Summer 2019 – Intern Farewell

by info-services@infotechinc.com | Aug 22, 2019 | Blog

In our time at Infotech Consulting, it is safe to say we have been somewhat spoiled by the broad range of opportunities we have been given. It is not often you find a company that promotes the social well-being of fair, competitive business practices, while also encouraging you to build camaraderie with fellow interns through ping-pong and Pac-Man.

On May 21, 2019, we arrived for our first day not exactly knowing what to expect, but we had a desire to learn as much as possible. From the very first week, it became clear that Infotech takes pride in its work without compromising the well-being of its employees. A fair amount of Infotech Consulting team members have worked here longer than the three of us have been alive, which speaks volumes about how Infotech treats its employees. 

Michael’s Recap

I am an economics graduate student at the University of Florida. Upon coming to Infotech, my main point of interest was learning more about data management and data analysis because I know how vital data skills are in the field of economics. I am extremely grateful for the guidance and support of the data management team, and I am especially appreciative of their patience with me as I continue to learn new coding skills. In addition to the exciting new data skills I have learned, I have also been fortunate enough to work with Infotech’s Economic Expert Dr. Rob Kneuper on some of his casework. I feel lucky to have been given such a well-rounded experience so far. There is no shortage of wisdom here. My favorite part of this internship is that I was afforded the opportunity to do legitimate work on projects that the company’s expert witnesses will depend on, which is the sort of confidence and trust that does not appear to be common across many other internships. This team genuinely believes in our abilities, and I think that is essential to any valuable internship. 

Tirza’s Roundup

I am a rising junior at the University of Florida studying economics. I first became interested in Infotech because I was doing research on using algorithms to police tacit collusion. Infotech’s bid rigging analysis software is a great example of how data analysis of market structure can be used as circumstantial evidence of collusion, and this internship program has allowed me to gain firsthand experience with antitrust economics. I was already familiar with the case development process through my work at UF with Dr. Roger Blair who does antitrust consulting. However, I lacked the data analysis skills necessary to fully analyze a case. Nine weeks in, I am much more comfortable with SAS and I count that as a success. The case development work I have done has complimented my previous knowledge especially since individual cases always have their own idiosyncrasies. The variation keeps me on my toes and makes the work dynamic. As an intern, I am treated like a valued employee because of the relevant work I do and the attitudes of the many mentors in my department.

Erin’s Report

Just a few months ago I was frantically searching for a summer internship. At the time, I didn’t know where I wanted to be or what I wanted to be doing, but I cannot be happier that my choices led me to Infotech. As a rising senior studying both statistics and political science, I wanted to find a professional experience that would allow me to utilize skills I have gained from both of my majors. Most of my experience with statistics comes from a theoretical background, so it has been very interesting to see how statistics can be applied to a field as interesting as antitrust economics. However, my work has not only been limited to statistics, as I have also been given the opportunity to work with the case development team on research that is imperative in creating accurate statistical models. This internship has provided a unique opportunity to learn about the entire process of econometric and statistical consulting, not just one aspect of it. Although I have learned a lot from the variety of work that I have done over the last nine weeks, I have also had the opportunity to learn from everyone on the consulting team, who are more than happy to answer any question that I have. Everyone is so passionate about the work that they are doing, and the quality of the work done here reflects that. My time at Infotech has taught me how important it is to feel valued by the company you work for and to value the work that you are doing. 

Together, we are extremely grateful for the opportunity we have been given!

Meet The Interns – Tirza Angerhofer!

by info-services@infotechinc.com | Jun 5, 2019 | Blog

One of Infotech Consulting’s Summer 2019 Interns, Tirza Angerhofer, sat down to answer a couple of critical questions about her academic interests, her internship expectations, and her desired superpower. Check out this interview to get a glimpse of the next generation.

What university are you attending and what is your area of study?
University: University of Florida
Major: Economics, International Studies

What drew you to that area of study?
Initially, I began my college career as a business major studying Information System. In the last semester of my Freshman year, I began working for Dr. Roger Blair in the economics department who has had a huge influence on my major decision. It was through this job that I discovered my interest in economics, antitrust, mathematics, and statistics.

What has been your favorite course outside of your area of study?
My favorite class outside of Economics and International Studies was Principles of Entomology. Nature is a part of my childhood. I grew up around it and my family would always take vacations to National Parks. Learning about insects brought me back into that world and allowed me to learn about creatures that are not well understood but play a huge role in the ecosystem.

What are you hoping to gain, learn or experience during your Infotech Consulting internship?
When I leave Infotech Consulting for the last time, I hope that I can carry with me knowledge about data analytics and case development, but even more so I hope to gain a sense of pride that as an intern at Infotech Consulting, was able to be a part of cases, whose lasting impacts are much bigger than anything I could accomplish on my own.

Do you have any pets? What kind and what are their names?
I have a cat named Maya whose claim to fame is her ability to high five for treats.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation would allow me to travel anywhere for free and help me save time on my morning commute.

Share a fun fact about yourself.
I can throw someone twice my weight on the ground…with their participation. I have been a part of the judo club at UF for over a year now. Although I don’t stand much chance in a street fight, I hope I have gained enough skills to be able to get away if I need to.

Meet The Interns – Michael Smith!

by info-services@infotechinc.com | Jun 5, 2019 | Blog

One of Infotech Consulting’s Summer 2019 Interns, Michael Smith, sat down to answer a couple of critical questions about his academic interests, his internship expectations, and his desired superpower.

Check out this interview to get a glimpse of the next generation.

What university are you attending and what is your area of study?
University: University of Florida
Major: Economics Minor: Leadership

What drew you to that area of study?
Economics classes were always my favorite in high school, so I knew I had a passion for the subject. Plus, I feel like I excelled in those courses as well.

What has been your favorite course outside of your area of study?
Sports, Media, and Society. This class was a really interesting elective I took in the journalism college, and the professor brought in a lot of people from the industry, such as Jeff Darlington, Laura Rutledge, and even former NFL player Chad Johnson.

What are you hoping to gain, learn or experience during your Infotech Consulting internship?
I am really excited about the opportunity to gain more experience working with data. Whether it is managing the data or analyzing the data, I believe these are very powerful skills to master. Additionally, I am excited to be immersed in Infotech Consulting’s culture. Many people here have worked here for decades, and I believe this fact shows Infotech Consulting is a good place to be.

Do you have any pets? What kind and what are their names?
I have two dogs, and they are both puggles. One is named Lulu, and the other is named Tobey.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
I think I would definitely have to go with teleportation. Never having to worry about rush hour traffic again is a big plus.

Share a fun fact about yourself.
I love playing basketball, and I have played my entire life. In fact, I actually help the UF women’s basketball team as a practice player.

Meet The Interns – Erin Connors!

by info-services@infotechinc.com | Jun 5, 2019 | Blog

One of Infotech Consulting’s Summer 2019 Interns, Erin Connors, sat down to answer a couple of critical questions about her academic interests, her internship expectations, and her desired superpower. Check out this interview to get a glimpse of the next generation.

What university are you attending and what is your area of study?
University: University of Florida
Majors: Statistics and Political Science
Minors: Russian and Math

What drew you to that area of study?
After the 2016 presidential election, I was really interested in election polling and how statistics are used within politics.

What has been your favorite course outside of your area of study?
I took a class that was called the Problem with Political Jokes is That They Get Elected. It was an interdisciplinary honors course where we analyzed political satire and how it affected mainstream politics. There aren’t many classes where your homework is to watch SNL videos!

What are you hoping to gain, learn or experience during your Infotech Consulting internship?
I am really excited to see the application of statistics! In my classes I have had the opportunity to study a lot of statistical theory, but not how the theory is used in an application.

Do you have any pets? What kind and what are their names?
I have a dog named Finn! He’s a French Bulldog and Boston Terrier mix.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation so I wouldn’t have to drive or fly anywhere ever again.

Share a fun fact about yourself.
After this internship, I’ll be spending my entire academic year abroad – Hong Kong in the Fall and Dublin in the Spring!