Giselle Pereya interned at Peoria Unified School District to develop her marketing, collaboration, and financial analysis skills in hope of launching her own entrepreneurial project.
How did you get your internship and why did you choose it?
I actually got this internship through my current work supervisor, Sandra. She helped me land this position and made sure it was something that would really benefit me because she wanted to help me and knew I was struggling to find an internship that felt like a good fit. She was able to create an internship for me that was tailored to match my interests and goals, which made the whole experience feel like a perfect fit for me.
This internship aligned with my passion for the food and beverage business industry. I’ve always wanted to own my own business and I thought this internship would give me the perfect chance to learn about marketing, food service operations, and all the little things you need to know when running a business.
What kind of work did you do throughout your internship experience?
I worked on a ton of cool projects! One of my first tasks was designing a snack bar menu for my old high school, which felt really special. Later, I helped with a marketing project for a new coffee and cookies combo at the school, making flyers and planning how to announce it. I also got to test the products with students, which was fun (even though I was super nervous at first). Towards the end of my internship, I worked on a big entrepreneurial project where I planned out everything I’d need to start my own matcha food truck, from the menu to hiring employees.
What is unique about your situation that influenced your internship experience?
I think the biggest thing that made this internship unique for me was that I had a special connection with Sandra. She had known me since I was 6 years old when my mom was interviewed for a position in my high school’s cafeteria kitchen. Also, it felt so personal. Not only was I designing a menu for my old high school, but I was also able to connect my passion for matcha with the work I was doing. The environment was super supportive, which helped me push through moments of social anxiety, especially when I had to pitch products to students. It was so cool to see people I knew personally supporting my work.
What new knowledge and skills did you learn in this internship?
I definitely learned a lot about marketing and market research, especially how to get people excited about new products. I also learned how important it is to be mindful of customer needs, with specific attention to things like food allergies when working in the food and beverage industry. Managing human resources issues and team dynamics was also new for me. Dealing with different personalities and learning how to make a team work well together was a big takeaway. On top of that, I got a start in learning financial analysis, which really improved my ability to think critically and manage resources.
How was the internship related to your Applied Humanities degree?
My internship connected with my Applied Humanities degree because it combined creativity and communication in a setting where I got to engage with my community. I got to use my skills in communication to effectively manage people and bring our ideas to life. It was a great way to see how the things we learned about interpersonal and intercultural communication play out in real-world situations.
How has your internship experience influenced your plans for your future?
This internship has honestly been a game-changer. It made me even more excited about the idea of starting my own matcha business. I got a real look at what it takes to run a food business, from marketing to finances, and I feel way more confident that I can actually make it happen. I’m definitely moving forward with this idea after I finish college, and this experience has helped me set clear steps for how to get there.
I also would like to share two of my biggest projects because these two projects are the ones that made me so proud of myself and I also had so much fun with both of them.