Alexis Mata
Department: Flexco HR Training Intern
Flexco Family Member Since: 2022 

When Alexis Mata first stepped through the doors of Flexco as a young student during Take Your Child to Work Day, she was simply tagging along with her dad, Juan Mata, a Flexco employee with over 20 years of experience under his belt. What she didn’t know then was that she would one day return; this time, though, it would not be as a visitor, but as a valued team member helping shape the future of her workplace. 

In May of 2022, during the summer after her sophomore year as a business management major at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, she joined Flexco as an HR Training Intern and has spent each year since growing into a confident, capable professional with a clear vision for her future. 

Her story is a testament to what is possible when an intern is given not just tasks, but real trust within their role. 

A Real Seat at the Table 

Alexis first learned about her internship through her father. After years of hearing about the culture, the people, and the ever-present growth opportunities, she was eager to see firsthand what made Flexco so special. 

“The HR Training Intern position was a great opportunity to get my foot in the door in the business world and see how my major applied to real workplace experiences,” Alexis said. “I always knew I wanted to be in HR and training, and this seemed like the perfect place to start shaping my future.” 

Her interview process included a resumé submission, an initial phone screening with Human Resources, and a final conversation with her future supervisor and Learning and Development Manager, Suzanne Laine. Shortly afterward, she received her offer and began preparing for her first summer as a Flexco intern. 

Meaningful Work from Day One

From the beginning, Alexis was treated like a true contributor, not just a summer hire. This is a principle that Flexco aims to practice, no matter what level an employee is brought on as. 

On her first day, onboarding was led by Victoria Miller, HR Coordinator, who helped introduce her to Flexco’s internal systems, tools, and her department team. Almost immediately, Alexis was put to the test by taking on projects that supported real business functions and impacted departments across the organization. 

Her first tasks involved managing content in Flexco’s Learning Management System (LMS). This involved working on translated training videos, ensuring they had proper thumbnails, and organizing and preparing digital learning tools for employees across the company. 

“Being trusted with that work helped me build confidence right away,” Alexis said. “I wasn’t just learning how to do job tasks, I was learning how to contribute as a real member of the team.” 

Discovering a Passion for Data

Over time, Alexis began to notice a pattern: she loved the analytical side of HR.  

The more she worked with data, through organizing, interpreting, and acting on it, the more excited she became. She brought attention of that interest to her manager, and instead of being boxed into a narrow role like many interns at other companies have come to expect, she was encouraged to grow. 

“Suzanne has always supported me in exploring what I’m interested in,” she shared. “When I said I was enjoying my work with data, she found ways to give me more projects that aligned with that interest.” 

This experience influenced her academic path as well. As a result, she is now hoping to pursue a master’s degree in data analytics after graduation, combining her love of training and people development with data-driven strategies.

A Culture of Growth and Support

For Alexis, one of the most valuable parts of the internship has been Flexco’s culture, particularly in the support she receives from her manager. 

“Suzanne sets high expectations, but she is also incredibly encouraging,” Alexis said. “That support system has made a huge difference and has actually made my college classes easier because I get to apply what I’m learning at Flexco.” 

Alexis also appreciates the flexibility Flexco provides to student interns. Throughout her tenure, she has been encouraged to take time when needed to focus on school, family, or personal growth. By recognizing that internship success and academic success go hand in hand, she has had a much more rewarding experience. 

Additionally, Flexco encourages input from every intern that takes part in the program and hosts an end-of-summer presentation where they share what they’ve learned and accomplished, and encourages presenters to provide feedback on their experience. 

Having been part of several intern classes now, Alexis has not only seen her own growth year after year but has also enjoyed watching her peers develop and thrive. 

“It’s impressive how much we all learn in just a few months,” she said. “Every year is different, and the work always builds on what we’ve done before.”

Looking Ahead

After completing her bachelor’s degree, Alexis plans to pursue her master’s and continue building a career in HR, particularly in training and development, where she sees potential to shape culture and empower others. 

“Instilling values and creating learning opportunities is incredibly rewarding,” she said. “I want to keep doing that, and I want to do it even better. The opportunity with Flexco has been eye-opening and I cannot wait to take what I’ve learned to the next level.” 

Advice to Future Interns

When asked what she’d tell someone considering an internship at Flexco, Alexis didn’t hesitate. 

“If you want to grow, don’t be afraid to try something new,” she said. “Let your manager know what you’re interested in. They want you to succeed, and they’ll find ways to give you work that aligns with your passions.” 

At Flexco, internships aren’t about making copies or watching work happen from the sidelines, they’re about building a foundation for your future career. 

Alexis’ journey from childhood visitor to trusted team member shows just how far an intern can go when they’re supported, challenged, and inspired. As she looks ahead to the next chapter of her career, one thing is certain: she’ll carry the lessons and values she gained at Flexco with her, and we’ll carry forward everything we learned from her in return.