Allysa Martel '26 Supply Chain Intern

Allysa Martel '26 (BSBA OSCM) was a Supply Chain Intern at Ferrara Candy Company in Chicago, IL.

Ferrara provided a housing stipend for all interns that were eligible and placed us in a group chat with fellow interns to connect with. I know in previous years they placed all interns in the same building, but this year we were allowed to choose where we wanted to live. I was able to do this on my own but I'm sure the HR team gave many recommendations to interns that needed assistance. They do not provide any assistance with daily commuting transportation, but they do reimburse you for any transportation during the work day or to company events. Being located in Chicago, many interns walked to work daily and there is many public transportation options for low cost. 

What was the process for getting this internship, job, or summer experience? 

I applied online via a LinkedIn application and was then messaged by a recruiter to set up a time to call. I had a mobile phone call with her and then was moved onto the next stage of the process which was having around 4 30 minute interviews with various directors within my function of business. These were all virtual interviews I had while still at school. I then found out a bit later from the same recruiter what the decision was and started receiving information via email for next steps. I was also required to pass a background and drug test before my official confirmation of acceptance.  

What was a typical day like?

I typically worked from home Mondays and Fridays and in the office all other days. My typical day in the office started around 8-8:30am (typical working hours are 9-5 but I preferred to start earlier and leave earlier). I would usually get my day all planned out and figure out what meetings I had and then the rest of the day would consist of switching between meetings (some 1 on 1 some team meetings) and working on my projects or smaller tactical work. We also have an hour for lunch each day as well. Each intern was also matched with a direct manager, a peer mentor, and a senior mentor. 

If you worked on a big project, please describe it below:

My largest project consisted of identifying how many new items my company was planning to launch in the upcoming year and how many and which items we needed to discontinue as a result to maintain our overall margins and portfolio health. I did a lot of analysis and had many meetings to discuss my recommendations and receive cross-functional input and presented the ongoing results in 6-7 monthly brand meetings. I then presented the results of my project in a large formal presentation at the end of the summer. 

What advice do you have for other students looking for a similar experience, or advice for future students to be successful?

I would say to keep an open mind and prioritize somewhere that you feel you would fit in from a company culture/environment perspective. You can have all the knowledge in the world but if you don't like the place or people you work with it will not be enjoyable for you. I personally loved the atmosphere I was in, the people I worked with, and the work I was given. I was hesitant when I first found out I would be working with the portfolio management team because I had no idea this was even considered supply chain and didn't think I would like it and I ended up loving it and not wanting to leave. I would also say trying to find a good balance between confidence and humbleness. I am usually one to be very hesitant in new professional settings and get anxious and not want to make a wrong choice, but my manager had goals he wanted me to focus on this summer and one of those was working on how I speak in presentations and represent myself in large meetings. I saw my confidence with this increase immensely, and at the end of the summer I received comments from other full-time employees that they didn't even know I was an intern. Being open and accepting to all feedback and knowledge that others provided me I think really helped set me up for success. 

How did Eller prepare you for this experience?

I felt confident on my basic software applications techniques with room to learn the more in-depth needs for my company. I also feel I understand a lot of language used within the office very early on from learning similar terms in my classes. The other major thing would be understanding how to work in a professional setting. Something my manager praised me for often was being able to read the room really well. When I presented or led meetings, I knew when I could be more informal vs. formal and I knew when I could throw in a light joke here and there or remain strictly informative. I think our professors at Eller, specifically Professor Gyure, does a really good job of not only teaching us but also showing us when it is appropriate to let loose a little bit in a professional setting and when to remain formal. 

Anything else you would like to share about your summer experience?

I absolutely loved my internship and was never watching the clock or dreading starting the work day. I was given work that actually mattered and got to meet with anyone I wanted to learn from, even our CEO and Senior Leadership team which for a company of our size is not always heard of. They give the interns a lot of freedom and the opportunities to explore any other role both in and out of your function that you'd like and it's really clear the employees want the best for the interns whether that be with an intention to return at the company or develop their skills for their next workplace. The intern coordinators also planned so many events for us but also got us included in events with current employees to really allow us to feel like apart of their team. I could not have asked for a better opportunity and have expanded my knowledge in more ways than I ever expected and feel a lot more confident in my choice of major and excited to see what I can accomplish moving forward.