This school year, I wanted to make greater leaps in my chosen field of study. As I’ve already pursued quite a few marketing opportunities, it was about time I stepped up and sought out some in the logistics realm. I discovered a Fisher student organization called The Logistics Association. After attending the first few meetings, they announced they would be hosting The Logistics Association Career Fair. As I wanted to obtain another internship for this upcoming summer, I decided to attend.

The first company I spoke to at the career fair made it abundantly clear that they had a no sophomores hiring policy. Muttering my understanding and thanks after a long conversation discussing my skills and resume, I shook their hands and walked away with the promise of keeping in touch until next fall. Little did I know that this disappointing conversation would turn into an amazing opportunity for me. The day after the career fair, I received a phone call from one of the guys I spoke to from the first company. He told me that they were conducting interviews on campus in a couple weeks and that they were so impressed with me that they wanted to give me a mock interview so I could practice with their company. Eager to build my relationships with the company, I hung up and went to work on researching the company. In a few weeks, I was invited to a networking dinner with the company and was the youngest student in attendance. I was also informed that they would be giving me an actual interview. Sticking to their no sophomore protocol, I did not receive an offer. However, I received numerous professional experiences and a mentor from the company. My mentor and I talk on the phone every few weeks and go over my resume, recent professional, philanthropic, and leadership experience, and any new skills I should pursue in order to make an even better impression with the company in the fall.

Aside from that first company, I met with multitudes of others and received several next-day interview offers at the career fair. After little sleep, extensive company research, and hours of interview preparation, I put on my suit and went to try and get some offers. And offers I got! I accepted an offer shortly after those interviews with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for Summer 2020. I will be working as a Supply Chain intern at their Global Headquarters and continuing to further my logistics experience with a Fortune 500 company.

Later in the semester, The Logistics Association also embarked on a tour of the DSW Distribution Center in Columbus. Several of us headed out to see the facilities and learn a little bit more about what goes on behind the scenes of some of the world’s largest retail stores. It was a very impactful experience that helped reinforce my passion for the industry I am going into.

All of these amazing experiences aside, The Logistics Association has given me the opportunity to learn about, speak with, and network with dozens of companies. It has also allowed me to grow both personally and professionally through our weekly meeting and sporadic development events. Joining The Logistics Association has been a great learning experience and has already helped to shape my sophomore year.

“It’s okay, no freshmen get internships”.  That sentence has been said to me countless times over the course of my first year at Ohio State.  Despite my numerous attempts at furthering my professional career, I kept being shut down.  I have attended career fairs to network with people only to get my elevator pitch interrupted with them saying to come back when I am older.  As someone who strives to work hard in order to meet my goals, this did not satisfy me.

My second semester at Ohio State, I rushed a business frat for the second time.  I worked really hard to try and get in and it seemed to be going well.  Unfortunately, after the interview, I discovered that I was again not accepted.  It seemed as though I was just going to need to wait until next year to begin my professional journey, no matter how frustrated that made me.

When the odds seemed to be against me, however, I had the opportunity to network with a businessman at The Association for the Business of Sports.  He gave me insight on doing what I could to seek out opportunities in my major.  After talking with him, I set out to applying for several more internships and summer positions.  A couple days later, I received an email that I was selected for an interview with a company for a summer internship.  The interview went really well and afterwards, I was offered the position.

Through my setbacks, I grew a lot and learned a lot about perseverance.  This year taught me a lot and I’ve gained invaluable lessons on not accepting the “norm” as my reality.  In accepting my internship, I realized that I can achieve things that aren’t generally attainable for college freshmen.  All in all, I’m very thankful for all that this year has taught me.  I’m also immensely excited to begin my internship and learn more about the company in my endeavors.

 My residence hall put on an event called Diversity Cookies.  Residents were encouraged to come decorate a cookie whilst sharing fun facts about yourself and getting to know other residents better.  The experience was really interesting and I learned a lot about my peers, their cultures, their past times, and even their diets.  I think it really aided in my journey as a learner by reminding me not to have preconceived notions of people before I get to know them.  I think as leaders at Ohio State, we all need to carry that wisdom with us.  Every person we meet knows something that we do not and we all need to work together to succeed.  Even if that success is something as small as a finished cookie.