Internship Spotlight: Erika Kraml, PepsiCo

Erika Kraml '23 BSBA (Marketing) was a Sales Management Intern at PepsiCo in Tucson, AZ.

What was the process for getting this internship/job?

I applied through handshake for the sales management position. A few weeks after submitting my application I got an email back saying I landed an interview. The interview was a 2 on 1 which was intimidating at first but the interviewers made me feel comfortable right away and the interview went really well. About a week later I got a phone call saying I was chosen to be an intern and accepted right away!

What type of projects do you work on?

The project I have been working on during this internship is retention and recognition for hourly employees here in the Tucson Zone. I have gone around and asked members of the sales team how they typically recognize their frontline employees to see what preferences they have picked up on. I also sent out a short survey and interviewed frontline employees that have been with the company for as little as 0-3 months and as long as 5+ years. The survey and interviews allowed me to get honest opinions about the company and the ways they are being recognized and would like to be recognized.

What is your favorite part of the experience?

My favorite part of the experience was going to the Casa Grande Plant to see how Frito-Lay chips are made, packaged and shipped out to warehouses!

What do you find most challenging?

What I found the most challenging was becoming familiar with the business and the acronyms everyone used on a daily basis. At first it felt like a foreign language and it took a week or so to pick up on, but once I did I noticed myself using them just as often.

What are you learning?

I’m learning how the business works as well as becoming more confident in myself as a leader.

What advice do you have for other students looking for similar experiences?

Don’t stress too much, during the interview process you will know whether or not it is the company for you.

How has Eller prepared you for this experience?

Eller helped prepare me for this experience by teaching me effective communication skills as well as how important teamwork is