Internship Spotlight: Olivia Witt, Mattel

Olivia Witt '23 BSBA (Marketing) was a Marketing Intern at Mattel in El Segundo, CA.

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

I interviewed with 7 different employees to see which department I would fit in best at!

What was a typical day like?

I would go to work around 8:30, get my Starbucks coffee, then work on my individual project and hop on meetings until around 5!

What was your favorite part of the experience?

My favorite part was getting to interact with my coworkers at Happy Hours, meetings, and doing projects with other interns!

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

We got a category (ex: arts and crafts, action figure, etc) and place (dirt, beach, etc) and had 24 hours to create a new toy with a team that includes a physical prototype. 

What did you find most challenging?

I found learning all the companies' acronyms and lingo in only 10 weeks was the most challenging. 

What did you learn?

I learned how to effectively manage a major project while handling day-to-day work and how work well with my team. 

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

My best advice is that networking is the single best thing you can do. Build your resume early and network because you never know who can help you find a job or internship. 

How did Eller Prepare you for this experience?

Eller helped me with my excel skills and my teamwork skills. Without Eller, I would've felt so behind there.  

Did you feel supported by the company or organization you worked with?

The company does an amazing job with both DEI and COVID-19 safety. They have perfected the hybrid workplace so if needed, I could work from home any day of the week. We also had events with speakers about DEI and a philanthropy day as well. 

I had a great experience and it made me so excited for post-grad. :)