This post was written by Mallory T., Corporate Communications Intern at Reynolds’ Dayton headquarters and Communication & Media major at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

The summer before my senior year of college, I felt certain on two things: I didn’t want to spend a fifth summer selling chicken for a fast food chain, and, arguably the most significant, I hoped to find an internship that could help me grow as a young communications professional. Scrolling mindlessly through LinkedIn, I stopped on a familiar blue logo I’d seen around the Dayton area and submitted an inquiry. A few email exchanges and two interviews later, I received a job offer as an Intern on the Corporate Communications team at Reynolds’ Dayton headquarters for the summer of 2022.

My first day began with meeting a few other equally-nervous interns, but after connecting with my new team, I felt much more relaxed and buckled in for the next twelve weeks. In addition to the day’s onboarding and setup process, I joined my team’s professional development meeting, where they shared tips and tricks with one another about growing as professionals.

On Tuesday, I listened in on an internal podcast recording, a communication method used to reach associates in a more engaging manner, and watched the filming of a “Leadership Chat,” updating associates on recent news in the company. I was also invited to sit in on a presentation for KeyTrak, one of Reynolds’ ancillary companies.

In my team meeting on Wednesday, we sat down to discuss relevant communications topics, and the team welcomed my feedback, showing me that my ideas have value. Later on, one of my coworkers sat down with me to patiently explain website editing software since Reynolds gives their interns real, meaningful projects that benefit the company as a whole while providing guidance to entry-level interns.

On Thursday, I met with my mentor to discuss my goals for this summer and ensure that I get as much out of this experience as possible. I began drafting my first blog post (spoiler alert: it’s this one right here!) and learned more about a new project I’ll take on in the coming weeks. The day ended with Reynolds’ Fit Foodie Fest, and I got to experience the “work hard, play hard” attitude that helps to build high morale in the company.

At the end of the week, I met with my mentor to ensure I had a handle on upcoming projects and recap the week. In addition to my immediate work for the company, I’m enrolled in training courses on HubSpot, a digital marketing software site, to learn more about email marketing, social media, and gathering analytics. I’ve been impressed with Reynolds’ desire to see interns and associates grow not only as internal employees, but also as professionals in corporate America.

One of my biggest fears walking in was that I had zero corporate experience. I’ve held leadership positions in school and worked in food service, but I worried that few of those skills would actually translate to corporate life. However, Reynolds truly emphasizes a growth mindset, and my coworkers make it clear that every question is valid. They walk me through tasks I don’t fully understand, and they support me as I take on projects of my own. What’s more, I had the opportunity to meet several influential leaders within the first five days of my internship and have been pleasantly surprised by their friendliness and helpful attitudes.

Associates with hardworking, can-do attitudes are set up to succeed here at Reynolds. I’m challenged as a writer and marketer, and I feel equipped with the tools and resources I need to succeed when it comes to new projects. Reynolds has exceeded my expectations thus far, and I’m eager to see what Reynolds has in store for me this summer.