Abigayle McCabe

Majors: Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Media and Mass Communications 

Marketing Intern, Carrier 

1.) How did you learn about this internship opportunity? 

 I learned about this opportunity through Linked In and was able to apply through the website.

2.) How has your internship helped build your skills and clarify your career goals?  How do you apply your Liberal Arts skills to your internship? 

My internship has helped me interpret data and draw actionable insights, refined my writing and editing skills through crafting announcements, press releases, and marketing materials, ensuring clarity and professionalism, and helped me gain practical experience in creating, scheduling, and analyzing social media content, improving your ability to manage and grow online communities. Career wise this internship has given me direct involvement in various marketing and PR activities, feedback and guidance from experienced colleagues helped you identify your strengths and areas for improvement, and experience with projects specific to the refrigerated fleet and transportation industries which provided insight into this niche market, helping me understand its unique challenges and opportunities. Being a liberal arts student at Purdue has helped me dive into this internship and know exactly how to handle it based on my coursework. The classes related to my major really set me up for success at my internship and I was able to jump right in when I started.

3.) What is a piece of advice you would give someone in your major looking for an internship?Apply to as many internships as you can, big or small. It is so easy to feel discouraged with the internship and job hunt right now as it is in a tough spot. I applied to around 135 internships for the Summer of 2024 and received only 5 offers. I felt so defeated but kept going and I am so glad I did. This internship has been one of the best experiences I could have asked for and I am confident that my career will be successful.

4.) What specific responsibilities have your undertaken during your internship?

During my internship at Carrier Transicold, I have undertaken a variety of responsibilities that have significantly contributed to both my professional development and the success of the company. In social media management, I developed engaging content for Carrier Transicold’s platforms, monitored performance metrics, and provided recommendations, such as a campaign idea for them to continue after I leave. I played a key role in crafting important organizational announcements, such as the introduction of Ed Dryden as the new President of Refrigeration. My proofreading and editing skills were used through reviewing and refining marketing materials, press releases, and internal documents to ensure they were clear, consistent, and error-free. In event planning and management, I assisted in organizing the Truckload Carriers Association dinner, including menu selection, and coordinating musicians. I wrote scripts for promotional videos and internal presentations, ensuring they aligned with the company’s messaging and tone. My public relations responsibilities included drafting press releases, managing media relations, and assisting in the development and execution of PR strategies to enhance Carrier Transicold’s public image. These diverse responsibilities have provided me with a comprehensive understanding of various aspects of marketing and communications, while also enabling me to make meaningful contributions to Carrier Transicold’s initiatives.

5.) 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 at Purdue University has supported mine and every other student’s internship by hosting many career fairs as well as always promoting and posting new job opportunities. The job-ready program’s guidance in resume building, interview preparation, and career planning has been invaluable. The program's focus on real-world readiness ensured that I was well-prepared for the challenges of the professional world.

6.) Could you highlight a standout aspect of your experience in this program that you find particularly noteworthy?

I think the scholarship itself is extremely beneficial. Starting a new internship can be very intimidating and scary as it is, and taking summer classes on top of it does not help. I pay for my own tuition, so I was scrambling trying to find everything and when I received this award, the weight fell off of my shoulders.