Tobias Lewis is a senior majoring in Economics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and currently serves as Treasurer of the Central Black Student Union. He learned about the ATLAS Internship Program through his academic advisor and chose to join because it offered an accessible way to gain meaningful technical experience, even for students beginning with limited skills.
Tobias is now in his third semester as an ATLAS intern, working as a Client Relations Specialist for the ATLAS team. In this role, he supports cross-team communication with various LAS departments, helping establish and maintain productive working relationships. He also tailors ATLAS placement data for specific clients using Excel and develops data visualizations and summary reports that demonstrate placement outcomes for potential partners. These responsibilities have strengthened his technical abilities in Excel, Microsoft tools, and R programming while also sharpening his communication, organization, and leadership skills.
One of Tobias’s key lessons from the internship is the belief that any experience can become meaningful if approached with intention and a willingness to learn. This perspective has shaped how he contributes to the program and collaborates with colleagues. Looking ahead, Tobias plans to pursue a career as a public policy analyst, ideally at an institution committed to poverty alleviation or equitable resource distribution. In his free time he often shares recommendations with friends and attends local performances when possible, in the community and on campus.