Summer 2025: Internships that Made an Impact

For Oakland University business students, summer isn’t just about slowing down and enjoying the warm weather; it’s a chance to dive into real-world experiences that shape careers. Many students use this break to pursue an internship, where they can gain hands-on experience. From finance to HR, these internships put students at the center of industry action. 

More than 80% of business students graduate with at least one internship or internship-like experience. Internships aren’t just résumé builders; they’re a launchpad for gaining real-world skills, exploring career paths, building professional networks and boosting confidence in a future career. From learning business etiquette to applying classroom knowledge, internships give students a front-row seat to how industries really operate and sometimes even open the door to a full-time job.

We asked OU Business students who landed internships to share their experiences. Here’s what they had to say:

Tressa Palomba 

Internship: Transaction Advisory Services Intern

Company: Doeren Mayhew in Troy, MI

General duties: Tressa played a key role in supporting financial due diligence projects on both the buy-side and sell-side. She assisted with Excel modeling and accounting tasks, contributing to the in-depth analyses that guided major financial decisions. Working alongside professionals in accounting, tax, finance and investment banking, Tressa gained hands-on experience in the fast-paced world of deal-making while building valuable technical and collaborative skills.

Skills Gained: Excel modeling, financial analysis, accounting for due diligence, collaborative teamwork, professional communication, problem-solving, attention to detail.

Alex Radcliffe

Internship: HR Link Intern

Company: BorgWarner in Auburn Hills, MI

General duties: In his role at BorgWarner, Alex contributed to the smooth operation of HR systems by assisting with data maintenance in both HRIS and payroll platforms. He entered and finalized intern and co-op hires across all U.S. locations, while also supporting projects aimed at improving and optimizing HR processes. Beyond system work, he played an important part in audits to ensure accuracy and compliance, and managed the team’s Outlook inbox, often serving as the first point of contact for employee questions and concerns.

Alex’s internship offered meaningful exposure to industry practices while preparing him for future career opportunities.

Skills Gained: HRIS and payroll management, data maintenance, onboarding and hiring processes, auditing and compliance, project support, email and employee communications, organizational skills.

Zach Allison 

Internship: Auto Finance – Forward Flow Intern

Company: Ally Financial in Detroit, MI

General duties: In his role, Zach evaluated loan performance by tracking key loss and risk metrics and offered insights into Ally’s market position. He also conducted competitive research and performed strategic analyses that contributed to Ally’s commitment to staying focused forward and doing it right.

Through this internship, Zach built confidence, sharpened his technical abilities, and gained practical experience that set him apart.

Skills Gained: Loan performance evaluation, risk and loss analysis, competitive research, strategic analysis, financial insights, critical thinking, technical Excel/data skills, professional confidence.

Kymmie Chriswell 

Internship: Global Mobility Intern

Company: BorgWarner in Auburn Hills, MI

General duties: In her role, Kymmie supported international talent mobility by preparing data analyses, reports and dashboards, while managing immigration and tax documentation in Workday. She collaborated with external consultants on expatriate tax and compliance matters, facilitated communication planning and contributed to audits and cost projections. She also developed expertise in Global Mobility systems, serving as a key resource for system administration and employee support.

This experience allowed Kymmie to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings while developing career-ready skills.

Skills Gained: Data analysis and reporting, dashboard creation, Workday system administration, immigration and tax documentation management, audit participation, communication planning, collaboration with consultants, project coordination, organizational skills.

Kayla Zelda 

Internship: Human Resources Intern

Company: Meijer in Grand Rapids, Michigan

General duties: Kayla was immersed in the daily operations of human resources within a retail environment, where she supported recruiting, onboarding, training and employee relations. She also gained exposure to corporate HR functions such as Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards and Learning & Development, while working with platforms like Workday and Kronos to analyze data and recommend improvements. Her internship culminated with a strategic improvement project that she presented to senior leadership at the end of the summer.

Through experiences like her internship with Meijer, Kayla prepared for the transition from student to professional with confidence.

Skills Gained: Recruiting and onboarding, employee relations, training and development, HR data analysis, HR systems (Workday, Kronos), corporate HR exposure, strategic project development, presentation skills, professional communication.

Jenna Baer 

Internship: Applied Learning Intern 

Company and location: Coca-Cola Consolidated in Charlotte, NC

General duties: Jenna supported the Labor Relations HRBP – Product Supply team by helping develop job description qualifications through interviews with teammates and research on role requirements. She also shadowed departments across the company to gain a broader understanding of the business and what drove its success. As part of her internship cohort, Jenna attended weekly CONNECT sessions on professional growth and the bottling system. Her summer highlights included visiting Red Classic, volunteering with Samaritan’s Feet, touring Truist Field and getting a behind-the-scenes look at how Coke products were merchandised in stores.

The role equipped Jenna with in-demand skills while offering valuable mentorship and career insight.

Skills Gained: Job description development, interviewing, departmental shadowing, business operations understanding, professional networking, cohort collaboration, project management, community engagement, merchandising and bottling observation.

Internships like these show that the skills, networks and confidence students build over the summer can set the stage for a successful career. 

If you’re a business student looking to secure an internship, visit the School of Business Career and Life Design team in Elliott Hall. This team is focused exclusively on supporting business students, helping you develop marketable skills, gain professional experience and explore your career interests. Learn more at https://www.oakland.edu/business/careers-internships/students/