Summer Intern, Happened So Fast

I interned with Compass Group for 10 weeks on their corporate communications team in Charlotte, N.C. Each day presented the opportunity to learn something new with the ability to gain insight from a different Compass associate.

My name is Katy Dettmer, and I am a rising junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I’m majoring in media and journalism with a specialization in strategic communications. I’m also minoring in mathematical decision sciences and Spanish for the business profession. I’m interested in creating a cohesive and clear communication strategy using analytical and statistical research to support it.

Over the summer, I worked on various projects that challenged me to grow and think in unique ways. One of the main projects included recognition. I helped drive recognition strategies for over 250,000 associates for the Be-A-Star program. This included planning the annual awards banquet, Compass Night of Stars, which awards associates and teams within each of Compass’ over 20 different sectors. In addition, I analyzed the 2017 engagement survey results and formulated them to find specific categories for further growth. Finally, I worked on Compass’ social media. Specifically, I concentrated my efforts on the Twitter account @CGCareersUSA. The main purpose of this Twitter handle is to recruit, share the company culture, and highlight associates. I posted daily to increase engagement and gain new followers. For my final week at Compass Group, I did an “Intern Katy Takeover” (#KT) on the @CGCareersUSA Twitter account. I tweeted about #FunFacts, #SectorSpotlights, #InternShout, and #FoodByCompass among other things. The purpose of this takeover was to showcase my day-to-day life as an intern and describe the company through an exciting and different perspective.

All of my projects this summer were exciting and beneficial, but it was the communications team and the people I met who made my experience valuable. Everyone treated me with respect, and they encouraged me to reach my full potential by providing me with the tools and resources necessary. Compass is a welcoming environment and a company that makes working hard worth it. So to all the people I met during my internship at Compass this summer, thank you!

This summer has provided me with valuable experience, new skills, and the opportunity for personal and professional growth. I’m grateful that I worked for a company that not only holds itself to high standards, but also treats all associates with respect and encouragement.

If you are interested in working for Compass, find your opportunity here.

Recent grads, check out the Compass MIT program here. I can promise you that you won’t be disappointed!