Cole Kaplan interned with Global Shade Corporation and gained experience in data analysis, reporting, and e-commerce performance evaluation.
Why did you choose this internship?
I chose this internship because I wanted to gain experience in a business setting where I could work with real data and see how decisions are made. I was especially interested in how large e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Home Depot, and Walmart can influence a company’s strategy to sell various products. This role allowed me to build technical skills in Excel and data analysis while also using communication and critical thinking, which are big parts of being an Applied Humanities student. I also enjoyed that I was working on real projects that affected the company and not just doing repetitive tasks. This role offered a good balance between personal growth and gaining practical business experience.
What kind of work did you do throughout your internship experience?
Throughout my internship, I worked heavily with sales and return reports from multiple e- commerce platforms such as Amazon, Wayfair, Shopify, Home Depot, and Walmart. My tasks included creating Excel spreadsheet summaries, analyzing year-to-year and month-to-month trends, and creating PowerPoint presentations to communicate my findings to my supervisor. A large portion of my work focused on identifying which products were selling well, which were declining, and which were being returned frequently and why. In addition, I learned about customer service operations and how the company handles replacements and refunds when issues occur. These tasks and projects helped me understand how data can influence business decisions as well as I learned the importance of accountability.
What new knowledge and skills did you develop?
During my internship, I developed strong skills in data analysis, presenting information clearly through PowerPoint, and Excel reporting. I also learned how to compare sales performance across the various e-commerce platforms the company uses. Aside from technical skills, I improved my communication by working closely with my supervisor and other co-workers to discuss project results. I also gained experience understanding customer behavior through return reports and reviews which showed me how customer experience and product quality can directly affect a business’s performance.
What did you find challenging about your internship?
One of the most challenging parts of my internship was analyzing the furniture product data because each product had multiple components built into it. There were over 100 different variations of furniture, and each represented a different combination of parts which made organizing and interpreting the data difficult at first. I felt that it was time consuming and frustrating, especially since I had to triple check my work constantly. However, I learned to stay patient and created a system where organizing complex information felt easier to manage. This specific experience taught me that difficult tasks can often lead to the most growth as well as I learned how to be more patient.
What was the most significant contribution you made?
My most significant contribution was analyzing Amazon sales and return data to identify which products were most profitable and which were losing money due to high return rates and advertising costs. I summarized all my findings into a presentation that my supervisor could use for future planning and decision making for the following year. I also compared customer reviews with the return trends to identify any quality or expectation issues with the products. Knowing that my analysis could influence future product strategies and advertising decisions made my work feel meaningful and showed me that I could contribute value even as an intern.
What is the impact of your internship experience?
This internship helped me realize that I can learn quickly, adapt, and contribute to a professional business environment. I believe it strengthened my confidence in working independently and solving problems. I also realized that I need to be better at speaking up and sharing what I’m working on, since I am naturally a quiet person. The experience itself made everything I’ve learned in school feel more real and useful.
What advice do you have for other students who are looking for internships or for when they start their internship?
My advice would be to always have an open mind when looking for an opportunity, even if it’s not exactly what you wanted because the main thing that will help you in life is getting experience. You can learn a lot from any experience and it’s important to try out new things to see exactly what you like and don’t like. Once you start anything, don’t be afraid to ask questions or mess up because that is a part of life and learning. Take your internship or job seriously because what you put in is what you will get out of it and it will help you grow as an individual. I was told that nothing is guaranteed in life so you should always try to perform at a high level and constantly try to prove yourself in anything you do.