6 Internships Prepares Business Senior for Career Opportunity

Marketing comes naturally to Joelle Meilink, who has spent her college career immersed in the field.

"I always knew I wanted to go into marketing," Meilink said. "I've always been a curious learner and love working with numbers. Marketing allows me to tell data-driven stories while leveraging my strategic and creative mindset."

Graduating Saturday, May 3, with a bachelor's degree in business administration in marketing and operations and supply chain management, Meilink has held six internships throughout her time at UToledo.

"I truly fell in love with the marketing field and found my niche from experiencing real-world marketing applications during my internships with Libbey and J.M. Smucker and a consumer behavior course this past year and a half," Meilink said. "I am also fascinated with the reach marketing has and how influential it can be on an individual and their choices. My inquisitive nature allows me to dig deep into consumer data and collaborate with others to help meet the company's objectives.

"This was both a great challenge at times but being in my last semester I can reflect on the past four years and say this was definitely my biggest success as well," she added. "Every experience set me up perfectly to succeed in the following one I had."

Beyond her work experience, Meilink is involved with several campus organizations: Women in Business Leadership, Levis Leadership, Presidential Ambassadors, KLAR Leadership Academy and COBI Business Student Ambassadors.

"Joelle's dedication to her academic assignments is truly evident, not only in the classroom but also in extra-curricular activities," said Dr. Marcelo J. Alvarado-Vargas, associate professor of management in the John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation. "For example, she utilizes office hours to make presentations related to my course strategic management, and the presentations are in Spanish. A good way to integrate her academic formation in business administration and languages."

She has also studied abroad in Spain to build upon her minor in Spanish.

"I took advantage of our amazing study abroad advisors early on as I knew going into college I wanted to go abroad as a part of my Spanish minor," Meilink said. "The staff was able to help me find which program best suited my needs and credits and made the process a seamless transition. This opportunity showed me different perspectives, ways of thinking and helped me obtain Spanish language fluency that I can bring into my future career. I am so grateful for the experience and the scholarships from the University that made it all possible."

Meilink said she is grateful for all that UToledo has given her.

"Marketing is an easy field to get beginner experience in with leadership opportunities in student organizations," she said. "Working in University Marketing and Communications my freshmen year also helped me figure out what marketing roles I could see myself in. Everyone here is so eager and willing to help students achieve their goals, the best thing you can do is network and take on opportunities that come your way."