Andersen Corporation’s Post

At the start of the summer we welcomed a Marketing intern to the Paragon People team to help provide insight into work trends and issues affecting the younger generation of employees. This article takes a particular look at the changes we can expect from Gen Alpha entering the workforce in larger numbers and has been prepared by our intern based on their own reflections and experiences. Take a look ⬇

Fond memories triggered by all these National Intern Day posts! Looking back on my intern days (over 20 years ago, eek), I am so grateful for the experiences I had with two different companies/organizations, both still going strong today. 👏 Shout out to the folks at the Wisconsin Innovation Service Center at UWW for giving students amazing, real-world experiences in research, product development and go-to-market strategy! 👏 And another shout out to Palmer Hamilton (formerly Palmer Synder Furniture) for enabling me all those years ago to digitize their contract records, and create a database with renewal alerts - all before I even knew what a CRM system was! To see how much the company has changed in 20 years is a great example of adaptation and strategy at work! Each of those experiences helped me build a foundation for skills I still use today and gave me exposure to the types of work I love. And when I had interns on my team, those experiences shaped my style of leadership - to give them real, challenging projects (and feedback), to provide exposure to other professionals and leaders, and to give as much business context for what they were doing as possible. And most importantly - to give them room to share ideas and to actually listen to them! Get after it interns, you'll do great things!

10 Years Ago: The Summer That Changed Everything I still remember this view like it was yesterday. The New Yorker Hotel, standing tall and bright, was my home for an entire summer during my junior year of college. I was in New York City, the place where dreams are made, with an internship at IPG Mediabrands. From the outside, it seemed like I was living the dream—NYC, a hotel stay, and a foot in the door at a major company. Friends and family thought I was on top of the world. But what they didn’t see was the reality behind the glossy exterior. I was broke, depressed, and completely lost. The city that never sleeps was also the city that never stopped reminding me of how far I still had to go. That summer, I learned how to stretch a dollar, how to navigate the grid, and most importantly, how to keep pushing forward even when it felt like the world was against me. Key Lessons Learned: 1. Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable: Growth happens when we step outside our comfort zones. That summer, I learned that embracing the unfamiliar is the first step toward becoming who you’re meant to be. 2. Try Something New: Don’t be afraid to take risks. Trying new things opens up opportunities you never imagined. That internship, even with all its challenges, was a door to great mentors! A special thank you to Sonia Riojas for simply existing - you were the first Latina I saw leading, advocating, and supporting your team and ideas. 3. Resilience is Everything: Life will knock you down, but what matters is how you get back up. That summer taught me the true meaning of resilience—an invaluable skill I carry with me to this day. Fast forward to today, and I look back at that summer not with regret, but with gratitude. That challenging time was what shaped who I am now—a marketing executive with a passion for empowering others, and a clear vision for my future. It was in those moments of doubt and struggle that I discovered my resilience and determination to succeed. The New Yorker Hotel isn’t just a building to me; it’s a symbol of how far I’ve come. So, to anyone out there who feels lost or overwhelmed—take it one day at a time. Clarity comes with consistency and purpose with persistence. #CareerJourney #CareerGrowth

Walmart- How we Intern. As I reach the half-way point in this amazing internship at Walmart, The Fortune 1 company and Number 1 retailer in the World. I look back on the incredible learning opportunities that I have had, and draw valuable lessons for my career, both now in school at the University of Arkansas WCOB, and in the future. Leading Globally, Learning locally Walmart is a truly massive organization, with over five thousand stores in the United States, operating in nineteen countries around the world, being led by over two million employees. The scale of Walmart is mind-blowing, and daunting when you first come into the organization. However, the small-town feel of Bentonville extends into the corporate culture. Every person in every team that I have met have been helpful, encouraging, and hospitable. The atmosphere of Walmart breeds collaboration, innovation, and best-in-class customer service. We have small teams who collaborate across the business to find innovative ways to serve the customer across all sales channels. “We are a people-led, tech-empowered, Omni-channel retailer, dedicated to helping people save money, and live better.” Working in a Cross-functional team In classes at the Walton college of business, we are taught that cross-functional teams are crucial to the success of a modern, dynamic, innovative business. There is no better example than the Merchandising Operations teams at Walmart. As Merch Ops people, our job is to bridge the river between the Finance teams and the Merchant Teams, supporting both functions with accurate inventory planning, financial forecasting, and analyzing the business in depth. We do this by leveraging the data analytics tools created by in-house teams, which allow us to support many different areas of the business. Serving the Customer “There is one boss: the Customer, and he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down. Simply by spending his money somewhere else.” – Sam Walton While we support functions all across the massive scope of the business, we all united by one common goal, serving the customer. It is the foundation of everything we do at Walmart. Every movement that is done in the business is guided by the principle of “The customer is number one, always”. From day one of starting in the organization, it is evident that the “customer-first” mindset is key to running a high-tech, people-led Omni-channel retailer”. Everyone in the organization, from enterprise leadership to store associates is wholly bought-in to the customer-first Mindset. Leading in business with the mission of serving the customer is just one of the many reasons why I love working at Walmart. #WaltonSupplychain #SupplyChainU J.B. Hunt Transport Department of Supply Chain Management at the University of Arkansas

Understanding sales isn't just a skill, it is the cornerstone of every business’ growth. Witness our Summer Trainees delving deep into the intricacies of our on-ground sales processes, the heartbeat of our business. #EmergingLeadersPlus #SummerInternship2024 #ForBetter

👩🏽💻🧠🦈It’s officially been 1 year since my internship last year and 9 months since joining Kroger full-time. It’s been such an exciting past year on the professional development side. The corporate world is such a different environment, but I have loved the hustle and collaboration that comes with it. I feel like I have learned so much in the short time I’ve been here, and I’m so excited to see what the next year brings. I’ve really been able to apply my experiences and perspectives to things, and it’s been so fun to see my ideas come to life. Here are three things I've learned along the way: ✨If you’re going to fail, fail with your best foot forward. Fail quickly and pivot promptly. In the world of retail, you follow numbers and trends. Ideas and strategies change, and once you learn to be flexible, that’s when rejection becomes redirection. (Thanks to my boss for his current patience on this one✅.) ✨You don’t know what you don’t know, so ask the question. If you're nervous to ask, write it down, send an email, or direct message someone who may know the answer. It’s one thing to admit you don’t know something; it’s another not to ask or search for the answer and try to contribute meaningful solutions. ✨Lastly (it wouldn’t be a post by me if I didn’t include it), have good vibes. Negativity can be felt by everyone. Not every day is going to go exactly how you want. You can’t control the economy or consumer behaviors, but you can control how you react, communicate, and respond to things. So leave rooms and conversations with a positive attitude. (In gen z terms try to have positive aura😂) What are some of your favorite pieces of advice? #genzincorporate #genzatkroger #assistantbuyer #postiveaurapoints

CHICAGO

As I complete my 10th week of my Global People Internship at Walmart, I am grateful to have had abundant opportunities and incredible experiences. One of my most impactful experiences was a tour of Walmart Store 5260 that I embarked on with my fellow Global People Interns. This tour not only broadened my understanding of my project but also offered several key takeaways: 1. The importance of inclusion Did you know Walmart offers a sensory friendly environment during the hours of 8 AM to 10 AM in all Walmart U.S. and Puerto Rico store locations? This is to provide an optimal experience for all customers, regardless of their needs. This is just one of the many displays of “service to the customer” I witnessed while touring Store 5260. 2. The power of associate ownership Walmart is actively involved in giving back to communities, and I got to discover how Store 5260 encourages their associates to take ownership of fundraising initiatives. Store 5260 decided to take on the challenge of raising money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in many creative ways, such as selling snacks and t-shirts next to the breakroom. It was such a unique way to learn about how associates can play a direct role in supporting their community. 3. The value of growth opportunities The leadership board stood out to me on the tour. The board has associates' faces on the wall to display the store hierarchy, helping to put names to faces, and showing associates what their next growth opportunity at Walmart might be. What was most impactful about the board was when Store Manager, Carlie Dodge highlighted that almost every person in a leadership role on that board had been recently promoted, and that the leadership team reflects the diverse community they serve. This is a great example of how associates can see leadership from people who look like them and recognize potential roles they can grow into, all while encouraging associates to “strive for excellence.” Of course, a special shout-out to Matt Meyers, Ph.D. for putting this internship experience together, and Cody Katzer for giving insight into the customer and associate experience. Witnessing these initiatives firsthand has truly reinforced my admiration for Walmart’s commitment to inclusivity and community support.

It’s #NationalInternWeek and we’re shining the spotlight on our amazing interns. Check out this testimonial from former Product Management Intern, Erin Heidrick, MBA Heidrick as she reflects on her experience as an intern and transitioning to a permanent role with McKesson. If you're interested in being a part of #TeamMcKesson, visit bit.ly/McKTP3 to learn more about the program and the opportunities available. #LifeAtMcKesson #McKessonInterns #EarlyCareers

Do you ever note the brand of a semi-truck trailer on the interstate? After spending an incredible summer as a finance intern at Wabash, I can't help but look for their products while driving on the road. Throughout my 12-week role, three experiences greatly shaped my internship. 1. The strength of supportiveness: Whether it was the company speak or the unique challenges of the transportation industry, my first few weeks were an overwhelming flow of information. While I did my best to intake as much as possible, my adaption to the company was only possible due to the support of my manager, Nisar Ahmed, and mentor Payton Duncan. Working with them taught me the value of asking questions, no matter how simple. Without this, I would've missed out on the invaluable mentorship I was fortunate to experience this summer. 2. The depth of diversity: Organizations are often segmented, making it difficult to collaborate with other disciplines. Fortunately, Wabash's culture placed a huge emphasis on cross-functionality. Over the summer, I had the unique privilege to conduct over 51 one-on-one meetings with professionals ranging from financial analysts to VPs of manufacturing. Wabash's emphasis on creating remarkable, collaborative teams allowed me to gain invaluable advice whether it was on my projects or my professional future. Working in this environment drove home the value of diverse backgrounds and a cross-functional culture. 3. The power of presentation: One of the primary challenges I faced this summer was telling the story behind my work. When presenting data, I would focus on the results, without diving into the underlying factors and giving a comprehensive overview. Throughout the summer, my manager gave up many hours to teach me how to present information effectively and create a compelling story behind the data I gathered. I'm truly grateful for this lesson, as I experienced firsthand the power an impactful, polished story has on your audience. This summer built me in ways I would've never imagined. Whether it was learning the business with my team, volunteering with my fellow interns, or attending lunch and learns with senior executives, my rich internship experience wouldn't have been possible without the incredible people at Wabash who poured into me. I want to give a huge thanks to Kyle Richmann, Laura Killian, and Hannah Mummert for creating this incredible program. Next time you pass a semi-truck on the road, look out for the Wabash logo!