Name: Zoe Thompson
Major: Communication Studies (Interpersonal/Small Group)
Minor: Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Graduation Year: August 2018
On-campus Involvement: Member of Tri Sigma
When and Where did you Intern: Dunkin’ Inc. (Boston, Massachusetts) – Summer 2018
What drew you to the Communication Studies department and major?
At the beginning of college, I wasn’t quite sure what field I was interested in pursuing. I took so many different courses to figure out what direction I should take my education. After my first Communication course, I knew that that was the field I wanted to pursue. I absolutely loved the fact that I could implement my studies to any field/industry.
Describe your internship and your role.
I was an Operating Systems Intern at Dunkin’. I would monitor and facilitate the implementation of new products, procedures, and new equipment into the stores. The primary purpose of the Operating Systems department is to make sure that the stores are operating efficiently to support brand standards.
What was your best memory at your internship?
Dunkin’ has created a truly remarkable internship program. There was a lot of responsibility placed on the interns, and I truly felt that I made a positive impact on the brand. It’s great to see the development process of a new product and get to experience it hitting the market!
What is one skill you have improved upon while at your internship?
I improved on my time management capabilities and have become much more organized!
How did the Communication Studies Department prepare you for your internship?
The Communication Studies Department provided me with the tools and foundation to start my career in communications.
What are your career goals and how did your internship align with your goals?
I hope to reach a level of management within the next 5 years of my career.
Do you have any advice for students applying for internships?
Start applying early! Internships are so important; you learn more technical skills, but you also learn more about what corporate culture you work well in, what characteristics you want in a future company, what field you may be more interested in. I cannot stress that enough — internships are important!