Welcome Midwest Hub Interns!

We are happy to have three new summer 2009 interns join our team: Mikhaila Baltes, Jay Benson and Kylle Jordan.  Please see their bios below for more details.  Email or Call 612-348-1638 if you'd like to have an intern assist you with a project. 

Interns have access to:  Lotus notes, all databases on the DOC Insider, ITA Ourplace, USITC Dataweb, Global Trade Information Systems databases

-Mikhaila Baltes - Email: mikhaila.baltes@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

-Jay Benson - Email: jay.benson@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

-Kylle Jordan - Email:  kylle.jordan@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

-Marcus Dormanen - Email: marcus.dormanen@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

I am currently a senior at Hamilton College in Clinton, NY.   I am working towards a double major in economics and Chinese.  By studying Chinese and economics in college, I have developed a strong interest in international business and trade, especially in China and other growing Asian nations.  Due to my strong interest in China, I spent eight months of my sophomore year studying Chinese culture and language (Mandarin) in Beijing.  This experience not only increased my knowledge of the nation, but also opened my eyes to the tremendous effects of international trade and foreign investment.  I hope to return to China at some point after I graduate in order to achieve true fluency in the language.  Outside of the classroom, I am a member of the Hamilton College men’s varsity soccer team.  Playing a sport in college has not only improved my leadership and communication skills, but has also allowed me to truly understand the importance of teamwork.  I have several goals that I wish to accomplish over the course of this internship.  I would like to develop a clear understanding of the export process for smaller firms looking to expand into the global market.  Secondly, I hope that I will be able to gain valuable experience in the promotion of international trade in a wide variety of industries.  Finally, I would like to develop more knowledge on the export markets in the rapidly growing Asian economies through specific market research.

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I am an undergraduate student at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. I am working towards a double major in Business Administration and Spanish Language with an emphasis in Marketing and a minor in Economics. I have a passion for travel, and this past spring spent four months studying Business and Spanish in Barcelona, Spain. From this experience, I learned a lot about the people and culture of Spain and I now have a special interest and respect for this part of the world. I hope to be able to return and work or travel in Spain in my future career.  My past internship experience includes work at the Minnesota Children’s Museum, where I helped with research in the local Hispanic and Hmong communities for the promotion of upcoming exhibits. I play Varsity Soccer at Augustana College and I believe this is where I gain and develop many of my special skills. Being a part of this sport has improved my leadership abilities, enhanced my communication skills and developed my capability to work in teams and groups.  Other skills and interests include writing, a proficiency in Spanish, and knowledge of many types of computer skills. I hope to gain new experience by working as a U.S. Commercial Service Intern, some of which include: Learn about the exporting process; Observe and gain experience working with international trade; Develop a knowledge of local businesses working with the U.S. Commercial Service and their products; Observe and attend meetings and events with local businesses; Learn specific market research information for Latin and South American countries; Develop a better understanding of  the European Economy; I have a special interest in Europe specifically Spain, and also Latin and South America.

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My name is Jay Benson and I am a senior at Drake University studying International Relations with a concentration in International Political Economy, Political Science and Mandarin. I have always been interested by the interactions of national economies and the process of international financial and commercial globalization. My interest in China’s economy, history, and foreign policy, along with a desire to improve my Chinese led me to live and study in Shanghai for four months in the fall of 2008. After completion of my undergraduate work I hope to return to China in order to improve my fluency in Mandarin as well as my understanding of Chinese society. I have several goals for what I would like to achieve during the course of this internship. The first is to improve my understanding of how international trade works on a smaller scale: I want to understand how individual firms go about the process of exporting to foreign markets. What steps does it take on the part of the firm? Secondly, I would like to gain experience in and increase my understanding of East Asian economies. I have a particular interest in China and Southeast Asia and look forward to improving my knowledge of these dynamic economies. Finally, I would like to gain valuable experience in the area of international trade to help me achieve further educational and career goals in the areas of international political economy and foreign policy.

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Kylle Jordan is originally from Minnesota where she earned her B.A. in International Relations and French at St. Cloud State University. After graduation, she interned for the State Department at the American Embassy in Paris, worked as an import specialist for DataCard, a Minnesota-based company, and finally as a member of the communications team for the Marine Stewardship Council, a London-based non-profit organization that promotes sustainable development.  Through these positions she gained an appreciation for the mantra of “trade not aid” for economic development abroad, and export promotion domestically.  She is currently pursuing her M.A. in Global Finance, Trade and Economic Integration (GFTEI) with a concentration in Sustainable Development at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver.  Kylle has a particular interest in the promotion of small and medium-sized companies worldwide.  Her experience with such promotion is quite varied, from machines and parts in the U.S., to hake fisheries in South Africa.  Thus, her main goals for this internship include gaining hands-on experience in trade promotion for various industries; learning methods to improve market access, not only for the U.S., but for developing countries as well; and working directly with exporters through site visits and seminars to help solve their trade issues. She especially hopes to learn more about global agriculture trade, and efforts to include Africa.