Internship spotlight: MBA student AJ Templin, Three Dog Bakery

MBA student AJ Templin spent the summer working with KC-based Three Dog Bakery as a marketing and product development intern.

Tell us about your internship — where did you work and what did the position entail?

I spent my summer with Three Dog Bakery LLC in downtown KC as a marketing and product development intern. My internship consisted of two project proposals, one on the marketing end and one with product development. For the marketing proposal, I developed a strategy to boost sales growth on the Amazon and Chewy platforms. My second project had me developing the viability of a potential product through market research and logistics.

How did you get connected with this opportunity?

​The School of Business Career Services office has many opportunities for students to connect with potential employers. So, I was able to discover the opportunity with Three Dog Bakery LLC through regular visits with our MBA career advisor, Alicia Green.

What were your favorite parts of the experience?

I enjoyed working in a smaller office where I could connect with multiple departments outside of my immediate department. It was nice to see how the whole company operates and how each department contributes to the whole. It gave me a better understanding of how each department adds value to the organization. The smaller office also allowed me to learn from some very talented and experienced individuals from different career backgrounds who gave me advice that I can take with me to my next opportunity.

How do you feel like you benefited from the position?

I benefited from the opportunity to work on two individual projects that interested me. It allowed me to explore my career goals through experience, so I could make a more informed decision on what my next step could be. It also allowed me to further my experience in digital marketing. Working with both Amazon and Chewy, I was able to learn how to better navigate the complexities of a growing e-commerce market.

How did you feel like the internship related to your experience in the MBA program?

My first-year MBA courses helped me strategize my market research methods, like where to look and how to refine my results. They also helped me with building a high-level proposal that I can feel confident giving at an executive level. Heading into my second year of the MBA program, I can share my experience and how our course material can translate into the field.