Sydney Wood, Business & Administrative Services Intern.
Hey there! My name is Syd; I am from Fort Worth and am currently a student at Texas Christian University, studying Entrepreneurial Management and Sociology, which might have you wondering how I ended up at Pointwise. I am spending the summer going into my senior year a bit non-traditionally. I have the opportunity and pleasure of spending this summer working with 12 other TCU students, welcoming the incoming class to TCU by directing Frog Camp. This program takes up most of my summer; however, I have two weeks off and I thought what better way to spend it than seeing how I can learn from and mesh with a bunch of engineers. As you can probably guess, my knowledge and understanding of meshing is slim to none, but I think the idea of being able to understand and operate this kind of software is amazing. Thankfully, I have the opportunity to learn from some brilliant people at Pointwise and get a better understanding of what it is they’re so passionate about here.
- Location: Fort Worth, Texas
- Current position: Intern, Business & Administrative Services
- Current computer: Dell Precision laptop
- One word that best describes how you work: Diligently
What software or tools do you use every day?
The most useful tools for me have been Outlook or Spark IM as well as Sharepoint.
What does your workspace look like?
I consider myself a minimalist when it comes to my workspace. I like everything to be neat and organized whether that be the paper and pens around me or the documents on my computer. Everything should have a place, if not, I find one for it. One constant that you’ll find on my desk is my planner. I don’t think I could survive without it!
What are you currently working on?
When I’m not organizing marketing files or downloading and scanning documents at Pointwise, I am dedicating my time to the program I am directing at TCU. Frog Camp is a part of the extended orientation program on campus and is an enjoyable way for incoming students to meet each other, get acclimated to Fort Worth, find adventure, acquire the skills they need to be successful in college, and understand what it means to be a Horned Frog. The program has 13 camps throughout the summer that take place in 3 states and 3 countries. My specific role in Frog Camp is being one of three directors of a camp called Challenge, which is one of our camps located just outside of Waco, Texas. Challenge is most similarly compared to a typical summer camp, which involves outdoor activities, campfires, and s’mores, but also has some additions unique to TCU. Challenge happens twice over the summer, once at the beginning and once at the end. Right now, I am working on finalizing our schedule, gathering the necessary supplies, and making sure our facilitators (mostly current sophomore and junior TCU students) are trained and prepared for the upcoming camp.
What would you say is your specialty at Pointwise?
I’m not sure I have a specialty at Pointwise yet. I am just taking time to learn as much as I can in as many areas as I can so that I gain the most out of my short time here. However, I am a very organized person and enjoy taking on projects that involve structure and order. I have focused on making sure that everything I work on is as organized and as easily accessible as possible for the people who need it. As simple as that is, I guess you might consider that my specialty.
Any tips, tricks, or advice for our users?
Take advantage of the people at Pointwise. Everyone here is extremely willing and capable of helping you in any way they can. What I’ve learned from my short time here has been to not be afraid to ask questions because someone will always take the time to answer them.
What project are you most proud of and why?
I am hoping the project I am most proud of is yet to come, which might sound strange. As I mentioned, most of my summer has been consumed by Frog Camp. I am in the process of planning my second camp for TCU that will take place in August and will be attended by a combination of over 400 incoming students and staff. I am proud of the risk I have taken by being in this position and the growth I have had so far over the summer and know I will continue to have before it is over. Although I am addressing the camp as a whole multiple times, most of my work is heavily behind the scenes and allows me to watch the amazing impact this program has on students, (another reason I enjoy being a part of Frog Camp). No matter how many things may go right or wrong, I know I will be proud of this camp because of the effort I have put in and the impact the camp will have on everyone who attends. This project has taken the most dedication and hard work of anything I have done so far; however, it has also been the most rewarding.
Have you recently read any books or articles we should know about?
Neither of these are engineering related so bear with me and give them a chance.
Two of the most intriguing and inspiring books I have read recently are Life is Not an Accident by Jay Williams and Love Does by Bob Goff. The more unexpected of the two, given to me on a whim, was Life is Not an Accident. This book was written by Williams, a former Chicago Bulls player, and is centered on what to do when life doesn’t go as planned. The book focuses on William’s journey of recovery both physically and mentally, after his devastating motorcycle accident. The other book, Love Does, follows the life of an extraordinary man, Bob Goff, as he creates a business, raises his family, and makes a difference in the world. The book is told in stories, each focusing on a certain individual that influenced him in some way and the lessons he learned.
What do you do when you’re not surrounded by engineers making meshes?
For the most part, I like to listen to music and create playlists to fit any mood or at least the one I’m in at the time. Being from Fort Worth and attending TCU has allowed me to stay close to my family so I spend a good amount of my free time with them. I also like to spend time reading and I am always looking for new suggestions.
What is some of the best advice you’ve received?
“Try something hard. See for yourself. Challenge what you know.”
If you had to pick a place to have dinner, where would you go?
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