Marketing Student Makes Most of Full-Time Summer Internship with The Andersons
October 15, 2024 | News, John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation
By John Anderson III
Gone are the days of internships as they are portrayed in Hollywood films—as coffee-fetchers
and errand-runners.
Internships in 2024 offer students meaningful opportunities to explore their passions,
develop new skills and make a real impact on the organization.
For business students at The University of Toledo’s John B. and Lillian E. Neff College
of Business and Innovation, internships are also a chance to step into a full-time
role and gain first-hand experience in their chosen field.
Samantha Turner, a marketing major at UToledo, exemplified this during her summer
internship with The Andersons in Maumee, Ohio.
Far from the stereotypical intern experience, Samantha led critical projects and collaborated
across departments, directly contributing to the company’s success.
Her role as a Corporate Communication intern involved spearheading the development
of a new recognition section for the company’s homepage, creating promotional materials
for social media and supporting a major management system rollout.
Samantha credits the foundational skills she gained in her marketing classes for helping
her excel in a fast-paced corporate environment.
“My coursework at UToledo was essential in preparing me for this role,” Samantha shared.
“Classes on branding and design helped me when developing promotional materials, and
the critical thinking skills I learned gave me the confidence to tackle complex tasks.”
The highlight of Samantha’s summer was seeing her homepage project go live—a moment
she described as the most rewarding aspect of her internship.
“Watching something I worked on for months come to life was incredibly fulfilling.
It was a clear demonstration of how my efforts directly impacted the company’s digital
presence,” she said.
The experience solidified her ability to manage large-scale projects and gave her
confidence in her future career.
Beyond the technical skills, Samantha learned how to navigate corporate life—managing
diverse responsibilities, collaborating across teams and adapting to ever-changing
priorities.
These invaluable lessons have prepared her for the challenges she’ll face as she pursues
a marketing career after graduation in 2025.
As for her advice to fellow students seeking internships, Samantha encourages them
to be proactive and embrace every opportunity.
“Internships are the perfect training ground to gain real-world experience,” she emphasized.
“Take initiative, ask questions and don’t be afraid to use the resources available
on campus.”
Samantha Turner’s internship experience showcases how UToledo students are empowered
to take on significant projects that drive results—preparing them to excel in their
careers long before they graduate.
With experiences like these, students aren’t just learning—they’re leading.
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