NDDCEL engages MBA and undergraduate students through a colloquium course and invites top undergraduates to join the team as research assistants.
We invited our NDDCEL students to share their recent experiences in the classroom, workplace, and around the world—and what they’re learning about ethical leadership along the way.
Bode
After a semester abroad in Rome, Bode spent part of his summer as summer analyst through a leadership development program at a top banking institution in Columbus, Ohio.
Maria Emilia
Maria Emilia spent the summer working at a leading consumer foods company, where she experienced corporate life firsthand. She learned the importance of work-life balance, transparency and relationships with coworkers.
Jennifer
Jenny worked in Chicago, exploring the intersection of business, law and technology. She also traveled to Italy with family.
Your work with NDDCEL involves studying examples of ethical leaders. What contributed to your own growth this summer?
Bode: “I went on my first solo trip for a week in the Balkans, and it was the first time I was forced to sit with my own thoughts for a long period of time and make all of my own decisions.”
Maria Emilia: "I learned the importance of having hobbies! Working a 9-5 can often leave you drained, so I learned how much the little things outside of work matter as you reflect on your week.”
Jennifer: “I am most proud of developing an internal AI chatbot for my team at my internship. I took ownership of the project that pushed me to learn new skills and create something that will continue to be useful after my internship!”
What else did you learn this summer?
“My job reinforced the importance of understanding how my work benefits the lives of the end user. Every time I made a decision, I found myself asking who it was helping and how, and being cognizant of my actions is the first step in actually growing the good in business.”
Bode, NDDCEL research assistant
"This summer, I watched my coworkers prioritize transparency with consumers and put themselves in the shoes of the everyday shopper. I certainly hope to take that lesson and implement it when I return to the office.”
Maria Emilia, NDDCEL research assistant
"I learned the significance of being proactive and seeking out opportunities to learn, even when they fall outside of your immediate responsibilities or comfort zone. Taking initiative often led to some of the most meaningful experiences I had this summer.”
Jennifer, NDDCEL research assistant
How will you carry your summer internship experience forward?
Bode:
"I spent a lot of time learning how to responsibly utilize AI tools to streamline business processes. It has been helpful using these tools as I start in the workplace since they will be present for the rest of my career.”
Maria Emilia:
"I found myself bettering my time management and learning how important it is to prioritize what needs to be done first.”
Jennifer:
"After co-writing a case last year exploring the impact of AI data centers, I am excited to bring what I learned working more directly with AI this summer into my research with NDDCEL. I hope that hands-on perspective will help me think about emerging technologies and their broader impacts in new ways.”
Lightning Round:
Summer in one word?
Balanced (Bode); New (Maria Emilia); Curious (Jennifer)
Most excited about this fall?
Gamedays (Bode); Football (Maria Emilia); Memories (Jennifer)
This summer taught me....
"That the corporate world isn’t scary like I once thought." (Bode)
"The importance of trying new things." (Maria Emilia
"That a little grit can go a long way." (Jennifer)