Kylie-Jo Lewis, a Marketing student from Gray, ME, is putting her creativity to work as the Retail Marketing Intern for Blue Seal Feeds, Inc./Kent. “This internship has given me valuable hands-on experience that I can apply throughout my career,” she says. “I’m passionate about leadership and enjoy taking initiative on projects. Marketing allows me to combine creativity with strategic thinking. Through the Maine Business School, I’ve had opportunities to develop those skills as I prepare for a professional career.”
How did you hear about this internship?
I found this internship through Handshake. It was located in my hometown, aligned with my marketing major, and offered a great opportunity to gain professional experience while earning competitive pay, so I decided to apply.
Why did you choose to intern at Blue Seal?
I chose this internship because it aligned with my marketing position for Alpha Phi. I saw it as an opportunity to build on those skills in a professional setting and learn how marketing works in a business environment.
What are your internship tasks?
My internship involves creating marketing content, working on retail marketing initiatives, planning and managing projects, collaborating with different teams, and supporting a variety of marketing efforts. I also have the opportunity to travel, meet with professionals, and contribute to new projects.
What do you like most about your internship?
My favorite part is the freedom and flexibility to take initiative and start my own projects. I’ve also enjoyed traveling for work, including a trip to Iowa, where I met industry professionals and learned more about the business. The trust and responsibility I’ve been given have made the experience especially rewarding.
What are the biggest challenges you face as an intern?
One of the biggest challenges has been having limited guidance at times and learning how to manage periods of unstructured work. It has pushed me to become more independent, take initiative, and develop stronger time management skills.
What things are you learning during your internship that you couldn’t have learned in the classroom?
I’m learning how to communicate and collaborate with professionals in a workplace, build relationships, and work effectively as part of a team. I’ve also gained confidence in my marketing skills and learned the value of networking and professional communication in ways that can’t be fully replicated in a classroom.
How will this experience help you as you move forward in your career?
I’ve built a strong professional network, gained confidence in my abilities, and developed experiences that I can reference in future opportunities. I know I have the skills to make a meaningful contribution to a company.
Any advice to share with other students considering an internship?
Go for it. Internships are one of the best ways to grow your network, build experience, and gain confidence in your skills. Be open to trying something new—you may discover a career path that fits you even better than you expected. Every internship teaches you something valuable.
Hometown: Gray, Maine
Class: 2028
Major: Marketing
Internship Title: Blue Seal Retail Marketing Intern
