Our thirteenth summer of the DOORS Internship Program is underway! Through virtual workshops, our interns work on goal setting, networking, personal branding, and communication within their fields. We invited our interns to share their experiences this summer.
Meet Oliver Straw! Oliver was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, but moved overseas, living in several countries before settling in Melbourne, Australia, where he spent the majority of his childhood and high school years. Oliver recently graduated from West Virginia University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and, most recently, his MBA.
What does your internship with Leggett entail?
As a Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) intern at Leggett, my role extends beyond traditional forecasting and analysis. I work closely with the Precision Hydraulic Cylinders (PHC) team, gaining deeper insight into our accounts, customers, suppliers, and overall financial performance. I support the team wherever needed and look forward to taking on increasing responsibility throughout the internship.
What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned so far during your time at Leggett?
One of the most impactful lessons I’ve learned so far is the importance of clear communication and team alignment. In a large organization with many moving parts, observing how senior leaders communicate has shown me how critical it is to be clear, direct, and inclusive in business conversations. I look forward to continuing to learn throughout my internship.
What are your goals through your internship?
The DOORS program offers a wide range of valuable opportunities. My primary goal is to absorb as much knowledge as possible from those around me while building meaningful, long-lasting relationships with colleagues and fellow interns. I also aim to consistently add value to my team by being a reliable and dependable contributor.
What has been your favorite part of your internship at Leggett?
Having the chance to meet and interact with a variety of people is what makes this experience so special. With so many different backgrounds, career paths, and experiences, I feel that networking and building those relationships will be extremely valuable.
How will you apply your experience this summer to your career?
This internship is helping me better understand what I want to achieve in my career and how I want to approach it. The practical skills and insights I gain from working with experienced leaders will help position me to make meaningful contributions to a business and positively impact team performance in the future.
Please join us in wishing Oliver well!