Sofia Solano Brenes

Major: Industrial Design
Minor: Italian

Industrial Design Co-Op at Rawlings Sporting Goods

How did you learn about this internship opportunity?

I went searching for as many internships as I could apply for early in the year. I came across the Rawlings post and saw that it was a full semester and summer position and it intrigued me because the longer you spend at an internship the more you can learn from a mentor.

What is a piece of advice you would give someone in your major looking for an internship?

I would tell them not to worry about where your internship is going to be. Sometimes the most unexpected opportunities are the ones that help you grow the most. That being said, you should still put in the work to find an internship early on and not be afraid to take something that is outside of your comfort zone.

What key responsibilities or projects have you taken on during your internship?

I worked with Rawlings’ bags, helmets, and protective gear department on a variety of projects. Some were intended to go into production right away, such as redesigning catcher’s gear and developing backpack colorways, while others were more conceptual and intended for future reference or portfolio development.

How has your internship helped build your skills and clarify your career goals? How did being a Liberal Arts student at Purdue apply to your internship?

Before my internship, I hadn’t considered how much I would enjoy a career in sporting goods. However, after being here for a couple of months I can see this becoming part of my career path. Being a liberal arts student has given me all the bases to be capable at my internship. Everything I do has a great overlap with the things being taught in class.

In what ways has the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University supported your internship journey? How has your participation in our Job-Ready program specifically aided your professional development?

The College of Liberal Arts making a point to have required internships for industrial design has been a great pillar in my journey. Because of this I felt like I was prepared for the job search by the internship class and the portfolio review. The job ready internship program has helped me as an international student a lot to afford transportation during my internship.

Could you highlight a standout aspect of your experience in the Job-Ready program that you find particularly noteworthy?

I think that having the opportunity to have a highlight takeover in the Instagram page is a very unique experience. I like that you give the opportunity to the students to show off their cool internships and the work that they are doing.