Turning Insight into Action

READING — MaryKate Sitko headed into her senior year at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with more than an internship on her resume. After a summer at East Penn Manufacturing, she had experience turning purchasing data into a practical business tool and a clearer sense of where her skills could take her professionally.

As a procurement intern at the company’s headquarters in Lyons, Pennsylvania, Sitko developed a Procurement Key Metric Dashboard in Power BI. The project brought together multiple purchasing data sources, giving buyers and managers a daily tool to track activity, identify trends, and spot opportunities for improvement.

For Sitko, a dual major in supply chain management and IT and analytics, the assignment connected her two fields of study while building technical skills she could carry into a full-time position.

“The dashboard highlighted trends, buyer activity, and improvement areas for process misalignment that were previously unknown,” Sitko said. “My other responsibilities included assisting buyers in the purchasing process and working with the supplier development team when needed.”

The work gave her an opportunity to move beyond classroom exercises and apply her knowledge to the needs of a business. East Penn, a private, family-owned manufacturer founded in 1946, produces lead-acid batteries, battery accessories, and wire and cable products.

Sitko credits the Zeigler College of Business with giving her a foundation for that transition. She arrived ready to draw on what she had learned, while recognizing how much she still had to discover.

“Entering a new company with no real-world experience was difficult, but my professors did a great job introducing concepts and industry practices to me during class that then translated to the job,” Sitko said. “It was very cool to connect in-class concepts to the workplace and get a better idea of how it all ties together.”

She singled out Analytics (ITAN 325) and Supply Chain Operations (MGMT 371) as especially relevant to her internship. Developing the dashboard allowed her to build on that coursework while gaining hands-on experience with Power BI.

“I’m grateful to have been given a project that connected both of my areas of study,” Sitko said. “ … as well as Power BI experience because it developed my hard skills for when it comes time to search for a full-time position.”

The internship also helped her look beyond a single role. By shadowing employees in different departments, she explored the range of opportunities within supply chain management and began identifying positions that matched her strengths and interests. Just as important, she learned to approach unfamiliar work with curiosity and an open mind.

“Especially since I was an intern, it was valuable for me to meet new people, learn from others, and keep an open mind,” Sitko said.

That emphasis on connection extended beyond the workplace. During an intern community service event, Sitko and her fellow interns teamed up with VoiceUp Berks to paint a mural with campers at the Olivet Boys and Girls Club.

“It was very rewarding and inspiring, and connected multiple generations for a great experience!” Sitko said.

As she prepares to enter the workforce, Sitko carries forward both a concrete example of her technical abilities and a better understanding of her career options. The internship helped her connect what she can do with the work she wants to pursue.

“Supply chain is a broad field,” Sitko said. “I’m thankful to have been given the opportunity to shadow various departments to get an idea of what jobs are out there.”