Selah Ashby, a business management and marketing major with a Spanish minor embarked on an exciting summer internship at Mondelēz International, a global leader in sustainable snacking with a vibrant, inclusive culture.
With a strong foundation in business and a passion for innovative marketing, Ashby joined the Change Management team, eager to explore organizational behavior and communication strategies in a dynamic environment.
Infusing creativity into change management
As a change management intern, Ashby’s primary project involved designing an internal marketing campaign for Mondelēz’s new change management curriculum. Her goal was to boost awareness and inspire employees to explore change management practices.
“I loved how creativity was essential to every part of my role, from designing campaign materials to planning engagement activities,” she says.
Ashby collaborated with cross-functional teams, analyzed stakeholder needs and developed strategies to spark interest and encourage participation. “The collaborative environment meant that every idea was valued, making it a space where creativity could thrive,” she says.
Her efforts contributed to a successful campaign launch, significantly enhancing employee engagement.
Professional growth in a vibrant company culture
Beyond her project, Ashby fully immersed herself in the lively company culture at Mondelēz. A highlight was an exclusive preview of the Star Wars-themed Oreos launch.
“We got a sneak peek at the new Oreos, and Stormtroopers even showed up for photos! Plus, I won a Star Wars poster in a trivia contest,” she says.
Throughout her internship, Ashby honed her project management, stakeholder engagement and communication skills. Regular interactions with various departments gave her a broader perspective on the impact of change management initiatives, allowing her to tailor her strategies effectively.
“I learned to present ideas confidently and adapt based on feedback,” she adds, reflecting on her professional growth.
For Ashby, her time at Mondelēz was, in a word, "creative." It blended strategic thinking with her passion for innovation, making it a memorable chapter in her career journey.
Vinicius da Paixao Fernandes, a double major in business analytics and information management (BAIM) and finance with a focus on international business, spent his summer as a risk data analyst intern at CM Financial, a leading Panamanian fintech company. His role at the company, part of the holding company Groupe Cochez, gave him the chance to merge his love for finance with hands-on data analytics.
Building a dashboard that made an impact
da Paixao Fernandes’ main project was to create a profit model dashboard to refine customer demographic segmentation and decision-making.
“I had to write more than 150 lines of complex code using BigQuery SQL, incorporating detailed financial theory,” he explains.
The project challenged him to deepen his technical expertise in data extraction, analysis and visualization. A key moment was presenting his dashboard and “k-means clustering analysis” directly to the CEO of the holding group.
“It was nerve-wracking, but incredibly rewarding when he expressed his satisfaction with the results,” da Paixao Fernandes shares.
A new perspective on career aspirations
da Paixao Fernandes initially focused on building his coding and data expertise but discovered his true passion lies in strategy development.
“This experience taught me that I want to leverage my technical skills to drive strategic decisions, rather than relying solely on a dedicated data analytics department,” he says.
Motivation and momentum for the future
When asked to describe his internship in one word, da Paixao Fernandes chose “motivating.” He reflected, “Seeing my work make an impact and presenting recommendations to the CEO showed me what I’m capable of. It was a powerful confidence boost that has motivated me to take on bigger challenges.”
da Paixao Fernandes’ impressive work led to a return offer for next summer, setting the stage for an exciting future in the fintech industry.
Natalie Deck, a marketing major with a minor in communications, joined pet health company Elanco this summer as the first-ever key account management intern, taking on projects that blended marketing and data analysis. Her passion for connecting with people and her knack for strategic thinking made her a perfect fit for the pet health marketing department.
Exploring marketing from every angle
Deck’s primary project, based on the concept of channel blur, analyzed the vertical integration of Elanco’s retail partners. She also worked on projects related to virtual bundles and auto-shipments for platforms like Amazon and Chewy.
“These projects have sharpened my data analysis skills and storytelling,” says Deck. This internship allowed her to explore how customer insights shape strategic decisions.
Meaningful connections and professional growth
Beyond her projects, Deck valued the relationship she built at Elanco.
"The people I’ve met here will be lifelong connections," she says.
She learned essential tools right away. “Everyone talks about the ‘first 90 days’ of a job. I learned the tools I need to have a successful start in just three weeks here,” says Deck.
A highlight of collaboration and culture
A memorable highlight for Deck was speaking on a panel for high school students in a STEM program. “Sharing my experience and hearing others’ stories showed me just how supportive Elanco’s environment is across many departments.”
In a word, Deck described her internship as “transformative.” The experience provided her with tools, skills and connections that will shape her future career in marketing.
Ethan Haeberle, a major in integrated business and engineering (IBE) with a minor in construction engineering and management, spent an exciting summer as a project engineer intern at Barton Malow with their Self Perform Trades team.
He worked with Ford’s construction at Kentucky’s Blue Oval SK Battery Park.
Building on passion and expertise
For Haeberle, the internship perfectly blended his academic training with his long-standing interest in construction.
“The internship felt like a natural fit, combining the project management and cost analysis skills I’ve learned in IBE with my love for the construction industry,” he says. Haeberle’s responsibilities ranged from interpreting and marking up detailed site drawings to creating priority door installation plans and developing tools to track on-site progress.
“One of the biggest strides I made was learning to interpret complex architectural plans using Bluebeam, Navisworks and BIM 360,” he says.
Hands-on experience and field insights
A highlight of the internship for Haeberle was collaborating with the field team, bridging the gap between office and site operations.
“Interacting with the field team taught me the importance of clear communication and the immense value of learning from those executing the work on the ground,” he reflects.
This hands-on learning gave Haeberle a deeper appreciation for the construction process and the collaborative culture at Barton Malow.
Charting a path toward sustainable infrastructure
Haeberle’s time at Barton Malow solidified his dedication to the construction field and sparked a new interest in sustainable projects.
“This internship inspired me to focus on building a sustainable future,” he says, citing the company’s emphasis on continuous learning.
Describing his summer in one word, Haeberle chose “insightful.” He added, “It’s one thing to watch from the sidelines, but being in the thick of it, learning from so many perspectives, has been an incredible experience.”
Haeberle’s time with Barton Malow was a significant step in his journey, equipping him with hands-on skills, meaningful connections and a clearer vision for his future in construction and sustainable development. He’ll be a field engineer for M.A. Mortenson’s solar division starting in May 2025.
As a rising junior majoring in integrated business and engineering with a minor in Spanish, Isabelle Smith landed her role as a project coordinator intern at Crowe LLP through strategic networking at Purdue’s career fair.
“I connected with Daniels School alumni working at Crowe, and their insights, combined with an engaging interview experience, made me eager to join the team,” Smith says. Her proactive approach led to an exciting opportunity in the Indianapolis office just before her junior year.
A hands-on introduction to consulting
This internship marked Smith’s first deep dive into consulting, where she quickly adapted to the fast-paced environment. Her responsibilities included navigating project management systems, leading a team of interns and collaborating directly with clients.
“I was able to organize tasks, lead our intern group, and see the immediate impact of our work with the client,” she says.
From client visits to future plans
One of the standout moments of Smith’s summer was her first business trip to North and South Carolina to meet with clients face-to-face.
“Traveling to see the client’s operations firsthand was invaluable—it gave me a deeper understanding of our project’s real-world implications,” she says.
Mentorship played a significant role in Smith’s growth throughout the internship. “Every full-time employee made mentoring the interns a priority,” she notes. Shadowing her project coordinator provided her with insights into the daily life of a consultant, helping her build confidence and quick decision-making skills.
Smith’s efforts did not go unnoticed—she has been invited to return to Crowe next summer with the data analytics team in their Chicago office.
Reflecting on her internship, she described the experience as "personal." Her time at Crowe gave her a strong foundation in consulting, leaving her excited for the next chapter in her career journey.
Isha Tripathy, a double major in economics and business analytics and information management, spent her summer as a data analyst intern at Nike’s global headquarters in Oregon. With a passion for analytics and a love for Nike products, Tripathy was excited to learn the inner workings of a brand she has long admired.
Analyzing data for sustainable solutions
During her internship, Tripathy worked on a high-impact project focused on sustainability in Nike’s supply chain. She developed a heatmap of the company’s most carbon-intensive transportation lanes, helping identify areas for potential environmental improvement.
“Working on this project strengthened my analytical skills and gave me a deeper understanding of the transportation aspect of supply chain management,” she says.
Collaborating with various stakeholders throughout the project also honed her communication abilities, a key skill she found essential in a data-driven environment.
Experiencing Nike’s dynamic culture
Tripathy’s summer showcased Nike’s vibrant culture.
“I’ve had the chance to attend talks by inspiring leaders like John Donahoe and Howard ‘H’ White, and even got to enjoy a Portland Thorns game,” she says. Meeting athletes and participating in company events highlighted Nike’s focus on community and sport, making her experience memorable.
Aligning analytics with passion for sustainability
Tripathy’s role at Nike reinforced her interest in supply chain analytics and sparked a new fascination with sustainability.
“This internship allowed me to dive into sustainable transportation, which I found incredibly exciting,” she says. The experience aligned well with her career goals, providing her with firsthand insights into how data analytics can drive impactful decisions at a global company.
Describing her summer in one word, Tripathy chose “fulfilling.”
“I’ve been able to make a real impact on the business, especially in improving transportation efficiency, while also growing both personally and professionally.”
Tripathy’s internship at Nike was more than just a learning experience—it was an inspiring blend of sport, analytics and sustainability, leaving her grateful for the opportunity and excited about the road ahead.
