extraordinary
EDUCATION
Building a Career at Caterpillar, Inc. Junior Alex Nelson had plenty of his own responsibilities during his internship with Caterpillar, Inc., one of the world’s leading machinery and engine manufacturers. As the lead communication and human resources intern, he also guided 30 other interns at four U.S. CAT Building Construction Products Division facilities through the company’s expansive summer internship experience. Nelson, a communication major with a minor in management, worked on important company policies and projects such as succession planning, diversity and leadership summits. He also coordinated and scheduled events, meetings and logistics for the interns to maintain a positive culture and led bi-weekly intern teleconferences so each intern could offer status updates on their projects. “This internship taught me to operate in a professional, corporate environment,” says Nelson, from Clayton, N.C. “I was told several times that the internship was essentially a three-month interview. I brought 110 percent each day and encouraged other interns to do the same. I could easily see myself working at Caterpillar someday as the experience and exposure I gained were remarkable, and the company has a promising strategy for continued global success.” Nelson says his experiences in and out of the classroom at HPU cultivated his attitudes about the corporate world and shaped his approach to his responsibilities at CAT. “HPU set an incredible example for me,” Nelson says. “I’ve watched and been part of it, and now I’m spreading the notion in the corporate world that everyone can be extraordinary and live a life filled with success and, more importantly, significance.”
Alex Nelson CATERPILLAR INC. Sanford, NC
36 | highpoint.edu
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