Student Spotlight: Grace Mulligan
Meet Grace Mulligan, a senior at Auburn University. Below features an interview I had with Grace where she gives the readers of SWATCH an inside look into her Internship journey at Under Armour and post-grad goals.
Hi Grace! Tell me a little bit about yourself, your major, and your industry experience.
- “I’m a senior apparel merchandising student with a minor in supply chain management. This summer, I had the opportunity to work as a merchandising intern at Under Armour. I found this internship through the job postings at Auburn, and I applied for the position in the early fall semester of 2022. I was fortunate to be selected and officially accepted the position in January of 2023."
Can you describe your role and responsibilities during your internship at Under Armour? What projects did you work on?
- “During my time at Under Armour, I worked with the North American Team Sports Wholesale team on sport-specific merchandise, and assisted in the distribution process to retail outlets such as DICK'S Sporting Goods, Academy Sports, and Under Armour's brand house stores."
- “I helped my team by working on consumer and commercial insight for spring/summer 2024 in their baseball, softball, and volleyball lines. I also assisted in creating merch boards for their go-to-market process for Spring/Summer 2024. My main project was presenting the consumer insight and research that I found when talking to athletes about improving their baseball, softball, and volleyball lines within apparel and footwear.”
Did you encounter any challenges at your internship, and how did you overcome them?
- Initially, I struggled to build connections with my team and fellow interns. However, I soon realized the importance of reaching out to as many colleagues as possible during my internship. I discovered that the most valuable learning experiences occurred when I connected with others at the company and gained insights into their work."
How has your internship at Under Armour influenced your long-term career plans or goals?
- “Working at Under Armour made me so excited to start my career in merchandising. I loved being able to put what I’ve learned at Auburn into action and see my work influence such a massive company like Under Armour. After working in a merchandising position it helped me realize what kinds of jobs I am looking to do post-graduation. At first, I thought I wanted to have the role of a planner, but after being able to work with the merchandise department firsthand, I now see myself working as a merchant or buyer in the future. Working at Under Armour, I realized the importance of a positive work environment and inclusive company culture. Under Armor has a fast-paced and collaborative environment, that makes everyone feel like they are a part of the team. As I enter the work force, I aspire to find that sense of community and teamwork again!”
What advice would you offer to students considering internships in a similar field or at a company like Under Armour?
- “One piece of advice that someone gave me at Under Armour was to never stop asking questions and never stop reaching out to new people. I got a lot out of my internship because I put myself out there and met as many people at the company as I could. Reaching out to my coworkers allowed me to learn about different roles and exciting company projects. These connections not only helped with my internship project but also expanded my knowledge and network.”
