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Internships are a key component of the Distinctly Harbert education, giving students opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to meaningful projects, build professional skills and gain experience that can set them apart in a competitive job market.
Recent data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reinforces that value: Among Class of 2026 graduates who applied for jobs, 55% of those who completed a paid internship received at least one job offer. Paid interns who received offers also reported an average starting salary of $69,521, compared with $61,747 overall.
“Internships are one of the most powerful ways our students can prepare for what comes next. At Harbert, we see students return from these experiences with greater confidence, stronger professional skills and a clearer sense of where they want to take their careers. Just as important, they build relationships and networks that continue opening doors long after the internship ends.”
Mandy Devereux, executive director of career and employer initiatives in Harbert College
This past summer, Harbert students interned locally, across the state of Alabama, across the US and internationally. The seven featured here worked for organizations in the retail, consumer package goods, financial services, automotive, construction and state government sectors. They return to classes this fall with a newfound sense of what it means to be career ready.
Kelei Atkinson, consumer product technology intern at Regions Bank in Birmingham, AL
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Kelei Atkinson, information systems management senior |
About the internship
Working with fellow intern and Harbert senior Braedan Brewis, Kelei Atkinson created Splunk dashboards for Regions Consumer Product Technology managers, giving them the ability to track both server-side and business-insight metrics, such as CPU utilization, memory consumption, transactions per hour and portal payments. “I have to give a huge thanks to the Harbert College of Business for aiding me in securing this internship,” said Atkinson, who learned of the opportunity at Regions Day held at Harbert last fall.
From classroom to real world
Atkinson was part of a five-member intern team that competed in the Regions Bank annual AWS hackathon, where teams used AI tools to create beneficial applications that improve employee workflows or customer experiences. Their solution, which earned second place, helped deliver more relevant, targeted bank promotions to consumers. “My SQL database class helped me understand how we were going to set the requirements to house the data, such as which tables would link to another, helping us keep our data clean and properly stored.”
Advancing my career goals
“This internship gave me the real-world experience I was hoping for — gaining new technical and social/soft skills that are needed in today’s workforce. It also solidified my interest in pursuing a career in technology.” After he graduates in December, Atkinson expressed an interest in Regions’ analyst program, where new employees do rotations in areas such as cybersecurity, software engineering and ATM monitoring.
Advice for younger Harbert students
“Get involved! Go to Lunch & Learns, employers' days, sit down talks, and many more events that Harbert offers…The things you learn in them about jobs, companies and careers are some of the best knowledge you will get in your time at Auburn. Create real meaningful connections with classmates and peers. The people around you can help shape your life in so many ways.”
Trent DeBow, special projects intern at RaceTrac in Atlanta
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Trent DeBow, finance senior |
About the internship
Trent DeBow supported a large-scale human capital management (HCM) integration project related to RaceTrac’s acquisition of Potbelly, integrating Potbelly employees and HR data into RaceTrac’s Workday platform. The project spanned 12+ cross-functional teams and he documented key decisions, tracked action items and followed up on 40+ overdue Risks, Assumptions, Issues, and Dependencies (RAID) items across project workstreams. He also led project management for an intern business initiative, developing the project schedule and budget and performing financial forecasting to evaluate concepts and support final recommendations.
“I am incredibly grateful to both the Harbert College of Business for the preparation and to the team at RaceTrac for trusting me with real, impactful work.”
From classroom to real world
“The Harbert College of Business really helped develop my overall business acumen, which was essential for the financial forecasting and data analysis [I performed using] Excel and Smartsheet.” Since Smartsheet operates similarly to Excel, I was incredibly glad I earned my Excel expert certification at Auburn. The emphasis Harbert places on collaborative group work and professional communication translated directly into my ability to coordinate across multiple cross functional teams and present actionable recommendations to stakeholders.”
Advancing my career goals
“Although this internship was not directly finance related, I did not have a perfectly planned out career path coming into it. This experience truly opened my eyes to project management, which is a field I likely would not have considered otherwise. Being trusted to lead a business initiative from scheduling and budgeting all the way to final recommendations provided me with the exact real world strategic experience I need to accelerate my career.”
Advice for younger Harbert students
“Apply, apply, apply. I applied to over 60 internships, which was more than most, but it not only gave me great interview experience. It also helped me build relationships and learn about other companies. Do not be afraid, especially in business, to take an opportunity even if it is not exactly aligned with your major.”
Ashton Fulcher, project management intern at Brasfield & Gorrie in Atlanta metro area
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Ashton Fulcher, supply chain management senior |
About the internship
Working with the project management team, Ashton Fulcher gained hands-on experience with both the management and field sides of construction. He helped coordinate subcontractors, tracked project documents and questions, reviewed drawings and specifications and supported day-to-day operations. Spending time in the field also allowed him to see how the planning and decisions made by the project team translated into the work being completed on the Brasfield & Gorrie site.
“One of the biggest learning experiences for me was seeing how decisions in the field affect schedule, cost, procurement and other trades. I also spent a significant amount of time in the field, which allowed me to see the work being installed and then connect it back to the drawings, contracts and coordination happening on the project management side.”
From classroom to real world
According to Fulcher, his supply chain management courses translated well to construction. “A construction project is essentially a massive supply chain, with materials, subcontractors, equipment, schedules, budgets and information all needing to come together at the right time. Harbert has also helped develop my communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, which I used every day on the job.”
Advancing my career goals
In the long run, Fulcher aims to build a career in the construction industry and eventually take on greater leadership and business responsibilities. “I like working through the planning and management side of a project, but I also really enjoy being in the field, talking with the people performing the work, and seeing tangible progress every day. The internship reinforced that I want a career where I can combine business, leadership and problem-solving with something physical that I can actually see being built. I...learned from experienced project managers and superintendents while seeing firsthand how a successful contractor manages safety, quality, schedule, cost, subcontractors and client relationships.”
Advice for younger Harbert students
Fulcher encourages first- and second-year students to pursue internships sooner rather than later by talking to recruiters, professors, alumni and anyone working in an industry that interests them. “Look for an opportunity where you will be challenged, given real responsibility and surrounded by people you can learn from.”
Heaven Harper, supply chain co-op at American Honda Motor Co. in Lincoln, AL
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Heaven Harper, supply chain management senior |
About the co-op
During her six-month co-op in the delivery department at Honda, Heaven Harper has learned all facets of operations as part of a buyer training program. She built two time-to-process Power BI dashboards that allow buyers to know exactly when a part is needed for the assembly line, which helps prevent line shutdowns. “As a buyer, I am a mediator between the automated system and the irregularities present in the real world that digitization alone cannot manage…[proving] the value of human decision-making.”
From classroom to real world
Harper said she has used knowledge from supply chain courses (SCMN 3730 and 3740) taught by David Strickland and Rick Varacalle while at Honda — citing topics such as master production scheduling, inventory and capacity planning, network design and supplier relationships. “To see textbook scenarios manifest in the real world…is such a cool thing to witness.”
Advancing my career goals
When she graduates in May, Harper plans to join the military with the goal of becoming a Naval supply chain officer. “Being able to see the inner workings of a [global] supply chain and being given the responsibility of an actual buyer so soon, for cars which consist of thousands of parts, feels like prep work for when I must manage thousands of goods and shipments around the world. Honda has broadened my scope, and I am so honored to be entrusted with such responsibility so soon.”
Advice for younger Harbert students
Harper changed majors before settling on supply chain management, entering the major as a junior without having any previous experience with the field. “It was very intimidating.” Undeterred, she sought and took advice and immersed herself in her studies, gaining confidence and a strong academic record along the way, which ultimately led to the Honda co-op. She encourages other students to “channel your fear into something productive and aspire to be fearless. It’s important to believe in something higher than yourself and allow that to guide you… The more evidence you gain that you’re competent and you can do anything you put your mind to, the more confident you will become.”
Taylor Hasenfuss, accounting intern at the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission in Atlanta
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Taylor Hasenfuss, accounting and finance junior |
About the internship
Working in the accounting department at the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission, Taylor Hasenfuss reviewed state agency reimbursement requests and invoice documentation, while working with software tools like PeopleSoft and e-Builder. She also attended budget and board meetings, gaining “a better understanding of how the state’s budgeting process and capital financing work.” Her mentors took the time to explain how the task she was completing fit into the bigger financial process, which made the work even more meaningful for Hasenfuss.
From classroom to real world
Overall, Hasenfuss said her accounting courses provided a strong foundation for understanding the financial information and documentation she handled, while skills like attention to detail, problem solving and Excel proficiency helped in reviewing reimbursement requests and working with financial records. “Beyond technical skills, Harbert has helped me develop the professionalism and communication skills needed to ask questions, learn from experienced professionals and work effectively as part of a team.”
Advancing my career goals
Hasenfuss had previously completed internships in the private and public accounting sectors, so this experience helped her better understand another potential career path. She plans to earn the CPA after she graduates in May 2028.
Advice for younger Harbert students
“Start looking for opportunities early [rather than] wait until your junior or senior year to gain meaningful experience.” This approach helped Hasenfuss gain confidence with each of her prior internships. “Even if an internship isn’t exactly what you ultimately want to do, you will leave with stronger communication, time management and other soft skills that you can carry with you into your next opportunity, and each experience teaches you more about how you work and learn best — whether that means taking detailed notes, asking more questions or finding ways to stay organized.”
Emma Johnston, sales intern at PepsiCo in Atlanta metro area
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Emma Johnston, marketing senior |
About the internship
Emma Johnston gained valuable hands-on experience in the consumer packaged goods industry, working with several PepsiCo brands such as Gatorade, Celsius, Poppi and Frito-Lay. She shadowed members of the merchandising and sales teams learning “what goes into getting products from the warehouse onto store shelves and ultimately into consumers carts.”
Her primary project was to improve on-shelf availability of products across five Kroger stores. “I analyzed store-level processes, identified challenges that contributed to products being unavailable on the shelf and worked to develop a solution to improve the process.” She also toured PepsiCo manufacturing facilities. “Seeing Gatorade being produced and tasting a Frito-Lay chip fresh out of the oven were definitely some of the most memorable parts of the summer.”
From classroom to real world
Johnston applied principles from the Personal Selling course to the internship. “…We were often working to earn valuable selling space in a grocery store, so it was important to understand the needs of the customer, which in this industry was the store, while also being able to communicate why PepsiCo’s products deserved that space.” For example, she used market share data to demonstrate why Gatorade — rather than a competing brand — should have a larger display near the front of the store and point of sale.
Advancing my career goals
“PepsiCo gave me the opportunity to take ownership of a real business problem rather than simply observe. I learned how to identify an opportunity, ask questions, work with different people, develop a solution and confidently present my ideas. Those skills will continue to be valuable regardless of where my career takes me.”
Advice for younger Harbert students
“Start looking for internships earlier than you think you need to. Start networking as soon as you can. Ask family friends, club members, professors, and anyone else you meet about the industries they work in, their career paths and what advice they have.” She also encourages students to go to career fairs and seek out leadership opportunities in student organizations and clubs.
Ella McDowell, human resources intern at International Paper (Pensacola Mill)
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Ella McDowell, management senior minoring in human resources management |
About the internship
As a member of the human resources (HR) department, Ella McDowell gained experience with system changes and improvements, investigations, joint local meetings, interviews, new employee onboarding, event planning and giving presentations to senior leadership. She also helped plan and hosted an employee engagement event for all workers at the mill.
McDowell said she never thought of working in HR or the manufacturing industry until she took Professor of Practice Rusty Adair’s class. Adair, a former International Paper (IP) HR executive, introduced her to IP recruiters at the Harbert career fair and she applied shortly afterward.
From classroom to real world
“Coming into this job after taking Rusty Adair’s classes, I had a serious advantage because I already knew so much about HR in a manufacturing environment. We did several case studies in his class that were all based on real IP events…doing a mock collective bargaining agreement, mock arbitration and we wrote grievance responses. I would not have been able to have the summer I am having without [his instruction].”
Advancing my career goals
“This internship completely changed my career goals. I always thought I wanted to go to law school, until I took classes that introduced me to all that Human Resources had to offer. I have found a very unique place that fits everything I am interested in and I am good at…so for now I really would like to continue in the HR Business Partner career path.”
Advice for younger Harbert students
“Go to the career fair even if you think you know what you want to do, or you think you have a plan. You never know who you will make a connection with or what will spark your interest. Go into your internship with confidence and never be afraid to ask questions. Learn, learn, learn.”
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