Archive for category: Employee Bios

By Anna Strickland, Intern at Kenton Brothers

Walking into an Industry I Knew Nothing About

As a student at the University of Kansas pursuing degrees in business management and leadership and film and media studies, an internship at a security company wasn’t something I ever considered. I needed an internship to graduate from the business school and ended up at Kenton Brothers. I was offered a position that would give me experience in project management, development, and supply chain- but I never expected how complex the industry would be.

The Intricacies of Everyday Safety

Security is a process that involves more than simple locks on your door. Prior to starting my internship, I didn’t know how much design and engineering was necessary. Property walk-throughs are conducted, customer needs are assessed, blueprints are designed, and an entire installation is completed. There is software, hardware, and a network that must be correctly operating together for security to be effective. (I am constantly walking into establishments and now wondering what their security system looks like.)

A Culture of Learning

One thing I’ve really appreciated about my team here is that every department is willing to teach me about their craft. I even learned how to key a lock, which I hope can be a cool party trick one day. I’m not surprised that everyone here is so supportive because abiding by the SPICED ICE values is highly important to this company. I enjoy working around people who want to get the job done right, and have especially learned a lot about taking great care of an assignment all the way through since I sit with the project managers.

The Importance of a Security System

Security isn’t just about protecting the building. It protects people’s lives. It is essential for every person involved in an assignment to execute the best safety plan possible. The worst case could be someone losing their life if systems aren’t properly installed. There is much more weight on employees in this industry than people typically understand.

Changes in My Perspective

Walking into an industry I knew nothing about gave me a lot of anxiety. I was worried that it would be hard for me to pick up on standard knowledge and I would come across as unintelligent. I was also going into something that I had never considered and knew I might not make into a career. However, I’ve gained an incredible newfound understanding of business operations that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I believe that other interns should practice skills that pertain to the industry they are going into, but they should also consider trying out paths that don’t seem connected. Supply chain operations look different in every industry, but I’ve experienced that smooth operations require accountability from all departments and can be applied to the artistic industries I plan on pursuing. I’ll be able to walk into any career with special experience that sets me apart.

Final Thoughts on My Time at Kenton Brothers

I found it fascinating that the company has been around since 1897 and has managed to keep up with a rapidly changing industry. Current technology looks nothing like it did over 125 years ago, and Kenton Brothers has stayed on top of these changes to ensure success. I’ve also loved the inspiration that comes from working at a woman-owned company. Gina Stuelke has been a great of example of how to walk into a room and gain instant respect. I deeply admire how hard she has worked her entire life to be successful in a role that can be male-dominated.

I’ve been able to trust that everyone here has wanted my experience to be a good one, which I appreciate. I’ll be closing this internship out with a new respect for the security industry, as well as experience that my peers most likely won’t have. There is a lot of value in an internship like this and other college students should consider what something like this can do for them!