Page 4 - The MIL Connection: Summer 2024

From Intern to Analyst: Joyce Mercedes Tavares’ Journey at MIL

For National Intern Day, we are excited to spotlight Joyce Mercedes Tavares. Her inspiring journey
from business and marketing intern to a full-time analyst specializing in business management
within the MIL Financial Services Sector showcases the incredible growth and opportunities
our internship program offers. Joyce joined us with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Information
Technology from Virginia Tech and a passion for problem-solving. Over the past four years, she
has contributed to numerous projects in business and financial management, making a significant
impact with her comprehensive analysis and support for clients.
In this interview, Joyce shares her experiences and insights from her time as an intern at MIL,
reflecting on the mentorship, projects, and skills that paved the way for her successful transition to a
full-time role. Her story is a testament to the value of determination, continuous learning, and seizing opportunities. Join us as
we celebrate Joyce and the bright future she represents for all our interns!

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what you Can you describe some of the projects you contributed
studied in school? to during your internship?
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Business Information In the beginning of my internship, I created a variety of
Technology from Virginia Tech where I developed a strong internal marketing materials ranging from presentation decks
foundation in decision support systems to provide analysis, to graphics for proposals and documents. My responsibilities
conclusions, and solutions. I have been a full-time employee soon expanded throughout the internship, and I contributed
at MIL for about four years now and throughout this time by writing and reviewing task documents, RFPs, RFIs, and
have worked on multiple projects pertaining to MIL/client IDIQs, as well as supporting the marketing manager and
business and financial management. In my experience as an executive team in assembling labor category descriptions and
analyst, I have really enjoyed the problem-solving aspect of key personnel qualifications for proposals.
my job in addition to supporting client decisions with valuable How did your internship prepare you for your current
information and comprehensive analysis. full-time role at MIL?
How did you come to join the MIL Corporation initially I oftentimes still reflect on my internship experience — the
as an intern? individuals I met, guidance I received, and knowledge/

While I was looking for internships online, I came across experience I gathered really impacted my career in a positive
MIL’s Business and Marketing internship position and was manner. During my internship, I gained hands-on experience
immediately interested after researching the company values in proposal writing and encountered valuable learning
and services. Although it was not exactly specific to my IT opportunities including client meetings, course trainings,
studies, I was keen to apply and implement my experience and and internal discussions. I was fortunate to work closely with
knowledge to the position. Throughout the several rounds of experienced individuals who provided continuous feedback
interviews, I vocalized my career goals and had the chance to and mentorship. This exposure helped me develop a deeper
learn more about the company’s culture, management, and understanding of the government consulting field while
projects which solidified my interest. simultaneously improving my problem solving and soft
How was your internship experience at MIL? What are skills which are pivotal to my career today. My internship
some of the key things you learned during that time? was instrumental in preparing me for my current full-time
role and allowed me to step into the position and take on
The internship position provided me with a very fast paced challenges with confidence.
environment in which there were new experiences and
things to learn each day. I was able to shadow and learn from
multiple VPs in different departments as well as learn more
behind the inner workings of government contract proposals
and consulting. Throughout my internship experience, I Joyce’s journey from intern to full-time business management
was consistently receiving feedback from managers and analyst is a testament to the opportunities and growth our
very frequently had open discussions about my goals and internship program at MIL offers. Her success story highlights
career path. These open discussions made me feel extremely the value of our supportive environment and the real-world
supported within the company and it was very apparent that experiences our interns gain. As we celebrate National Intern
my growth mattered. Day, we invite you to explore the possibilities within our
internship program. Apply today and start your own journey
toward a fulfilling career with MIL!

4 | the MIL connection | summer 2024