Lucas - An Internship at Evonik in Brazil

My Internship Journey at Evonik: Bridging Academia and Industry

Hello! I'm Lucas, a Chemical Engineering bachelor's student, currently completing my Market Intelligence internship at Evonik High Performance Polymers. This experience has been an incredible opportunity to deepen my connection with my degree. Evonik's vast portfolio has allowed me to witness firsthand the practical applications of concepts I studied in university, such as polymers, fluidized beds, and especially biogas upgrading, which was the focus of my undergraduate thesis.

From Food Industry to Chemical Engineering.

Before joining Evonik, I had my first professional experience interning in the food industry. While it was valuable, I was eager to align my career more closely with my Chemical Engineering background, a goal I have thrillingly achieved at Evonik. Here, I am engaged in projects that deeply resonate with my field, particularly focusing on biogas membranes market development and boosting awareness of SEPURAN Green. This work not only ties into my undergraduate thesis but also reflects my long-standing fascination with converting 'trash' into energy—a concept that captivated me since high school. Working on this topic during my internship and concluding my degree with a thesis in this area has been incredibly rewarding.

My Role in Market Intelligence

During my internship in Market Intelligence, my primary responsibility was to monitor market trends and competitor activities, transforming these observations into actionable business insights. This involved gathering data from various sources and developing comprehensive market studies. As a result, leads were identified and converted into new customers, supporting business growth target in the region. It is fulfilling to see how your work can positively impact the company.

One of the challenges I faced was identifying the best data sources and integrating them into a cohesive database. This required introducing new datasets and implementing automation to ensure efficient and consistent data processing.

At Evonik, which operates across multiple markets, leveraging synergies is vital and impactful. I had the opportunity to collaborate with other Business Lines, enhancing our market entry strategies. My managers also encouraged participation in trade shows and external work groups, which provided valuable insights and leads for the Sales Team.

Advice for Future Interns: My Top 3 Tips

Proactivity: Show interest and engage with people. Look for areas of improvement and think of new ways to do things. Many wonderful opportunities arise from simple conversations. Share your work with peers and seek synergies. This approach can open doors you never imagined.

Organization: Keep track of your activities to avoid loose ends. In dynamic areas like Sales & Marketing, you'll manage multiple tasks, such as data analysis, customer prospecting and preparing presentations and reports.

Communication: This is the foundation of everything. Learn to communicate effectively with everyone. Practice your speeches, refine your message, and seek feedback to improve.

Conclusion

My internship at Evonik has been a transformative experience, reinforcing my passion for Chemical Engineering and providing a solid foundation for my future career. The skills and experiences I've gained here will undoubtedly guide me as I apply my knowledge to future challenges and opportunities.

All the best,  

Lucas

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On the students@Evonik blog, students, who work at Evonik, share their experiences about life and work in the company.