencers, and featured on the cover of Be Great Magazine, Dallas Millennials Edition.

Benjamin is a Midwest native of Wichita, KS and earned his Bachelor Degree in Finance from Washburn University, where he was also a standout Defensive Back. Benjamin also played professional football in the Indoor Football League (IFL) for the Kansas Koyotes and was the Defensive Coordinator at Highland Park High School in Topeka, KS. He is a self-taught musician of four instruments, avid vinyl collector, and a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated.

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

September 14, 2021February 16, 2022

Summer Internship Experience: JuliaGrace Walker

Many of our student workers were able to spend this summer participating in various internships outside of the Hunt Institute. Students often return from these experiences with a fantastic arsenal of newly acquired skills, ideas, and perspectives. This summer, the Undergraduate Program Manager in the Institute, JuliaGrace Walker, was a Staff Intern for Ambassador E. Tony Wayne at the Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The Wilson Center, located in Washington, D.C., is a non-partisan think tank focusing on “tackling global issues through independent research and open dialogue to form actionable ideas for the policy community.” JuliaGrace shared the following about her internship experience:

During my internship in Washington D.C. this summer, I had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in current events, politics, and trade in regard to Mexico. I also continued to practice a higher level of Spanish by reading news articles on issues pertinent to Mexico’s domestic policy and government. I mastered condensing large, dense topics into specific, concise bullet points for presentations. I also managed and updated data for several graphs on topics such as homicide rates, border apprehensions, and the top trade partners of the U.S.

As an intern, I was in charge of helping with the logistics of our hybrid and virtual events centered around special topics regarding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). I learned about the different successes, challenges, and stakeholders involved in several USMCA chapters. I am very thankful for my newly acquired knowledge of the USMCA, Mexico’s politics, and current events.

Throughout my internship, I also gained a lot of insight on US trade relations and trade-related foreign policy. I was also fortunate to meet several Ambassadors and USAID foreign service officers who shared insights and advice on a career in the Foreign Service. Overall, this summer prepared me for future endeavors in the international affairs sector.

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

August 31, 2021February 21, 2022

Summer Internship Experience: Sydney Lobato

I had never done data analytics before, so it was an exciting challenge to take up. My team focused on the satisfaction score, which is the measure of how satisfied customers are with the price of items. I was tasked to understand why this score had been increasing and if there are any additional ways to continue its upward trajectory. I learned how to filter through thousands of data results from surveys to see which drivers within AT&T were causing this score to increase. I also took those drivers and did a deeper investigation to find areas of improvement for the company that would also result in a better score. Throughout the summer I gave presentations to my team, communicating the results I had found along with additional insights from my analysis.

Although this experience was virtual, I still felt very involved, and I really liked the numerous events focused on immersing interns in the company experience. These included a group activity with fellow interns, social get-togethers, and hearing about the many different sides of AT&T. One takeaway from my internship was the experience of networking with the people I met. Everyone was willing to help if I had any questions, and I gained knowledge on different job roles along with a ton of advice through networking. This summer was also a fantastic learning experience; I acquired a new understanding of data analytics and how you can use numbers and statistics to tell a story about what is happening within a company. I went out of my comfort zone with this position, but I am so grateful I did because I know I can use this skill in many future endeavors. I really enjoyed my internship, and I am so appreciative for all the people I got to work with and meet. I expanded my time management, collaboration, creative thinking, and communication skills and I look forward to using these abilities in the Hunt Institute.

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

August 31, 2021February 16, 2022

Summer Internship Experience: Sofia Murillo

“Sofia, if you had the chance to intern at AT&T again, would you change anything?” asked an AT&T Senior Executive during my intern synopsis presentation. At that moment, I took a few seconds to truly reflect on my summer internship at AT&T.

Over the course of my 10-week long internship, I helped with the recreation of the Compliance Data Management System (CDMS) used by thousands of EH&S (Environmental, Health, & Safety) employees through the creation of four user stories. User stories are documents that give IT/developers an idea of what the person/organization needs from a system being developed. In other words, it’s the instruction manual for developers but from the perspective of the user. The four user stories that I created had over 15,000 words and 100 pages combined. Completing these user stories was no easy feat. Coming into my internship, I knew nothing about EH&S which put me in a position where I had to be resourceful and network around the department to learn more about both CDMS and EH&S as a whole. At the end of my internship, I learned that the time and effort I put into creating the user stories would help AT&T save over a million dollars in time and resources annually.

Even though I kept myself busy with the creation of the user stories, I still sought some programming experience before the end of my internship. After some more networking around the company, I was notified of a project that would provide me that experience. My mini side-project involved using ReactNative and APIs to code a live project filter within a project tracking system used by a different department. Essentially, I helped streamline the search process within the system and I learned how to code using ReactNative (something I’ve always wanted to learn, especially as a Computer Science major and tech lover).

Beyond the projects I worked on, I also led the Intern Newsletter Team made up of 21 interns for three out of the four editions we published, as well as the Interviewing Team throughout the completion of the four editions. I also created and administered the main channel of communication for 176 interns.

Overall, the knowledge and experience that I took away from my internship at AT&T as well as the people I met along the way were absolutely invaluable.

So no, I would not have changed anything about my internship at AT&T, perhaps, at the most, I would have told myself to take a deep breath and trust the process.

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.