Marketing major Katelyn Clay turned her internship into a a full-time job

Written byAshley McClure-French

ā€œI was able to transition into a full-time role because of how hard I worked when I was an intern. I was excited to be chosen among all of the applicants for my internship and Iā€™m thankful to the University for providing internship opportunities at companies like TABASCO who are both global and local.ā€

Katelyn Clay is a marketing alum from the Ā鶹AV.
Katelyn Clay
Graduation Year
Class of 2019
Major
Marketing
Hometown
Deridder, La.

Where I'm From

I came to Ā鶹AV from Deridder, La., following in my sistersā€™ footsteps.

Where I Am

I am an international associate brand manager for TABASCO in a global company with local roots.

Where I'm Going

Iā€™m going to enjoy my time where I am and figure out my next steps when I am no longer being challenged and stop growing.

Katelyn Clay, ā€™19, got a preview of Ā鶹AV before actually enrolling. During her junior year in high school, she visited her sister, who was a student at Ā鶹AV.

ā€œI went to all of her classes as if I were a student and fell in love with the University,ā€ she said. ā€œThe culture is what immediately drew me in and after researching the College of Business Administrationā€™s program, I knew this was the university I wanted to attend.ā€

Katelyn reached out to a professor in the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration, who then pointed her in the direction of the marketing program.

ā€œAfter looking into it, I thought it was perfect for me: it was a career that was both analytical and creative,ā€ she said.

For Kaitlyn, the professors were the best part about the marketing major. 

ā€œOur professors had so much passion for us and for what they taught,ā€ she said. ā€œThey genuinely wanted to see us succeed and created plenty of opportunities for us to not only grow in the material but professionally as well.ā€

Outside the classroom, Katelyn took advantage of a student organization for marketing students and professionals.

ā€œBeyond just my courses, I learned a lot during my time in the ,ā€ she said. ā€œI learned how to network, how to get a job and got to hear the keys to success from other professionals.ā€  

Katelyn is currently an international associate brand manager at McIlhenny Company, the company behind the TABASCOĀ® brand products. She transitioned into that role after interning with the company during her senior year internship.

ā€œMy internship was one of the most valuable experiences I had when I was at the University,ā€ she said. ā€œI got to work with professionals from all over the globe and take part in strategy meetings at the company level and at the national level. 

ā€œI was able to transition into a full-time role because of how hard I worked when I was an intern,ā€ she said. ā€œI was excited to be chosen among all of the applicants for my internship and Iā€™m thankful to the University for providing internship opportunities at companies like this who are both global and local.ā€

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