Katelyn Morel interned with One Stop Nutrition's corporate office as a social media and marketing intern where she gained knowledge of social media as a business marketing strategy.
How did you get your internship?
I secured my internship by creating a marketing and social media portfolio for my PAH 383: Pre-Internship class. After completing the project, I reached out to a family friend who is the founder of One Stop Nutrition to inquire about opportunities at their corporate office. We met to discuss my ideas for a social media and marketing role, and I presented the portfolio I had developed. She immediately connected with my vision and, impressed by my work, offered me a summer internship on the spot.
What kind of work did you do throughout your internship experience?
During my internship, I took on a variety of roles. Our company partnered with Big D Media, led by fitness influencer Demi Bagby, and held weekly meetings to review goals, upcoming content, and strategic plans. Working closely with Demi and her team, I gained valuable experience in influencer marketing, creative strategy, and tailoring campaigns for different companies. I also deepened my knowledge of product branding and marketing, contributing to the redesign of menus and product artwork. Additionally, I created a presentation for the marketing team highlighting visually compelling brands and creative concepts to inspire our own campaigns. I had the opportunity to observe the full process of a new product collaboration launch, including our Ghirardelli protein powder and Ghirardelli protein cookies.
What was the most satisfying part of your internship?
The most satisfying part of my internship was, without a doubt, getting hands-on experience working within a business. I gained skills in marketing strategy, social media management, branding, and creative content development. I learned how to collaborate effectively with a professional media team, manage timelines, and adapt ideas to align with a company’s brand identity. I also developed an eye for design through projects like menu and product artwork redesigns, and I strengthened my presentation skills by pitching creative concepts to the marketing team. Beyond the technical skills, I built confidence in my ability to contribute meaningfully to real-world business operations, which made the experience incredibly rewarding
What did you find most challenging about your internship and what did you learn from it?
The most challenging part of my internship was learning and adapting to other people or product’s unique marketing and aesthetic style. It required me to pay close attention to her creative preferences, brand vision, and overall tone, then adjust my own ideas to align seamlessly with my site supervisor’s expectations. While it was a challenge at first, it ultimately taught me the value of flexibility, active listening, and the importance of maintaining a consistent brand identity.
How has your internship experience influenced your plans for your future?
This internship truly helped me discover my love and passion for marketing and social media. Through my projects and collaborations, I realized how much I enjoy the creative process, from developing strategies and designing visuals to seeing campaigns come to life. The experience gave me a deeper understanding of how impactful strong branding and storytelling can be in connecting with an audience. It also inspired me to think long-term. I can now envision myself eventually opening my own marketing company, where I can bring brands’ visions to life and help them grow through innovative campaigns and creative strategy.
What do you feel was the most significant contribution you made in your time as an intern?
The most significant contribution I made was creating and delivering a marketing presentation for my supervisor. In it, I outlined strategies for promoting our franchising options, strengthening our brand and values, and positioning our products to feel more exclusive while appealing to a broad demographic. I also introduced fresh, Gen Z–focused marketing approaches, offering ideas and examples that could modernize our outreach and better connect with younger audiences. This presentation not only showcased my research and creativity but also provided my supervisor with actionable strategies to elevate the brand.