Jenna Moorehead ’12 parlays ‘garbage’ internship into job

Jenna Moorehead always thought rubbish might play a role in her future. After all, her grandfather, uncle, and father were involved in the waste industry for over 50 years. But a summer stint as an accounts payable intern with Fortune 500 Company Republic Services, one of the leading solid waste management companies in the country, reinforced her strong interest in business and the waste industry.

While at Republic Services, Jenna created and implemented a purchase card audit program to help the Company measure effectiveness of current controls and determine which ongoing audit processes should be maintained. She also collaborated on the development of an internal Sustainability Library Web Portal to store information about sustainability projects going on within the Company.

“I had a terrific internship experience, received excellent training, and made valuable contacts,” said Jenna of her internship.

After graduating in May 2012 with a business degree from Lake Forest, Jenna returned to the corporate office of Republic Services to begin a three-year management training program as the Company’s 2012 Controller Development Participant.

In addition to the internship, Jenna credits the faculty in the business and economics department for helping her grow. “My professors have been really encouraging with what I wanted to do,” she said. “They’re caring not just in the classroom but outside of the class as well.”

And as for training to be a Controller for the waste management industry? “It is great to be able to apply the knowledge I have gained in college and my internship to use,” said Jenna.

Original source here.