At the end of her freshman year at Cornell University, Information Science major Brittany Sun accepted a challenging summer internship project: the Vendor Performance Mapping and Scorecards initiative. Tasked by her Cornell IT supervisor with analyzing the performance and relationships of 40 vendors, Sun focused on establishing uniform expectations to maintain and strengthen partnerships with these essential services providers.

“The project began with extensive research on each vendor, focusing on five key themes: Performance, Financials, Relationship Management, Risk, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors,” said Sun. “The more I learned, the more I realized that effective vendor management extends beyond the numbers—it requires a deep understanding of the vendors’ roles within the larger organizational framework.”

Interviewing Cornell IT team members who had experience working closely with these vendors helped Sun hone her communication skills. “I learned to navigate complex discussions and extract valuable insights, and the data from my spreadsheet supported precise evaluations of performance metrics,” she said.

“I expected a focus on technical tasks, but I was surprised by the depth of collaboration and interdisciplinary work within the CIT department. The emphasis on teamwork and strategic thinking, and the supportive and inclusive culture within the team fostered an environment where ideas were welcomed, and everyone’s contributions were valued.”

As she worked on structuring a knowledge page—a centralized repository of vendor information—Sun recognized the broader implications of her project. Her repository would help standardize future responses, enhance preparedness, and ultimately facilitate more effective communication with vendors.

“This internship equipped me with practical skills in project management, data analysis, and focused research, which are transferable across various industries,” said Sun. “It has strengthened my ability to manage projects and collaborate effectively with diverse teams. Most importantly, this internship enhanced my understanding of IT operations within a larger organization and underscored the importance of empathy and relationship management in technical sectors.”

Sun’s experience aligns with the goals of Cornell’s Alliance for Diversity and Inclusion (ADI) Student Intern Program, which was launched in 2008 to introduce career opportunities to students who might not have otherwise considered roles in finance, audit, procurement, IT, retail, public safety, and similar fields.

For future ADI interns, Sun advises, “Take ownership of your project, but also treat everything as a learning experience. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek feedback from supervisors and mentors.”