Alex is getting her MBA in Marketing and Operations at the University of Scranton. She has been working in Product Marketing with the patisserie team, launching new products, working on marketing strategy, and helping with website changes.
1. How did you find out about this internship, and what motivated you to apply for it?
"I found out about this internship through LinkedIn. I have always wanted to work in the food industry so applying for this job seemed like a no brainer."
2. How has this internship contributed to your understanding of the food industry?
"Throughout high school and college, I had several jobs working in restaurants. Working here has opened my eyes to how the supplier side of the food industry is run. I have gained a lot more specialized knowledge around the food industry, especially when it comes to B2B."
3. What advice would you give to other students or individuals considering the same internship or a similar role?
"Trust your knowledge. I think entering into an internship can be daunting and a lot is thrown at you right off the bat. It is important to remember that you have knowledge from school and previous experiences. Be confident in what you know and your skills, but also do not be afraid to ask for help--you are here to learn."
4. What areas did you grow in during your internship?
"This internship allowed me to grow various professional skills. I was able to work on projects that I did not have any experience with prior. I was also exposed to various facets of the business that allowed me to expand my knowledge when it comes to various business processes within our industry."
5.Could you describe a typical day as an intern in this role?
"There is no such thing as a typical day at Puratos. Every single day you are met with new challenges, responsibilities, and activities. This constantly changing schedule keeps us all on our toes, keeps us learning, and definitely keeps the job interesting."
6. Did you participate in any activities related to your professional growth during your internship?
"Every single activity that I was involved in throughout my internship was designed to help me grow in some way. Whether that be networking with people from all over the company or my projects, I was always learning and growing as a professional."
7. What projects or tasks did you work on during your internship, and which one was the most challenging or rewarding for you?
"One of my favorite projects that I worked on was running photoshoots for several of our products. Not only was this something that I had never done before, but it was also a project that I was given almost complete autonomy on. I was able to be completely in charge of my own work and it was so rewarding to see all of my hard work and vision come to life."
8. How valuable was the guidance/mentorship you received during your internship?
"Every single person you meet within this company is investing in your success. Even people outside of your own team are always eager to help and give guidance whenever needed. This supportive environment is what helped me when it came to feeling confident in my work/ideas and growing professionally."
9. How would you describe the company culture?
"The company culture at Puratos is unmatched. Everyone here is so inclusive, supportive, and inviting. On my first day, I was stopped by so many people from all over the company just to say hi and get to know me. Everyone supports each other here as well. There is not a day that goes by where I do not feel like I can reach out to anyone within the organization with a question and know that they will help."
10. What was your favorite memory from the internship?
"My favorite memory was the marketing team bonding that I went on with our whole department. Getting to know everyone more in a setting outside of the office was such an amazing opportunity. Everyone is so friendly and team bonding fosters such a close community within our team that definitely has an impact on our day to day jobs."
11. What is your favorite Puratos product/ finished good you’ve had during your time here?
"It is so hard to choose. The Puratos 20 is no joke! There have been several times where we are just sitting in a meeting and someone brings in fresh baked goods. If I really had to choose, it would totally be our brownies or our deli dulce de leche!"
