Career Services

This is an interview with Jasmyne Burris, Summer 2025 intern with Extreme Dog Fuel.

Where did you intern this past summer, and what was your role?

This past summer, I interned at Extreme Dog Fuel as a marketing intern, an opportunity I found through the Rankin College of Business.

Did this experience change your career goals or perspective on your field?

While this experience did not change my overall career goals, it did shift my perspective on how I prefer to work. I did see myself as more of an independent worker, but through this internship, I realized how much I like collaboration and being part of a team.

How did this internship help you grow professionally and personally?

Professionally and personally, this experience helped me grow by giving me a deeper understanding of how much passion and dedication business owners have for what they have built. From an outside perspective, companies can sometimes feel like stepping stones, but to the owner, it is their life’s work that they are trusting others to be a part of. Working closely with the business owner challenged me, especially because of the level of detail and care he expected in every task. At times, things that seemed small to me carried significant weight to him, which taught me that even minor mistakes or oversights can have a bigger impact than I realized. This experience ultimately pushed me to take greater pride in my work and strengthened my desire to work hard for my future employer.

Did you have opportunities to network with professionals in your industry?

I had valuable networking opportunities, as my supervisor offered to take me to two conferences where I could connect with other professionals in the industry.

What was the best advice you received from a mentor or supervisor?

The best advice I received from my mentor was to treat every task, no matter how small, as if it directly reflects the entire business, because in many ways, it does.

What advice would you give to students looking for internships?

For students looking for internships, I would advise them to take every opportunity seriously and not go in thinking they just need this for their resume. These are hands-on learning moments that can further your knowledge and help your future career goals.

How did SAU Career Services help you with your internship search or preparation?

SAU Career Services played a role in my internship journey by helping me prepare to present myself professionally, offering many opportunities to learn about a proper resume, attire, and how to be prepared for an interview, which ultimately led to me getting the internship.