The interns have landed! Transact’s new Diversity Internship Program brings early career talent, support to departments
| June 15, 2023
Seven new team members recently joined the Transact family, thanks to Transact’s first-ever Diversity Internship Program. More than 70 students from four participating universities applied to the competitive program, of which just seven were chosen.
The students, representing Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University (both in Phoenix, Arizona); Chowan University in Murfreesboro, North Carolina; and Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland, are all eager to make their mark at
Transact.
“I look forward to both participating in and running successful marketing campaigns and using what I learn in my future professional endeavors,” said Benjamin (Ben) Bustamante, a junior at Grand Canyon University. Ben has already begun this
mission and attended several key marketing team meetings as its newest team member.
“This pilot program contributes to Transact’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy to build a foundation of programs to foster diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Through our Diversity Internship Program, we are empowering
the future by closing the opportunity divide and impacting the college student’s experience,” said Mechelle King, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at Transact.
“The program will provide Transact with a source for diverse candidates—with emphasis on students from underrepresented workforce segments,” said Dr. Carmelitia Coleman, Director of Inclusion, Diversity, and Engagement at Transact.
This is the first year for a formal structured internship program at Transact, with the hope of validating the proof of concept and expanding it to more universities in the near future.
Department managers participating in the program are excited to be working with these talented students, who will be at Transact through August.
“As we are a student-centric organization, the teams are delighted about the new insights around technological advancements the interns can bring to the table,” Coleman said.
“We look forward to showing the importance of the program. The Diversity Internship Program is essential for cultivating a positive culture, driving innovation, fostering inclusivity, and developing a talent pipeline that reflects the diversity
of society. This program will benefit the interns, but also Transact as a whole, by creating a dynamic and successful workplace,” said Nancy Langer, CEO at Transact.
Meet the interns!
Transact is excited and proud to introduce our seven newest team members. We’re sure this will be a mutually rewarding experience—they will learn much from us, and we from them. Here they are:
Year and College: Junior, Grand Canyon University
Major: Business Information Systems
Transact Department: Campus ID Management
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Music: Christian Hip-Hop
Hobbies: Making music, playing basketball
Favorite Quote: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21)
Hidden talent: Francis, aka SwagKingSr, enjoys making music and instrumentals
First take on Transact: “Transact is full of knowledgeable and responsible individuals who know their roles and execute them well,” he said.
Francis, who lives in Elk Grove, California, applied to the program because he was “looking to gain experience and the opportunity to appear in GCU’s Career Connections Employer Guide.” He’s looking forward to becoming aware of
great communication, collaboration, and management within a project team.”
Year and College: Senior, Grand Canyon University
Major: Business Analytics
Transact Department: Campus ID Management
Favorite Food: Steak
Favorite Music: “I like to mix it up.”
Hobbies: Hiking, rafting, spending time with loved ones, attending events, traveling, and trying to get better at golf and fishing.
Favorite Quote: “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” – Marcus Aurelius
Hidden talent: Jay played competitive baseball most of his life, including at the college level on a scholarship. He’s also completed most of the 13,000- and 14,000-feet elevation hikes near his home and is an ambidextrous golfer.
First take on Transact: “I’ve found a supportive and welcoming community. The people here are friendly and always ready to lend a hand. The company’s culture encourages collaboration and making a positive impact through data-driven solutions.”
Jay, who lives in Farmington, New Mexico, applied to the program because “there were a lot of factors that made it a good fit. I was impressed by Transact’s expertise and passion for their work. Also, having used Mobile Ordering at GCU, I developed a genuine interest in the company and its mission. The chance to work with the Data Analytics & Reporting team excited me.” He hopes to secure a full-time data analytics role someday. While at Transact, his goal is to “learn and contribute. I’ll be involved in real-world projects, learning from experienced professionals, and helping to leverage data for meaningful outcomes. I look forward to growing personally and professionally, enhancing my skills and knowledge, while making a valuable impact on the team and organization.”
Year and College: Junior, Grand Canyon University
Major: Marketing & Advertising; Minor: Psychology
Transact Department: Marketing
Favorite Food: Popcorn
Favorite Music: Modern Rock (e.g., Backseat Lovers Band)
Hobbies: “Going out with my girlfriend or playing tons of video games with good friends.”
Favorite Quote: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Hidden talent: Ben plays for an eSports team for GCU which has earned him a scholarship—he’s very passionate about it. He also dabbles in writing (short poetry and fantasy novels).
First take on Transact: “The genuine nature of Transact Campus has surpassed all my expectations. Everyone is so helpful and truly seems as if they are here to help me grow my professional career.”
Ben, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona, applied to the program because “the digital tech industry has always had a certain pull for me, and Transact was a company I used, unbeknownst, so it piqued my interest.” His career goal is to be “a marketing manager dealing with digital or global marketing campaigns.”
Year and College: Senior, Arizona State University
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Transact Department: Global Services
Favorite Food: “My mom’s cooking. Nothing beats her comforting and delicious meals.”
Favorite Music: R&B
Hobbies: “Reading a good book or binge-watching TVs shows; spending quality time with family and friends and having great conversations.”
Favorite Quote: “The world doesn’t give things, you take things.” – Taylor Jenkins Reid
Hidden talent: Raneim placed 4th in high jump skills in track in field in the state of California.
First take on Transact: “It’s been incredibly positive here. The people I’ve interacted with are friendly and helpful, creating a supporting work environment. Everyone is passionate about their work, and their enthusiasm is contagious, making me even more excited about my role at the company.”
Raneim, who lives in Los Angeles, California, applied to the program because “the opportunity to work at Transact, a company known for its innovative solutions in the transaction industry, greatly attracted me.” While here, Raneim is eager to “collaborate with the talented team to craft compelling content that not only showcases the value of Transact’s products and services, but also educates and engages a broader audience.” Upon graduation, Raneim hopes to land a full-time engineering position where she can apply the knowledge and skills she’s gained through her academic and professional journey.
Year and College: Senior, Chowan University
Major: Business Administration with a concentration in Information Systems
Minor: Accounting
Transact Department: Campus ID Management
Favorite Food: “I’m not selective when it comes to food; I’m open to anything.”
Favorite Music: NF
Hobbies: “I enjoy entrepreneurship and playing sports outside of school.”
Favorite Quote: “Don’t compromise your convictions because of your convenience.” – Unknown
Hidden talent: Hesley describes himself as a “decent tennis and soccer player.”
First take on Transact: “I love the atmosphere at Transact. People are welcoming, and I can get all the help I need, not just from my supervisor, but also from everyone else.”
Hesley, a native of Zimbabwe, is an international student athlete. He saw this program as “an opportunity to grow professionally and expose myself to resolving real-life problems.” He’s looking forward to “networking, helping the company by applying his skills, and learning as much as he can about his role and other aspects of the business.” Someday, he hopes to obtain a job as a Product Manager “because I love problem solving, launching products and solutions, and customer interaction.”
Year and College: Senior, Coppin State University
Major: Marketing
Transact Department: Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Favorite Food: “Seafood. Being a Baltimore native, it’s just part of who I am.”
Favorite Music: Beyonce
Hobbies: “Spending time with family and friends. My social circle really helps me unwind.”
Favorite Quote: “Remember to give yourself grace.” – Unknown
Hidden talent: “I do my own nails. I started making press-on nails the past few years to share my art and passion with others.”
First take on Transact: “Everyone has been so open and kind. I feel like I can reach out to anyone for help or advice, and they would be more than willing to give it.”
Aubriana, who lives in Baltimore, Maryland, applied to the program when there was a career fair at her school. “I was on my way out when, by chance, I crossed paths with Ms. Carmelitia (Coleman) and Ms. Mechelle (King). Something about their energy drew me in, so I applied and began doing more research on Transact and the DEI space as a whole. Aubriana is open to gaining more experience in the DEI space, a new area she didn’t originally see herself pursuing. Additionally, her internship experience will include a rotation in the Compliance department for exposure to the governance aspect related to training and company policies. “I’m open to soaking up everything I can. I hope to get professional experience I can take with me wherever my career leads me, something that combines business with creativity.”
Year and College: Senior, Grand Canyon University
Major: Marketing and Advertising; Minor: Psychology
Transact Department: Marketing
Favorite Food: Colombian and Italian
Favorite Music: “Salsa is one of my favorite genres. Some of my favorite salsa artists are Ruben Blades, Joe Arroyo, and Celia Cruz. I love their meaningful lyrics, which is missing in many modern songs.”
Hobbies: “Watching movies, reading good books, spending time with friends, playing the guitar on a rainy day, and just dancing and singing for fun.”
Favorite Quote: “Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.” – Roy T. Bennett
Hidden talent: “Despite having a poor memory, I can remember and sing almost any song that plays on the radio, particularly those in Spanish. However, I’m catching up with English songs.”
First take on Transact: “Transact has exceeded my expectations. From the very beginning, it has felt like a tight knit family. Everyone has been welcoming and kind. The company emphasizes employee training and recognizes the importance of our roles in supporting millions of students across the Unites States.”
Valentina says she has three homes. “I was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, where I lived for 20 years and where my family lives. Currently, I spend most of my time in Phoenix, Arizona at GCU, and during the summer, I stay in Yellow Jacket, Colorado.” Valentina applied for the internship to “gain practical experience and used what I’ve learned in class to be a valuable contributor to the company. I was seeking a challenge that would both scare and excite me, and most importantly, I wanted to learn from the talented individuals I have the privilege of working with.” She’s looking forward to “gaining insight into the day-to-day operations of a company. I’m eager to learn from various marketing areas, and I want to establish good relationships with my coworkers and learn from their expertise.” After graduation, Valentina hopes to “contribute to innovative campaigns and brand development. Ideally, I’d love to work for a company that offers remote work options, as it would allow me to visit my family more frequently.”
Stay tuned for future breaking intern news!
As they become acclimated to their new assignments and dive into projects at Transact, we’ll hear from some of our interns in our special “Intern Blog Series” in the coming weeks so we can follow their progress and get their take on how things are going. Stay tuned!
