Analytics Intern
Ohio Wesleyan Student Integrates Data, Research, and Coding into Career-Shaping Experience
Name: Luke Johnson '27
Hometown: Amelia, Ohio
High School: West Clermont High School
Major: Data Analytics and Quantitative Economics
Minors: Entrepreneurship and Computer Science
OWU Connection Experience: Johnson worked as a sales analytics intern for Columbus-based Vertiv, a global leader in critical digital infrastructure for applications in data centers, communication networks, and commercial and industrial environments.
Johnson's three-month internship "focused on the scope of demand planning," which included "time series forecasting … reporting insights and debugging system code."
Why This Experience?
"In today's world, getting a degree isn't always enough, and I understand how important it is to get industry experience, so getting a summer internship was my top priority going into my sophomore year. This opportunity helped me get an understanding of what goes on in industry versus what we learn in the classroom, and what areas of study I should spend extra time in."
Favorite Moment
"My favorite moment of the experience was presenting during the intern showcase at the end of summer. Sometimes it can feel like you aren't contributing much as an intern, but once I compiled all my work together and showed it off to other interns and coworkers, I realized all my work was for something, albeit small."
All it takes is a couple hundred lines of code and a dataset, and you can figure out any question you have.
Lessons Learned
"The majority of my time was spent with different machine learning models with different kinds of data. And I realized the power they hold in the ability to answer questions. As long as you have the numbers, you can use them in all sorts of different ways to get a better understanding of your product/service.
"I have taken this knowledge to this fall semester, where I am spending a lot of time with MLB (Major League Baseball) player data, trying to answer questions that I have always had. All it takes is a couple hundred lines of code and a dataset, and you can figure out any question you have.
"This experience helped me shape my future plans and point me into the realm of machine learning and statistics, where I see myself working after graduation."
OWU Assistance
Johnson is part of the University's National Science Foundation-supported Integrated Research and Industry Internship Program (IRIIP), which helped him to secure his Vertiv internship. The IRIIP program also provides pre-professional training and requires a semester of faculty-mentored research. Johnson is working on his MLB project this fall with Mathematics & Computer Science Professor Scott Linder, Ph.D., and will present his research at OWU's Spring Symposium.
Johnson also was assisted in getting his internship by Ohio Wesleyan graduate Patricia Ryan, Class of 2016, Vertiv's university relations recruiter.
Campus Involvements
Johnson is a member of the Battling Bishop baseball team, Ohio Wesleyan Athletic Council (OWAC), and Computer Science Club. He also has worked as an Advancement Operations intern and as a Resident Assistant.
Why Ohio Wesleyan?
"I chose Ohio Wesleyan because of the many opportunities it offered, from programs like the IRIIP to the ease of studying abroad to student assistantships where I can help the University and get experience."
Plans After Graduation
"I plan to either attend grad school or try to find work in the sports analytics field. OWU is helping prepare me for that by continually giving me new experiences that broaden my view and open me up to new possibilities."