Maggie Meinel, '26

The Global Services Consolidations team forecasts budgeting for headcount and expenses across the Global services organization. We continuously monitor these forecasts for insights and compare these to actuals by providing commentary to explain why expenses were above or below what was expected. As a member of this team, I assist my fellow team members in ensuring we are exporting accurate totals across each function, as well as providing any ad-hoc support to my team. I also work on submitting and presenting my own commentary to our business partners for a sub-function in GS. In addition, I have forecasted calendar dates based on historical trends from previous quarters for our business partners to use to guide their processes. I spend a lot of my time working on a few independent Excel-driven projects that hold data visuals that will help guide future budget-making decisions.

A day as a co-op on the Global Services consolidations team consists of pulling exports of data from our internal platforms to gather headcount and expense totals for each function. These exports are based on the selected forecast cycle and actuals. There are times when totals are not aligning accurately, which often leads to independent problem-solving. Building pivot tables to analyze and drill down on the data can help uncover missing information in your data pulls. I also dedicate time in the day to building a dynamic and interactive Excel dashboard with embedded formulas that will help give guidance in future budget-making processes. It will have an easy-to-use nature so that it can be implemented and updated continuously in the future. I also perform multiple monthly and quarterly reports that help consolidate data into one file. I also make it a priority to network across J&J by scheduling 1:1s on a constant basis to learn about other roles and experiences within the company.

I landed my co-op through the Co-op program at Saint Joseph's. There is so much opportunity to take advantage of with a full semester's worth of summer classes available and staff like Todd Krug who offer support through the interview and job-search process. When it came to preparing for my interview, I connected with Saint Joe's alumni who are current employees at J&J, as well as my fellow students who held previous co-ops at the company, to hear more about their experience. Throughout the interview itself, my goal was to prove that I am a worthy candidate for the position. I wanted to showcase that I am not only a focused worker who can execute tasks, but also a person whom others will enjoy working alongside. Making my career goals clear also showed that I put thought into a vision for myself, and I am committed to success. Taking the time to research J&J to understand its purpose and history was also important to exhibit my preparation, curiosity, and commitment to the role.

Some skills I use on a daily basis within this role include high attention to detail and problem-solving skills when ensuring data exports tie out to the accurate totals. It is also critical to have a proactive mindset that allows you to meet your deliverables in a timely manner. Taking the initiative to be prepared for any ad-hoc requests is also commendable. Technical and networking skills are definitely where I have grown the most within this role. At Johnson & Johnson, it is important to connect with fellow employees in other organizations to broaden your understanding of different roles at J&J and to foster a connected work environment. Advancing your technical skills allows you to solve problems effectively and more creatively. The more I understand these tools, the more I can contribute to my team's outputs.

My SJU education prepared me for this opportunity by giving me the chance to participate in the co-op program. Completing a semester's worth of classes for two consecutive summers was no easy task, but with the support from my professors and a clear understanding of my goals led to success. Always being prepared before showing up and prioritizing time effectively are two key skills I have learned throughout my SJU education. Showing up to class having already reviewed the material creates an extreme difference in one's ability to comprehend new information. At J&J, opportunities will always come, but it is critical to be prepared so you can execute successfully. Planning your daily and weekly schedule and having a to-do list of your priorities are simple ways to hold yourself accountable and meet your deadlines.

I would recommend that those who are searching for internships and jobs attend career fairs and talk to as many alumni as they can. Even the smallest forms of networking could create a personal connection that makes a huge difference in your career. This is why it is critical to be courteous to everyone you meet. It is also helpful to look back on all of your work experiences and note specific scenarios where you showcased a valuable skill so that you can easily pull from these moments in your interview. It is important to be an expert in all of your accomplishments to be able to explain them clearly when it comes time for your interview.