College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

Analyzing data directly from the production line, presenting findings to teammates and supervisors, and attending class in Grise Hall is all in a day’s work for Dhruvinkumar (Dhruv) Patel, who is a Body Systems intern at the General Motors (GM) Corvette Assembly Plant in Bowling Green.

Patel, a junior from India, has been living in Bowling Green for the last six years. After graduating from Greenwood High School in 2018, he became a Hilltopper and is working toward a degree in Business Finance and Business Data Analytics. 

Patel started his internship with GM in July 2019, continuing to work throughout his sophomore year and this summer. He learned about this opportunity from Dr. Jean Snavely, an instructor in the WKU Department of Finance. Patel was interested in pursuing this opportunity because of the ability to take his knowledge from the classroom into a real life situation.

“My main reason behind taking part in this internship was to gain experience of what it is like to work for an auto manufacturing company and apply the applicable knowledge while attending classes and studying,” Patel said.

Over the past year, Patel has been able to accomplish that and take a hands-on role in his work. He gathers data directly from the production line for analysis. Then, he synthesizes his findings into charts. Finally, he presents those results to supervisors and the business manager. In addition, he assists with other projects assigned by his supervisor.

“This position helps me to apply and develop my analytical skills and has given me some exposure to the role of the finance department in auto-manufacturing companies,” Patel said.

Patel also credits this internship with developing skills that are relevant for any field.  

“I have learned a great deal about prioritizing tasks and working independently. Until I started my internship, I did not have so much exposure to independent working, but I learned to explore different options to get work done before asking someone for help,” he said.

Looking back on his internship, Patel is happy with what he’s learned through the experience. 

“I am really proud of having the opportunity of managing/analyzing large amounts of data and presenting them in meetings, being able to communicate with the department and the business manager,” he said.

At WKU, Patel is the president of the Financial Management Association, Finance Minister of the Indian Student Association, and a member of the Gordon Ford College of Business Student Advisory Council. While he is exploring options for a future career, he is focused on building a foundation that will benefit him in any data-oriented position. 

For more information about a major in Business Finance at WKU, visit: https://www.wku.edu/finance/bachelor-of-science-in-business-finance.php

For more information about a major in Business Data Analytics at WKU, visit: https://www.wku.edu/bdan/