Summer internships provide more than professional experience - they give students the opportunity to explore career interests, build confidence, and develop skills that can't be learned in a classroom.
I interviewed four Collegiate DECA members on their recent summer internships to find out what DECA skills they were able to use, what their biggest challenges were and their tips on how you can find rewarding summer internship experiences too.
This article features:
- Kayleigh Bader (Western Washington University) – Retail Marketing Intern at Russell Investments
- Caden Boehen (University of Wisconsin–Whitewater) – Management & Sales Intern at Consolidated Electrical Distributors
- Caleb Tamon (Howard University) – Product Engineering Intern at Booz Allen Hamilton
- Isaiah Keepes (Avila University) – Social and Strategy Intern at Bernstein-Rein Advertising
Every Internship Looks Different
Here's what a day in the life looks like for each intern.
Kayleigh – Russell Investments
- Marketing projects
- Coffee chats
- Executive speaker series
- Website and email work
"I've learned so much. I was really focused on digital marketing, but it's been so many other types of marketing that I've never experienced."
Caden – Consolidated Electrical Distributors
- Rotational internship exploring every facet of the business
- Warehouse operations
- Sales and customer interaction
- Purchasing
- Operations
"Their goal is to build you up from the foundation and work your way up to understanding the entirety of the business."
Caleb – Booz Allen Hamilton
- Product engineering
- Cyber defense software
- Government products and services
- Team collaboration
"We're working on cyber defense products...it's been really cool seeing how these big government contracting companies work."
Isaiah – Bernstein-Rein Advertising
- Strategy meetings
- Networking
- Client pitches
- Creative meetings
"Advertising strategy focuses on brand positioning, persona, and purpose -that's my focus in this role."
What DECA Skill Has Been Most Valuable?
Kayleigh – Networking & Presentation Skills
"DECA has really helped me learn networking skills and just be able to talk to anybody."
Caden – Thinking on Your Feet
"Competition helped me build those people skills...you have to think on your feet. I utilize my communication skills and try to make the most of every situation."
Caleb – Problem Solving
"Breaking down the task...that's exactly what DECA competitions teach you."
Isaiah – Confidence
"Your first impression matters. Even if you're the only one in a suit on your first day, that sets you apart in a good way."
Biggest Challenge
Each member also reflected on the greatest challenge they've faced during their internship.
Kayleigh – Managing Competing Priorities
"I really just had to manage my time and be honest with my supervisor."
Caden – Learning Without Expecting Perfection
"I can't expect myself to be perfect…learning something new every day is what I value."
Caleb – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
"My biggest challenge was overcoming imposter syndrome. My background is in computer engineering, not cybersecurity, so I had to remind myself that I deserved to be there."
Isaiah – Receiving Constructive Feedback
“In advertising, almost all the feedback you receive is focused on how to improve your work. That can get you down, but it’s important to remember that your first idea isn’t always your strongest and that’s okay. Taking constructive criticism and turning it into something you’re proud of is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Most importantly, remember you’re doing a good job, even if no one is telling you every good thing you’ve done.”
Advice for Members Beginning Their Internship Search
Kayleigh
"Don't settle - keep trying to learn and grow - and meet as many people as possible. Those connections are going to take you so much further."
Caden
"Apply as early as you can. Getting yourself out there is more important than getting an internship your first year."
Caleb
"Don't be discouraged. There are so many external factors. Just keep going."
Isaiah
"Create a personal brand - it's what sets you apart. Figure out what makes you different and stand out and embrace it. Lean into your connections and stay true to yourself.”
Whether they were analyzing marketing campaigns, learning electrical distribution, developing cybersecurity products, or creating advertising strategies, each student's internship reinforced the same lesson: success comes from staying curious, asking questions, embracing challenges and continuing to learn beyond the classroom.
