September 27, 2024

Brandon Jansen spent the summer as an intern at MarketBeat, a Sioux Falls company that got its start on Dakota State University's campus.

MarketBeat, started by DSU alumnus Matt Paulson, is an Inc. 5000 financial media company that provides real-time financial data, in-depth analysis, and best-in-class stock research tools for individual investors.

A senior computer science major from Emery, S.D., Jansen applied for an internship at MarketBeat through the DSU career fair and was excited to be selected for the inaugural software development internship program.

"Providing internships to college students is crucial because it immerses them in a supportive, real-world environment, allowing them to experience their chosen profession and develop essential skills," said Bekah Van Maanen, MarketBeat web developer who helped develop the company's internship program.

The company's internship program has two parts: a growing developer series and a young professional series.

In the growing developer series, the interns focused on learning the fundamentals of being a developer, such as learning Agile Software Development, a set of principles and practices for developing software, Jansen explained.

The young professionals series teaches the interns to develop skills like resume building and understanding health insurance.

"The people at MarketBeat were full of fun and made it a very special experience," he said.

As his summer project, Jansen and another intern created an in-house app for the company to make lunch orders easier. He appreciated the opportunity to see the real-world application of what he learns at DSU.

"It puts what we are doing in class into a different perspective," he said. "You get to reflect on the code you already wrote, learn from it, and think about how you would do it differently next time."

Additionally, Jansen had the unique opportunity to talk with Paulson about their shared experiences in Madison and at DSU.

His dedication as an intern didn't go unnoticed.

"Brandon embraced the culture at MarketBeat, always being available to assist when needed," Van Maanen said. "He truly thrived in networking with other interns and engaging in volunteer projects. Coming in with solid knowledge from his coursework at DSU, Brandon expanded on that foundation, ultimately completing a project and further developing his skills during the internship."

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