BigTime is dedicated to making sure our customers have the best product possible, and without our team that would not be possible.
We’re excited to highlight two employees this month who started out in temporary roles (internship and co-op) to show what a great stepping stone an internship with BigTime can be! The first employee being spotlighted is Liam Hutchinson, who started as a finance intern in the summer of 2022 and is now a full-time revenue operations specialist. The second employee is Ani Singh, who came to BigTime in a 6-month long co-op role and is now a member of our software engineering team.
Keep on reading to learn more about these two BigTimers and how their time interning led to full-time roles.
What sparked your interest in an internship/co-op role with BigTime?
LH: My interest in an internship with BigTime was sparked by a combination of things — primarily the exciting career opportunities and the incredible team I was going to work with on a day-to-day basis.
AS: The co-op program is an experiential learning program where students alternate between courses and full-time work throughout their degree. It enables students to acquire practical industry experience in their field of study, providing opportunities to establish professional connections and explore different career paths.
When pursuing a co-op position, I didn’t want to only fix bugs and shadow others. BigTime was looking for someone who wanted to own projects and had the drive to learn and grow, which aligned with my goals.
Can you tell us about your experience as an intern/ co-op at BigTime?
LH: During my internship, I was able to learn more about working in the tech industry, and get adjusted to what life as a young professional looks like. More specifically, as an intern on the finance team, I was able to sharpen my analytical skills with applications like Excel. I also got first-hand experience in how companies utilize Salesforce to run day-to-day operations more efficiently.
AS: During my co-op, I worked across various domains of the software, including invoicing and expense management. As a front-end engineer, I made significant improvements to the user interface, making it more intuitive and user-friendly. Part of my role involved collaborating heavily with product and UX teams, which gave me insight into how to elevate user experiences from adequate to exceptional.
Have you had any other internships/co-op roles? If so, how do they compare to BigTime?
AS: Yes, I did an internship with an economic development agency where I was the sole engineer, tasked with building a web application. It was a challenging yet rewarding experience where I gained valuable technical skills. However, as the sole engineer, I had limited exposure to collaborative team dynamics and opportunities to refine my communication skills.
My co-op here at BigTime gave me the chance to work with a diverse team, collaborate on projects, and enhance my teamwork abilities. By the end of my co-op, I had pushed out several new features and enhancements to our clients, which was very satisfying.
What fueled your decision to work for BigTime as a full-time employee?
LH: During my internship, I found that the people here have created a collaborative and positive atmosphere. The environment at BigTime encouraged growth and productivity, and the positive energy within BigTime’s team was something I was excited to rejoin after graduating.
AS: I was mainly drawn by the people and the exciting project opportunities. The team’s readiness to lend a hand whenever needed, coupled with the growth potential in both technical and interpersonal skills were key factors in my decision.
What does your role entail?
LH: My day-to-day at BigTime involves helping to maintain data integrity, resolving incoming cases in Salesforce, and also monitoring contract details to ensure there is no variance between the different software we use. I also update our finance team’s scorecard for our weekly meeting, which helps to track progress on key metrics for teams across BigTime.
AS: As part of the financial management team, some of my work is tailored to improving our invoicing and payment modules. That includes revamping our invoicing workflow, implementing a frictionless checkout experience for our customer’s clients, and looking for ways to modernize the overall web experience in BigTime. Additionally, I am working heavily with the UX team to update several of our pages using a new design system.
Which accomplishments are you most proud of?
LH: I’m most proud of learning how to leverage Salesforce to build out reports and dashboards that help me generate cyclical reports for BigTime.
AS: One of my most fulfilling accomplishments since transitioning to a full-time role was the chance to serve as a mentor for incoming co-op students. It was a rewarding experience to play a part in their development and see the impact they made within and beyond the team.
What is your best advice for someone just starting out their career?
LH: When choosing a company to work for, you should look to join an atmosphere where your ideas and work are valued, and where there is ample opportunity for career growth.
AS: Be vocal. Don’t hesitate to express your opinions and ideas. Vocalizing your thoughts can help establish your presence and make meaningful connections. I’d say my voice has been one of the most powerful tools in shaping my career so far.
What is something unique about BigTime that sets it apart from other companies?
LH: BigTime promotes a lot of events with clubs and groups that help you get to know your coworkers better. While they add a lot of fun, it also shows the company’s commitment to fostering a sense of community and a supportive work environment.
AS: At BigTime, there is a strong commitment to upholding core values. I’m confident in my colleagues’ level of accountability, their dedication to mutual support, and their collective efforts to ensure our customers’ satisfaction.
Can you tell me a little bit about your life outside of the office?
LH: I swam from age six until graduating from college, where I qualified for and competed in the US Olympic trials. Now, in my free time, I like to play in local tennis leagues, pick-up basketball, or golf. At home, I like to watch movies, learn new languages on Duolingo, and work on expanding my culinary abilities.
AS: I recently moved back to Seattle, and I’ve been looking forward to hitting the trails more often with friends. I also enjoy watching movies, my favorite being The Dark Knight. And recently, I’ve taken up baking as a new hobby. I just made chocolate chip banana bread which turned out pretty good!
Ani and Liam’s great performance and positive attitudes during their internship/co-op roles lead to their full-time careers here at BigTime. We are currently looking for summer interns and are looking forward to receiving applications from ambitious young talents!
An internship at BigTime is a great learning opportunity and a chance to get real hands-on experience and mentorship opportunities from industry experts. BigTime interns have the opportunity to experience working in a dynamic environment where they can develop and refine their skills outside of the classroom.
If you are looking for an internship opportunity in Chicago, Boston, or Phoenix please reach out to one of our talent acquisition specialists, Alex Gocken (AGocken@bigtime.net) or Michael Hanson (MHanson@bigtime.net).
Looking for a full-time position? Check out our open roles!
