Recommendation of Internship

Why would you recommend this internship to fellow classmates?

The truth is, I wouldn't. But before my meaning gets construed, allow me to elaborate.

I would not recommend this internship because it is perhaps the single greatest internship anyone could ever have.

To spend the summer among people who truly care about each other, who make going to work every day fun, who value your contribution to the organization no matter how low on the totem pole you are...  to do that could be extremely detrimental.

As the poet Iain Thomas so simply wrote, "You are a drop of perfect in an imperfect world. And all I need, is a taste." By no means is Dwellworks - or any organization in the history of ever - perfect. But it is, in my opinion, among the best places to work. "And all I need, is a taste." It's like tasting the absolute best [insert food or beverage item here] and then never again being able to replicate said item. It has the potential to leave an emptiness and a longing to experience what you once had, to work for the company you once knew.

The moral of all of this? Do not intern for Dwellworks unless you are fully prepared to experience the best working summer of your life and face the possibility of never having such an experience in the rest of your career.

Albeit, there is always the very real possibility of being hired full-time or of staying on board a bit longer. After all, it's Monday of the 13th week, and I'm still here, aren't I?

All Good Things Have to Come to an End

I can't believe this internship is already over, time has just flown by. In my time here though I learned so much and gained so much knowledge.There is a lot of behind the scenes work that the Human Resource department is responsible for, that most people probably never realize- some that I never realized until I got here. Things such as managing employee files, keeping everything up to date, dealing with issues throughout the company, rolling out learning and development programs, setting up webinars for continuing education, 401k processes, benefit administration, parts of payroll, hiring, firing and everything in between. 

This internship has given me a great perspective on what Human Resources is all about. You can learn about it all you want in class, but until you really experience it for yourself, you don’t have a full understanding. I have got to experience a lot this summer. I was lucky enough to have a team that included me in whatever they did. I got to travel to the Detroit office, attend important meetings, go to HR conferences and much more.  This internship has just reassured me that I made the right decision in switching my major to Human Resources. It is something I really enjoy and can see myself doing for the rest of my life.

Dwellworks has shown me that not every business job has to be a boring 9-5, hate coming into work kind of job. Here at Dwellworks I looked forward to coming in everyday- the friendly people, strong values and just the open environment is what differentiates Dwellworks from any other business. I have learned so much in my short time here that will really give me an advantage when I go back to school, or when I go out to apply for jobs.

I really do feel like I have become a contributing member to the team here at Dwellworks and I will be sad to say goodbye, but I know that I have gained a network of not only business professionals, but lasting friendships.

Good luck to all of my fellow interns, it has been a pleasure working with each and every one of you. If you ever find yourself in Columbus be sure to visit! :)

- Valarie Reinig, HR

Week 12: What will you take away from this internship, and how will you use it in the future?: All things Close

It’s hard to believe it’s all ending.  Summer’s last days, in the way summer ends when school begins, are drawing close.  Our very first day, when we didn’t know each other at all, but we were eating each other’s favorite cereal, feels like yesterday.  But it was 12 weeks ago.  Every year this comes around, and it amazes me.  Summer days are supposed to be longer, but summer itself feels ever shorter. 

                

And so, as it all ends, this is, of course, the last week anyone will be writing these blog posts.  Thanks for reading!  It’s been a treat, to get to reflect on different aspects of my time at Dwellworks each week, and share it with those of you who read these.

               

I will certainly never forget my time at Dwellworks, and I’m sure it will shape my career in some ways.  I know I’ll never forget that workplaces don’t have to be boring.  I’ll never forget that people are worth more than the tasks they can do.  I’ll never forget that the ways things have always been done in American office culture is not the way things have to be.

Who knows where my career will take me?  At some point down the road I could be in a position of power where I’ll get to decide what kind of culture to create in an office.  If that opportunity ever emerges, I know I’ll think of Dwellworks: open, honest, fun, and team oriented.  In my mind, that’s the right way to run an office.  If it weren’t for Dwellworks, I don’t know if I’d be so willing to challenge the status quo.  If I hadn’t seen this type of workplace in action, I’m not sure I’d believe it exists. 

But it does exist.  It exists and it’s exciting.  I’ll miss coming to work at a place where people genuinely want to be, because everyone is kind of friends with everyone else.  It’s a pleasant, dynamic environment, and I wish everywhere I’ll ever work could be a lot like it.

But it has to end sometime.  Everything does.  I couldn’t work here forever if I wanted to- this type of law just isn’t my port of call.  Even in the best environment, doing what you’re not meant to be doing is eventually toxic somewhere down the road.  And so, with the close of the internship, I must be moving on to more enlivening endeavors.  As much as it fits the industry though, I don’t think Dwellworks’ office culture is uniquely or impossibly inherent to the relocation industry.  There’s no reason any other office I’ll end up in has to be a dull and impersonal place.  , I’ll do my best to brighten wherever I go.  I now know what an office can be, if everyone works together to make it that way.  I want to inspire the desire for better workplaces.  That’s the most important thing I’m taking with me from Dwellworks.

It’s been fun.  It’s been real.  Sometimes it’s been really fun.  But it’s over.  In 2 weeks, I’m back in law school, going ever and ever further up and further in, to the place I’m supposed to be in life.  Dwellworks has been a pleasant inn along the journey, but only a fool mistakes a pleasant wayside inn for the destination.  It has been an incredible summer, but it’s back out on the road of life for me.  I’ll never forget Dwellworks and the time I’ve had here.  And yet, when it’s time to go, it’s obvious, unmistakable, and unavoidable.   As much as I might dislike leaving Dwellworks, it’s invariably the right thing to do, and it’s right on time.

Adios,

-Zack

If you’d like to continue reading (much less frequent) blogposts by me, please visit www.postmoderncleveland.com

My Biggest Take Away

The biggest lesson I learned at Dwellworks wasn’t a skill or single moment of improvement. What I take away from my time at Dwellworks, is the importance of company values. I never realized how important it is to have strong values in a company and to stick to them, to live them day to day. Finding a company that follows their values and truly lives them is something I will always look for from now on. Having had such a wonderful experience here, I know it will be hard to find another company that so strongly practices what it preaches. As I continue to work, I know that I will use the culture and happiness that I found at Dwellworks and transfer it to every future job that I take and incorporate it into how I the future of business  to look. Thanks for such a great summer!   ~ Ana 

Biggest Takeaway

It’s impossible to narrow down all of my experiences this summer into one specific takeaway.  I have in the past and still struggle to see where I fit in in the business world.  I have played sports and been a part of a team my whole life.  Even at Ohio State where I don’t play an organized sport, I spend more time playing pick-up soccer than I have ever spent playing any sport in my life (keep in mind I grew up playing the highest level of travel hockey, so this is a bold statement).  All my passion goes into my favorite sports teams.  I feel so strongly towards sports that it is hard for me to sit at a desk on a computer for 40+ hours a week.  How could I possibly enjoy a career in business?

One of the things I love most about sports is the teamwork.  I have been a part of some amazing teams in my life and I’ve developed most of my closest friendships with my teammates over the years.  The amazing thing about the teams I’ve been on, and any team in general, is that there is an ultimate goal or dream which holds the highest importance to each individual, but it cannot be achieved alone.  A team needs to feed off each other’s strengths and strengthen each other’s weaknesses in pursuit of this common goal; setting aside any selfish feelings for personal glory for the sake of the team.     

Dwellworks has helped me begin to envision a future in business that isn’t just sitting at a desk on a computer, despite most of the work being done at a desk on the computer.  The employees have bought into the principle of teamwork; making sacrifices when needed but also utilizing everyone’s strengths for a common goal.  Close personal relationships form naturally within the Dwellworks team and integrity in ingrained in this unique work environment where innovation and fresh ideas thrive. 

Although relocation doesn’t have anything to do with soccer on a superficial level; looking deeper, the cross-cultural communication/adaptation and the teamwork among individuals for a common goal is very much the same.  I still don’t know what my future holds but Dwellworks has assured me that I don’t have to sacrifice my passions for a career in business.         

Alex

Global Supply Chain

Cleveland         

Cultural Funmensions-

I realize what a bad play-on-words the title is but i'm gonna stick by it!

What a crazy week we just had!

This week that just went by we presented the Cultural Dimensions project that we have been working on for 10 weeks! This whole week was packed with us just going over new things, practicing old ones and trying to master our presentation before bringing the internship to an amazing culmination!

Although one of the most hectic weeks, it was one of the best. Our team consisting of Amber, Colton, Valarie, Zach, Sophie, Kaitlyn, Alex and myself became very close in the final weeks, hearing each other's voices almost daily. It was fantastic getting so much closer with the team; we were able to bring up new ideas and constructively work as a team to fine tune the project!

Once we finished our presentation, it was so great to hear all of the fantastic feedback about things the audience learned as well as how impressed they were with the amount of information we gathered / work we put into the project! Getting to learn so much about other cultures around the world was an experience I wouldn't have wanted to get anywhere else. Working with interns from around the world coming from all different backgrounds ... drinking from all different types of milk containers  ... has been great in helping me broaden my understanding of the world!

Milk jokes aside, this internship has been amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better intern team and country partner! Learning about USA as well as UK has made me want to travel even more and with the experience i've gained from working here, I'm confident i'll be successful in my adventures!:)

Now back to my poutine!

Shane Mitchell
Destination Services Intern - Dwellworks
Ottawa, Canada

Projects

     Throughout my time here I have worked and assisted in many projects for our department. Being such a small team (3 + me) I got to see a lot of different sides of HR; the good, the bad and the ugly. I have learned a lot about benefits, compensation, and recruiting.

     One of the projects I just finished up is creating a guide that new hires can follow to make the onboarding process run more smoothly. Right now it’s overwhelming the amount of paperwork and documents we have to keep track of, all due at different times, and requiring different thing. So I’m working to get everything in one place so it’s easier and less stressful for the new hire.

      Recruiting is another big “project” that is ongoing, and is fun, but it takes a lot of time and effort. And this summer has been crazy with the amount of recruiting we have been doing. It starts by screening and finding a resume of a candidate with the right qualifications, then setting up a phone interview with that person to see if they are a right fit for the company, and if so bringing them in for an in person interview interview. It sounds easy, but you'd be surprised at how many candidates we have to go through until we find the right one for the job.

     It’s always so rewarding when you find a candidate that would be perfect for the position. When I first started, Jess would always talk about this gut feeling she got when she was talking to someone, and I never really understood what that meant until I experienced it for myself. As you’re talking on the phone with someone you just know that they are the definition of what Dwellworks is. Their personality, the way they speak, examples they use; everything just aligns with the way we do business here. It’s exciting to get to see the whole process through from start to finish; from the first interaction over the phone to that person’s first day on the job.

- Valarie Reinig, HR

Biggest Takeaway

I definitely learned a lot from this internship this past summer. My biggest takeaway by far was working on our intern group project. My group researched the cultural dimensions of the different countries that Dwellworks operates in. Working on the project for a total of ten weeks was an eye opener for everyone that participated. We all came from different cultures, environments, and schools which lead to somewhat of different opinions throughout the research process. Ultimately, we learned to adapt to one another and found out some interesting facts about each other that we wouldn’t have came across otherwise. The fact that milk comes in bags in Canada still is odd to me… J This project shows that we need to adapt to every day situations in the business world and that the world is becoming more global. Working with our international offices and learning about different cultures is something I will certainly takeaway with me for the future.

-Amber

A Summer's Worth

I can’t believe it! We are coming into the last week of the internship and it is a bittersweet moment.  In the past few weeks the office has been quite busy with a few people out of the office. I am glad that I was able to step in when help was needed. I was tasked with a couple new projects to help with the Supply Chain team in which I was excited to help lower the work load because this summer has been a busy one in recruiting new DSCs for increasing volume in certain metro areas.  The projects included creating scorecards, coverage surveys, and identifying suitable suppliers.  This whole summer has been fun yet productive. That surprises me because usually it’s either a fun or productive summer, but it was both. During the month of July a couple of the newer employees at Dwellworks including Ben and I actually got a tour through our beloved cities of Royal Oak and Birmingham.  The Detroit office has been working diligently in closing the month of June and had a billing prize drawing that Ben and I were included in as well. I was surprised when my name came out as I won a Subway gift card, but it was definitely nice to know that we were included in something like that because I wasn’t expecting anything out of it. Dwellworks is truly something that sticks their values and is expressed in every action.  As the interns are in the closing week of the internship, I cannot thank Dwellworks enough for this great opportunity!

 Also, this coke was sitting at my desk and I thought this was one of the coolest things. Thanks Amber! After a summer of getting to know some of the people at Dwellworks, I can say that they are what makes you come in and enjoy the work you do.

Andrew Tam

Detroit

Intern, Supply Chain

Worthy of a Recommendation (For Some)

Throughout the summer, I have learned that Dwellworks hires people not just based on their skills, but also, possibly even more importantly, based on their character.  For this reason, I would recommend this internship to my friends and classmates, but only those that would thrive in this type of environment. 

I would recommend Dwellworks to my friends and classmates that are ambitious, friendly, open-minded and team oriented.  This type of work environment is not for everyone; I have some friends and know plenty of classmates that prefer to work independently.  Independent workers have the tendency to have a narrow perspective and are motivated by self-glorifying results; therefore, they wouldn’t fit in here.

This summer, I have seen and experienced that Dwellworks employees thrive when working as a team.  This includes setting high goals for the team, the willingness to be open to and accept different ideas/opinions and the friendly interactions that come before, during and after the business interactions. 

Our cultural dimensions group project was a perfect example of this.  Having only been here for the summer, subconsciously and consciously, we began adapting to this environment and replicating the strong characteristics of our leaders.  This couldn’t happen unless we were open and eager to learn from others, 

which is one of the most important aspects of success here at Dwellworks.  

Alex  

Global Supply Chain

Cleveland 

'Our Strength Lies in Our Differences'

For our multi-national Cultural Dimensions team, yesterday saw the climax of our summer-long intern project. In one and a half short hours, we collectively delivered the culmination of eleven weeks' worth of research hours, conference calls, script-writing and practice presentations.

As its name would suggest, the aim of our project has been to acknowledge and understand the cultural diversity that exists in each of the countries in which Dwellworks operates. From the research that Shane and I have conducted into the USA and the interactions that I have been lucky enough to have with my fellow interns in Cleveland and Ottawa, I can wholeheartedly confirm that this has been achieved.

While working internationally can often prove a little logistically challenging, the minor technological hindrances that we experienced over the weeks were not enough to detract from a premise that was central to our presentation - 'culture only exists by comparison'. Indeed, from all of the countless hours of research and meetings this is undoubtedly the strongest idea that sticks in my mind. After all, if culture can only be defined in relation to other cultures, then how this is defined is not by what is the same, but by what it is unique.

From working so closely with Shane in Ottawa, I can definitely attest to the fact that 'strength lies in differences'. Although we realised quite early on that we have an uncanny amount of things in common, the things that we found the most interesting about each others' cultures were undeniably the things that were different. Let's be honest, I think we were all a little blown away by the fact that Canadians store milk in bags.

But all jokes aside, if there's one thing that I'd like the various teams at Dwellworks to take from yesterday's presentation, it is the idea that global diversity can only enhance and improve a company's prospects. This is something that I have experienced week-in, week-out during my time here at Dwellworks in the UK; I am confident that with this kind of mentality, the company can only continue to grow and expand.

To my fellow team-mates: Valarie, Zach, Amber, Colton, Alex, Kaitlyn and of course, Shane - I'd like to extend a huge thank you for all of your patience, time and hard work. The presentation was pretty killer, even if I do say so myself.

What a great way to spend a summer!

- Sophie Moore,
  DS Intern, UK

Week 11: Why Would You Recommend This internship to your Classmates?: Treehouses

                As this summer slowly rolls to a close (just 5 more days left after today, so that means just one more week), the two prompts I’ve saved til the end are holistically reflective.  This one, particularly, is considerably presumptuous. 

                It’s a bit of a gamble, to set up the intern program with set blog prompts, and have one that outright assumes the internship will be recommendable on the other side.  That gambit, I believe, probably pays off 9/10 times.  Truthfully, it’s hard to believe there are all that many internships aimed at undergraduates that are better than Dwellworks. 

                But therein lies the rub.  My classmates are no longer undergraduates.  I have not been an undergraduate for 5 years.  My eligibility for anything but the legal intern position ran out 6 years ago. 

                At the end of the day, I can whole-heartedly say that I have enjoyed the internship.  I am thankful for the opportunity, for the people I’ve met and worked with, and for the skills I’ve gained.  But I don’t know if I would recommend it to the majority of my classmates.  But I say that, not because there is anything wrong with the internship, but because of the profound differences between what the internship aims to accomplish, and what most students entering their last year of law school are looking to achieve. 

                As I mentioned last time, Dwellworks legal department is combined with compliance.  That’s fine and it works for a company like Dwellworks- but it doesn’t lend itself to stereotypical legal experience.  There’s no filing motions, no going to court rooms, no real negotiations of settlements, etc. etc.  For me, that’s fine.  I spent the last year in a litigation setting and this was a welcome change of pace.  Indeed, it’s a good change of pace, and probably mirrors more realistic legal experience. 

                But it’s likely not what most of my classmates are looking for.  Top that with blogposts and an absolutely un-legal, undergraduate style group presentation, and it’s just not altogether an attractive experience, from the outside looking in.   But not all of my classmates are so cutthroat that they wouldn’t be interested. 

I would recommend this position to those who might not be all that excited about practicing law after law school (the amount of those is significantly astounding).  I would recommend it to anyone who has struggled to find their preferred practice field.  I would recommend it to anyone with a somewhat entrepreneurial streak.  There is certainly real and valuable experience in this internship, but it’s not exactly of the sort most of my classmates are looking for.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s exactly how it ought to be.  Perhaps those who don’t want it are the one’s missing out.

-Zack

               

Fun

Integrity + Teamwork + Performance + Innovation + Fun

The above words comprise Dwellworks' core values. Yes, they might be written on a giant wall in the office, and yes, they might be talked about once or twice (or more). But Dwellworks' associates don't just plaster those five words on a wall superficially; rather, Dwellworks culture lives its values. 

This includes the often underrated value of fun.

To explain how I have had fun during this internship, we must first look at the definition of fun (which is conveniently spelled out on the wall right behind me).

Fun (adj.) 1. providing entertainment, amusement, or enjoyment <a fun party> <a fun person to be with> 2. full of fun: pleasant <have a fun time>

Based on the above definition, coupled with my experience at Dwellworks, I've come to one very simple conclusion:

Fun isn't just the big events; it's all the little things in-between. 

It's staying 20 minutes late after a meeting to engage in light-hearted conversation.
It's trying Thai and Vietnamese restaurants for the first time with colleagues. 
It's laughing with a coworker about something trivial.
It's indulging in 3-pm hot chocolate or watermelon.
It's talking about your upcoming weekend.
It's happiness that comes easily.
It's smiling because it's natural.

-Kaitlyn

Project Takeaways

Today was the day. Ten weeks of research, meetings, phone conversations, and PowerPoint-making culminated today, taking the form of one awesome presentation.

Over the past ten weeks or so, I've worked with fellow Dwellworks interns - five from Cleveland, Ohio; one from Ottawa, Canada; and one from Truro, England - on a project focusing on Hofstede's cultural dimensions in the countries in which we currently operate. It was a mind-opening experience, during which time I learned both valuable information related to cultural relativism and valuable skills related to what I'd like to call the "long distance business relationship."

It is sometimes hard to put into practice the information we read or are presented. However, in my role at Dwellworks, I have had several opportunities to apply what I've learned about cultural relatively - both generally and specifically. For example, we learned during the course of our project that many Latin and Central American countries prefer to nurture relationships before jumping right into business discussion. This is something I have taken into account when handling phone calls and emails with associates from our Mexico and Costa Rica offices, during which I make a conscious effort to open with engaging and genuine small talk. 

Aside from the fruits of some extensive research, I have also experienced long-distance business meetings in practical application. Phone meetings definitely have their challenges. The sound is sometimes muffled by the phone, and the lack of visual cues more-often-than-not leads to people unintentionally talking over each other, followed by an awkward pause while both retreat and then accidentally talk over each other again. Given that there were six interns in the Cleveland office, we had to be ever conscious of being considerate of Shane in Canada and Sophie in the UK; we had to make sure that we spoke loudly and clearly into the microphone and that we didn't speak over each other or engage in any side conversation. I also personally made a conscious effort to ask Shane and Sophie for their opinions, since I imagine it would be hard for them to chime in when members in the Cleveland office could so easily speak one after another. For an insightful look into what it is like on the other side of the phone, check out Sophie's blog post "Conference Dimensions." 

After ten weeks, two practice presentations, and many re-accommodations and adaptations, our presentation was delivered today in what I believe to have been a success. Members of our audience expressed praise, and we were very gracious that they all came to support us - although I was not the least bit surprised, given the company's supportive and encouraging culture.

While I am (surprisingly) sad that my time spent with my teammates has come to a close, I have taken away valuable insight, knowledge, and skills that I know will serve me in my future endeavors, both inside the business world and out. For that, I am pensive and grateful.

-Kaitlyn

Take me out to the ball game

     I recently won a pair of Detroit Tigers tickets in the billing raffle, and as you can see above, the seats were pretty awesome. I had assisted with closing and billing files in the last few weeks of June, but I think the fact that they included us interns in the raffle attests to the inclusive culture here at Dwellworks. I am very grateful for the culture of respect and teamwork here at Dwellworks. The friendly work atmosphere is directly responsible for my productivity as in intern, and despite the early mornings, my colleagues keep me coming back every day ready to work.

      Speaking of my colleagues, special thanks to Elizabeth Smith in Detroit because without her I would not have made it to this particular Tigers game. As I raced out of the office like it was the last day of school, I absent mindedly left the two tickets pinned to the wall of my cubicle. Elizabeth spotted them as she was leaving for the evening, tracked me down, and went out of her way to drop them off on her way home. We were late for the game, but were ultimately treated to a 14-5 Tigers victory over the Dodgers. I owe you one Elizabeth!

Ben Hardin, Destination Services Intern - Detroit
    

Experiencing Dwellworks Culture - Ana

When I think of the most unique trait that Dwellworks has, I would say fun. Fun is not usually a company goal or characteristic. Though I value the unique atmosphere of fun at Dwellworks, like I am sure many others do,  I truly think where Dwellworks shines, is when everyone must pull together to get something finished and out the door. This past week the marketing team has been on overload, cranking out rush order city guides. Most companies, as they get larger, get bogged down in the hierarchy and sheer number of people involved to complete a task. At Dwellworks, we are still just small enough where when it’s needed, we all stop our day to day tasks and jump in to help. Sometimes doing something as simple as count 200 chap sticks can help save enough time to get something out the door in time. I feel like teamwork is sometimes overlooked as one of Dwellwork’s main qualities. I feel like it plays a larger role in the day to day tasks here than anyone realizes. Without teamwork Dwellworks would not be as successful. Sometimes remember everyone is part of the big picture is more important than any individual task and I saw that in the marketing department this past week. Though our department is small, we are just as much a part of Dwellworks teamwork and I see that quality here every day. 

Mobile Walkthrough App

Over the course of the internship, I have helped my department with a lot of different projects. I think the most beneficial to the property managemtn department and most interesting project for me was working on the Mobile Walkthrough App. The app was created by an employee in the IT department and it is the first app released by Dwellworks. The app is to help field agents with their walkthrough reports and photos. Once they are sent in, they are put into a PDF file and sent to the PM and eventually the homeowner.

Before the app, field agents had to do the report by hand and scan or fax it into to us. Along with the report, there needed to be at least 25 photos taken and signatures. It sounds pretty simple, but combing them together is very time consuming. Some field agents wouldn’t sign the report, or date stamp the photos so we had to track them down to obtain this info before processing it. This app is going to eliminate all of the unnecessary work and make it easier for everyone.

I am happy to announce that the app has been completed and is in the testing phase right now with the field agents. I can’t wait to see the future of this app!

-Amber

Why Dwellworks?

I have learned more about how a business operates in the last ten weeks than I have throughout my entire academic career. I am sure this can be said for most people who conduct internships, but here are some of the things I thought were unique about it, or things Dwellworks did not necessarily have to do as part of my internship but can be incredibly helpful to my career endeavors throughout my life.

For starters, just in this last week, HR facilitated a workshop on resume writing, and interviews. This entailed being education on security of online profiles, where and how to apply for jobs based on my explicit career goals, how to maintain a professional appearance to potential employers, not just physically in person but over email and phone conversations as well. As a follow up to this workshop, the HR department is reviewing my resume, helping me set up my Linkedin profile, and conducting a mock interview with a member of senior management in order to better prepare myself for future interviews. Not to mention, my internship leader is a great supporting force to making sure I get the most experience out of these twelve weeks by giving me specific feedback in monthly evaluations.

I have learned an amazing bit of information about not only how a company works but also how I fit into the company. I have discovered when one begins their professional career; they create a professional identity. Similar to how others form opinions about you based on your interactions with them and defines the relationship in question. Only in business, the relationships with co workers, clients, and management is based on how one handles his/herself in a professional setting. Everyone has different goals and live their lives differently.  Just as I have molded the person I am today, I must take the appropriate steps to be the professional I want to be, and this internship experience has helped me learn how to do this.

My specific internship is great but the extra things Dwellworks offers along with the people are what really add value. These are a few of many reasons I would recommend this internship to a classmate in the future. 

Nick Ferrara

Research Intern

Why I would Recommend Dwellworks to others…

I think my main reason to recommend Dwellworks is because of the unique culture that they have. For most interns, even if you work in a small company, you are still just an extra pair of hands. Most tasks are basic and you don’t really get too involved in the more complex processes of the company. At Dwellworks, they have really taken their time to incorporate the interns they hire and offer us a real chance to gain an understanding of what working a typical 9-5 job is like. You learn the ups and downs of a business, have a real investment in your work, and learn to cope with problems. I have been really lucky in my work experience and after working for a company that I loved; I was thrilled to find that Dwellworks was exactly what I hoped for. You get to learn and understand the business, but you also get to know the people. The people are what make Dwellworks. The interaction with coworkers, other interns, and managers gives the internship flavor as well providing us with a lot more to learn. The experience can be eyeopening, but it is balanced well and I think will make transitioning into the work force easier as I start looking for job and enter my last semester of college. 

Week 10: Describe a project you’ve been working on that’s helping your department: Condensation

                Because our legal department is also our compliance department, and because our legal department is two attorneys, a paralegal, and a temporary intern, there’s far too much work to go around.  I never get to devote a lot of time to any one thing for too long before something new pops up- and I’m not even a full-fledged attorney yet. 

           

     But if there is one thing that I’ve spent the most time on this summer, it is Dwellworks efforts to implement legally compliant, cutting edge, contract-satisfying, and ultimately, effective and efficient data privacy and security policies.

          

      We hear the stories all of the time, almost weekly it seems: another new virus comes out, someone leaks sensitive files, the government is “spying on us,” Target (etc.) got hacked.  It’s an endless cycle, protecting sensitive information from those who seek to profit off it.  It’s easy to fall into feeling like it’s a battle we’re just gradually losing.  And the United States is woefully behind the times when it comes to protective laws. 

             

   In that chaotic environment though, Dwellworks (and everyone else) still needs to do business, and business is increasingly digital.  So I’ve been researching laws and best practices, trying to find out what other people are doing and recommending.  In the end, it’s all distilling down into policies and procedures we’ll roll out at some point (likely a fair bit past when my time here is up).  But it’s not as simple as copying other companies, even companies in our own industry.  The state of technology changes daily.  New technologies emerge, and any threat at all perceived is automatically real enough to warrant protection against.  What everyone else has done in the past is already at least a little outdated.  We have to find out what works best for Dwellworks now, and do that.

              

  So it’s tricky.  We’re working on it.  Cloud computing alone is going to vastly change how everyone does everything as more and more people adopt it exclusively.  My role has been to find out as much as possible and come up with steps to suggest we take.  We need to make comprehensive data security an integral part of how Dwellworks does business.    We’re on our way, and I’m glad, this summer, I could help get us pointed in the right direction.

-Zack