This summer was one of the most valuable learning experiences I’ve ever had. For the first month, I had the opportunity to participate in a business internship through Wabash College. It was an eye-opening experience where I was able to expand my networking and connect with Wabash alumni, hear their career stories, and learn the many different paths that a business degree can open up. Having those conversations showed me not only what success looks like but also the challenges people faced along the way and how they overcame them.
Throughout the internship, we visited a wide range of businesses. Some of the most memorable stops included startups, Lilly Medical Company, and other established organizations. At each place, I learned something new that can help me through my journey. Also, from each place or alumina, we learned how to start a business, what it takes to successfully sell one, and even the steps involved in buying one. These visits gave me a much broader understanding of how the business world really works outside of the classroom.
This summer also showed how my Clifton Strengths connect to my goals. My Positivity kept me while Communication and Woo helped me build strong relationships with alumni, clients, and teammates. As an Activator, I was quick to put ideas into action, and my Competition pushed me to keep improving. Together, these strengths align with my business minor and long-term entrepreneurial goals, giving me the tools to lead and grow in any career path I choose.
One of the highlights of the internship came at the end when my group—Ryan, Quinn, Brady, and I—worked together to create a business pitch. Our idea was called Bar Radar, a concept designed to help people find the best bars based on their preferences in real time. Developing the pitch pushed us to think creatively, consider our target audience, and present an idea in a professional way. It was a fun challenge that tied together everything we had been learning.
After the internship ended, I shifted my focus back to my own entrepreneurial journey: growing my window-cleaning business. With the skills and confidence, I gained from the internship, I approached the business with fresh ideas. I worked on finding new clients, improving my services, and building a plan for expansion next year. Running my own business has been a hands-on crash course in marketing, customer service, and leadership—all lessons that reinforced what I learned during the internship.
Looking back, this summer was the perfect balance of structured learning and real-world application. I had the chance to learn from successful professionals while also applying those lessons directly to my own business. I’m excited to keep building on this foundation as I continue to grow as an entrepreneur.
