This summer we welcomed 51 college students from across North America for summer internships, with most working remotely.

Kelly, a Corporate Communications intern, shares what #LifeAtCampbell is like as an intern working virtually, and the experiences and contributions of the 2020 intern class.

Week One: Welcoming and incorporating interns into the company

On my first day as an intern, I opened my inbox to find it filled with emails from my new co-workers welcoming me to the team. I didn’t know what to expect going into a remote internship but was quickly reassured that I’d have everything needed to help me succeed, without ever stepping foot in the office.

Throughout the week, I was provided with learning and development tools to get started, beginning with a virtual orientation, where I learned about Campbell’s values and purpose. Vaughn Brown, Talent Experience Manager, who oversees the university program, reached out to me directly, offering support and provided me with tips for a successful virtual internship and tools to establish relationships and connect with other interns.

Connecting virtually to the Campbell team

Each intern was designated a “buddy,” an employee to lean on as a resource and mentor for the duration of the summer. Maggie Wisniewski, Contract Manufacturing Intern from the Global Supply Chain team, shared, “The support and guidance from my buddy gives me an opportunity to ask questions, get feedback, and gain more insight into my team.”

Dominic Fiola, Brand Finance Intern, said “I’ve really enjoyed meeting people from around the organization and hearing everyone’s route to where they are now.”

Making an impact

Our experience may look different than in past years, but the Campbell 2020 intern class has been busy at work making an impact within the business.

Maddie Wolfe, Procurement Ingredients Intern, developed a pasta filter tool, which sorts through our library of pasta shapes and varieties to assist the Research & Development team with new product development. She also designed a commodity forecasting file which will help develop price views and set accurate budgets. “My favorite part is the trust the company has shown in my work, and seeing people use what I create,” said Maddie.

Amanda Brosnan, the first-ever Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Intern for Campbell, feels like she “fits right in with her team” by joining team huddles and collaborating on projects like a new sustainability internal newsletter.

The impact of Campbell interns goes beyond the internship. Ben Wackerman, Transportation Operations Intern is creating a Carrier of the Year program for our Meals & Beverage division. He is responsible for designing a living document that will provide carriers with competitive insights. “It’s awesome to know that the things that I have implemented will make a lasting difference,” said Ben.

For me, as the Corporate Communications Intern, I could not agree more with my fellow interns. Whether it be tracking analytics, reporting data for internal communications surrounding COVID-19, or being given the creative freedom to build an internal group for social media marketers, I know that my work is making a difference.

Campbell’s commitment to culture

Although our internship had to be virtual this year, Campbell’s culture shined through during intern events throughout the summer, like a virtual internship breakfast organized by Talent Acquisition Intern, Regina Schachinger. During the breakfast, we introduced ourselves to fellow interns, shared our backgrounds, and connected with one another.

Other events included guest speakers from the Consumer Insights team, where we discovered which consumer segment we fit into based on our relationship with cooking and meal choices, and Campbell’s Senior Corporate Archivist, Sarah Rice, where we learned about Campbell’s history. My personal favorite event was a virtual tour of Campbell’s Test Kitchen, conducted by Campbell’s Culinary Institute, where we were challenged to test our own skills in the kitchen. We recreated different recipes containing Campbell products, like Swanson’s Simmer Broth cilantro lime rice, homemade pot pies, tater topped casseroles, and slow cooked chicken tacos!

Cilantro lime rice, made with Swanson broth, created in a virtual cooking event with the Campbell Culinary Institute.

Although I never physically stepped foot into the office, working at Campbell this summer is an experience I won’t forget. I’ve had the opportunity to learn and grow professionally and personally as I built relationships and developed new skill sets.

To learn more about internships at Campbell or to get alerts when internships are available, explore our LinkedIn page.

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