Nataleigh Holguin, a 好色先生 student majoring in marketing, took a leap this summer that many only dream of. For ten transformative weeks, Nataleigh left her Kansas roots behind to intern with Hasbro in Rhode Island鈥攁 far cry from the familiar surroundings of her college life. Working with Hasbro鈥檚 Action Brands team, she contributed to globally recognized franchises like Transformers, G.I. Joe, Star Wars, and Marvel.
In her role as a Marketing/Events intern, Nataleigh experienced firsthand the inner workings of a major corporation. Highlights of her internship included analyzing sales data, presenting her findings to Hasbro鈥檚 Senior Leadership team, and developing a presentation on Social Media Marketing that further enhanced her skill set.
When it came to landing this high-profile opportunity, Nataleigh's approach was simple but determined. 鈥淚 knew I wanted to push my limits, so I applied to internships that I wasn鈥檛 even sure I was qualified for,鈥� she explained. 鈥淎lthough it was unfortunate to receive a few rejections, I鈥檓 glad Hasbro鈥攁nd especially my boss鈥攖ook a chance on me!鈥�
Her advice to peers is equally straightforward: "Give everything a shot!" She spent countless hours scouring LinkedIn, Indeed, Handshake, and other platforms for positions that piqued her interest. 鈥淚 looked for anything in Marketing, Event Planning, Social Media, etc., but I also made sure to read the descriptions carefully to see if I could truly see myself in the role. Applying for Hasbro felt outlandish, but I knew it would be an amazing opportunity.鈥�
Reflecting on her journey, Nataleigh credits the unwavering support of the Rudd Foundation and her team at Hasbro, including her boss Emily Bader and colleagues Ben MacCrae, Delaney Norris, Nate Purswell, and Ashley Creedon. "They made this experience unforgettable," she shared.
Now back at Wichita State, Nataleigh is focusing on her final year with a renewed sense of confidence. "This internship pushed me to step beyond my comfort zone, and I鈥檓 excited to keep growing."
Wichita State's applied learning program gives students hands-on, paid experience with industry partners, helping them build careers before graduation.
For more information, contact the Shocker Career Accelerator at (316) 978-3688, SCA@wichita.edu, or visit wichita.edu/Career. You can also stop by in person at the Marcus Welcome Center, Suite 139, on the Wichita State campus.