- Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed.
My STEP Signature Project entailed a summer in Seattle, Washington for an internship with Abbott Nutrition. I held the position of Consumer Sales Intern and completed a summer-long project that culminated in a final presentation after the 12 weeks. My project topic was to create a sales strategy for Pedialyte in one of our retailers.
- What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.
One of my biggest accomplishments from this summer was gaining more independence. I was an independent person before this project but traveling across the country for a summer really put those assumptions to the test. From the start, I embraced every moment I spent in Seattle. I quickly jumped into my tasks at work, always asking questions and exceeding my managers’ expectations. Outside of work, I created a friendship with the other intern as we navigated a new city on our own. Some days, I took the leap of faith to explore new areas of the city on my own. The spontaneity and freedom felt empowering as I walked foreign streets, tried new restaurants, and checked out new shops. This summer was proof to myself that I have the confidence and skills to navigate a new job and a new city on my own! It makes me more hopeful for post grad as I hopefully move to Chicago.
- What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation.
The three main experiences I can attribute my personal growth were my coworkers, my sales project, and the nature that Seattle has to offer. To start, the most important aspect of my summer journey were my coworkers: my manager, my mentors, and Kendall, my fellow intern. I has the opportunity to work with amazing people who supported my professional and personal growth. They challenged me, believed in me, and pushed me to create an exceptional final presentation that I was proud of. Outside of the office, my coworkers exposed me to new parts of city, from hiking, to restaurants, to kayaking, and beyond. I would not have been able to see so much of the city if it weren’t for their recommendations and excitement.
The second impactful aspect of the summer was my summer project. The sales role I held was unique as it was something I’d never done before. Further, I’d never had experience in a corporate setting either. Both of these aspects made the transition in to the office somewhat difficult. I was forced to learn a lot about the organizational structure, the culture, and the analytics behind retail. With the proper training and guidance, by the end of the summer, I was able to manipulate raw data to pull insights for my presentation. I knew the Pedialyte brand like the back of my hand and felt confident when I spoke to senior leaders about my work. Finally, I was able to journey out of my comfort zone and practice my presentation skills weekly to my entire team.
Lastly, the most unexpected component to my personal transformation was the nature in Seattle. I found myself in the outdoors almost every day, whether it was a walk in my neighborhood or a hike at Mt. Rainier. I found a passion for the outdoors this summer and it’s something I plan to continue exploring in the future. It was a sanctuary for me when I was stressed or lonely and made me realize how truly beautiful a home can be. The nature is something I still miss as I return to Ohio but will be the reason I travel back to the state of Washington!
- Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans
This personal transformation of gaining independence was crucial for me. As I finish my senior year and enter post-grad life, I feel now that I have the necessary confidence and skills to move to a new city and start a new job. I better understand who I am and what I value, and I will continue to prioritize those things in the years to come. When I do leave Ohio State, I will remember this experience in Seattle as a highlight in my personal and professional life. I learned more than I ever could have expected and am excited to use this knowledge in future endeavors.