Nataleigh Holguin, a Wichita State University student majoring in marketing, took
a leap this summer that many only dream of. For ten transformative weeks, Nataleigh
left her Kansas roots behind to intern with Hasbro in Rhode Island—a far cry from
the familiar surroundings of her college life. Working with Hasbro’s Action Brands
team, she contributed to globally recognized franchises like Transformers, G.I. Joe,
Star Wars, and Marvel.
In her role as a Marketing/Events intern, Nataleigh experienced firsthand the inner
workings of a major corporation. Highlights of her internship included analyzing sales
data, presenting her findings to Hasbro’s Senior Leadership team, and developing a
presentation on Social Media Marketing that further enhanced her skill set.
When it came to landing this high-profile opportunity, Nataleigh's approach was simple
but determined. “I knew I wanted to push my limits, so I applied to internships that
I wasn’t even sure I was qualified for,” she explained. “Although it was unfortunate
to receive a few rejections, I’m glad Hasbro—and especially my boss—took a chance
on me!”
Her advice to peers is equally straightforward: "Give everything a shot!" She spent
countless hours scouring LinkedIn, Indeed, Handshake, and other platforms for positions
that piqued her interest. “I looked for anything in Marketing, Event Planning, Social
Media, etc., but I also made sure to read the descriptions carefully to see if I could
truly see myself in the role. Applying for Hasbro felt outlandish, but I knew it would
be an amazing opportunity.”
Reflecting on her journey, Nataleigh credits the unwavering support of the Rudd Foundation
and her team at Hasbro, including her boss Emily Bader and colleagues Ben MacCrae,
Delaney Norris, Nate Purswell, and Ashley Creedon. "They made this experience unforgettable,"
she shared.
Now back at Wichita State, Nataleigh is focusing on her final year with a renewed
sense of confidence. "This internship pushed me to step beyond my comfort zone, and
I’m excited to keep growing."
Wichita State's applied learning program gives students hands-on, paid experience
with industry partners, helping them build careers before graduation.
For more information, contact theShocker Career Acceleratorat (316) 978-3688, SCA@wichita.edu, or visitwichita.edu/Career. You can also stop by in person at the Marcus Welcome Center, Suite 139, on the Wichita
State campus.
