In the realm of career development, some stories stand out as exceptional examples of determination and seizing opportunities, and at Urban Science, embodying our company’s #DoGreatThings value. Megan Binion‘s journey is one such story – a testament to the power of resilience and a commitment to personal growth.
Binion, a consultant on our Atlanta-based team serving Porsche Cars North America, BraunAbility, INEOS, Ducati and Zero Motorcycles, has a passion for STEM that was ignited at a young age through her involvement in Wayne State University’s pre-engineering program. This program empowers middle- and high-school girls to gain invaluable STEM-related knowledge and experience, positioning them to achieve competitive advantage in college admissions and STEM careers. While Binion later chose Asian studies as her major at University of Michigan and eventually earned her bachelor’s degree in this discipline, the lessons from her earlier STEM education and experiences stayed with her throughout her academic journey and beyond.
Graduating amid the “Great Recession,” Binion and many other new grads faced challenges following graduation as economic factors caused many organizations around the world to slow and/or freeze hiring. Undeterred, she persevered, working various jobs while seeking new avenues for professional growth across different industries. Recognizing the need for a change to achieve her personal and professional aspirations, Binion decided to pursue a master’s degree in business analytics with a specialty in information management and coordination analytics – and to re-engage in the sciences – at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. It was this shift that eventually led her to apply for a business metrics internship with our team.
During her time as an Urban Science intern, Binion tapped her new and existing STEM education and technical skills, and her undergraduate background and interpersonal skills, to contribute to meaningful projects and form strong connections with colleagues and mentors. One notable project involved extensive research regarding vehicle electrification, providing valuable insights to scientifically forecast the future of EV charging infrastructure and battery technology using our company’s unrivaled near-real-time industry sales data. Through meticulous analysis, Binion and her colleagues positioned our company to continue to guide clients to business certainty in a complex and ambiguous operating environment that continues to evolve faster than ever.
Throughout her time with us, Binion has established herself as a go-to member of our team, earning her not only the appreciation of her colleagues and leaders, but a full-time offer on our Detroit-based team supporting our Atlanta office. In her new role, Binion is responsible for supporting clients through Urban Science’s proprietary solution for dealer network studies, Ni2, and delivering demographic studies, data analytics and ongoing reporting. Even after her shift to a full-time role, Binion looks back on her internship experience fondly.
“Reflecting on my internship journey, I truly can’t say enough about Urban Science’s commitment to creating opportunity for interns to engage in hands-on experiences and be part of real-world scenarios that continue drive our clients – and our industry – forward,” said Binion. “Our internship program offers a valuable opportunity for interns to explore career paths, learn from experienced professionals and develop relationships and essential skills that are foundations for future success.”
Binion’s advice to current and future Urban Science interns? “Embrace curiosity, cultivate a genuine interest in a wide range of topics, step out of your comfort zone to expand your skill sets and pay attention to detail,” she said. “By actively seeking growth opportunities and building strong relationships with mentors and leaders, you’ll foster collaboration and continuous improvement – personally and within your team – that takes your work to new heights.”
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