This week, we started filming the first podcasts, which we had been planning for a long time, writing scripts, and getting equipment. Things didn’t go exactly as planned, but we made progress.

Magazine Meeting

Early in the week, Mr. Marc proposed a big idea: a magazine and annual report to release in January 2026. Since I work on The Reporter at Stetson, I volunteered to help with the design. We sent out a Doodle poll, scheduled a brainstorming session, and I promised to bring sample spreads from my past layouts. Seeing my skills combined with Phoenix Generation’s tasks feels like a perfect match. It also reminds me that my InDesign skills are still useful in a video-heavy internship.

First Podcast Shoot – Diverse Talks 

Monday was our first official recording day. The concept is simple: gather students from different countries and share culture-shock stories. We created a Google Form, informed our guests, and prepared questions like “What’s a stereotype about your home that’s wrong?” Fifteen minutes before call time, one of the guests texted that his car broke down and he could not make it. Five minutes later, another one canceled too. We had two empty chairs in a recording studio, and we had to figure out something as the time of recording just keeps going. The other podcast intern and I switched our behind-the-camera roles, jumped on set, and started being recorded. Surprisingly, the conversation felt natural – probably because we didn’t have time to overthink. We ended up with solid footage and a valuable lesson in solving problems quickly. 

Second Podcast Shoot – Let’s Get Deep 

Wednesday’s episode used a card game with different types of questions (Icebreaker, Deep, Deeper) to encourage conversations. I reviewed every card beforehand and picked prompts that fit our theme – this was a good choice because some were unrelated and would make the video not interesting to watch. We adjusted the camera angles and had a couple of guests switch seats for balance. Once we started recording, the dialogue flowed smoothly. There were fewer problems than on Monday, and overall it went great.

Dealing with the Raw Footage 

After video shoots, we began the tedious task of data organizing – labeling audio tracks, syncing camera files, and organizing everything into clearly named folders. I believe that it is an important part of video editing as it makes the video editing flow faster.

Reflection 

Week seven taught me two important lessons: plans can fall apart, and you need to be ready for it, but preparation still pays off. When two of the guests dropped out, we adjusted quickly, and I am grateful that we were able to figure it out on the spot. Even though the magazine project is still in the brainstorming phase, it already feels like the next big challenge. This internship keeps pushing my skills in every direction – design, photo, video, and crisis management. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

I’ve been focusing a lot on my project and made great progress. I’m dividing my proposal into a 3-phase strategy combining organic content, influencer partnerships, and digital clienteling on social media. I believe I have great data from research and articles I found to support my ideas. I also finished my first draft and presented it to my mentor, George, and he was very impressed. He suggested I work on reorganizing my data to build a stronger structure to support my claims. I even sent a copy to my former Stetson professor, Todd Haderlie — we had a Digital Marketing class last fall and he was one of the best professors I had during my time at Stetson. I thought he’d be a great person to give me feedback, and he was super open to it. Now I’m excited to see what he has to say! Hopefully, I’ll know the answer by the next post kkkkk

I’m currently working on the visuals for my presentation. I want to combine classic COACH elements and give them a different purpose. For example, I used Illustrator and Photoshop to transform a COACH Hangtag Bag Charm into an element for my presentation that I’ll use to display the title of the first slide. I’m playing with the brand’s aesthetic and recreating elements to make my deck interesting, fun, and creative.

One problem I’m having is that I wanted to do a survey with Gen Z COACH customers. I posted a survey on the COACH community on Reddit, but it kept getting deleted. Now I’m banned from the platform for 3 days. I wanted to get more insights on how the target audience perceives the brand’s social media. I got 15 responses in the few hours it was live before being taken down. I’m trying to find different ways to get more responses, but I feel like my options are very limited, unfortunately.

I really want to give the BEST impression EVER! They just told us that the presentation will be recorded so the President and Vice President can watch it later. They wanted to be there, but they’ll be in Europe the week of the presentation. As an international student, opportunities like this don’t happen twice.

Last week, I mentioned that we had a visit from the woman in Talent Acquisition, and that I asked her about opportunities for international students. She said there are some, however, due to the current U.S. administration, they’re changing the policies around visa sponsorship. She told me they still offer it, but you have to prove that you’re THE BEST at what you do, and why you can do it better than a citizen. That added a whole new layer of pressure on my shoulders. That information is not new to me — we learn this the moment we step into this country — but hearing it from her made it more real.

Since then, I’ve been focused on giving EVERYTHING I can to this project. More than 100% of me. I want it to be perfect, strategic, creative, to show my abilities and my personality. And although staying in the U.S. was never my top life plan, I really fell in love with the brand and with the retail industry. So, if I want to have more opportunities with COACH in the future… I better leave a good impression!

Photo Day: Headshots in the Florida Sun

My main assignment was straightforward: shoot new head-shot photos for every intern. The challenge was to maintain consistent backgrounds and lighting outside. I found a shaded brick wall covered with leaves near the office, and spent most of Monday on it. The sun kept moving, so each setup took longer than I thought. By afternoon, everyone had a matching, well-lit portrait. After that I spent some time in Lightroom correcting exposure and color to ensure the entire set looked like it came from one mini-studio session.

Podcast retake

Mid-week, we attempted to record a solo episode with Dr. Lua Hancock. It was a short piece on why Phoenix Generation matters, as part of the mini-series. Halfway through, the main camera overheated and shut down unexpectedly. We lost some amount of footage but not a lot as we were monitoring while the camera was recording. We regrouped, checked the battery temperatures, and re-shot the missing segments. The good thing was that I liked the second take more than the first one and I know the edited video will look seamless once I put the clips together.

Polishing the Daryl Davis Interview

By Friday I was back in After Effects, cleaning up the long-form interview we shot during Courageous Conversations. Tasks included normalizing audio levels and designing a branded intro. Seeing the raw footage transform into a shareable episode reminded me why post-production might be my favorite phase – it’s when the video actually takes its final form.

Reflection

Week six was not full of events, but it sharpened my technical skills and challenged me in taking photos once more. I learned how to deal with the changing sunlight, troubleshoot an overheated camera on the fly, and keep an interview flowing in the edit. Even slow weeks here come with new problems to solve.

This week I was assigned to a new project. This project was a government building with a data center on the second floor. Data centers are a mess to say the least. A lot of wire is needed to run and operate a data center. And where a lot of wire is needed so is a lot of conduit. When a project starts it gets auto populated, which is where the model for the conduit runs is auto generated into the project giving a general layout for the where everything needs to be. However, all the boxes and spacing is messed up and not connected.

So the week mostly entailed me using section views to make sure the elevation was correct for the runs and checking to see if the conduit IDs matched the correct boxes they were running too. Along with making sure the spacing was correct. Spacing varied based on the size of the conduit. But for the most part it was a 2” spacing between the different conduits.

In terms of skills used this week in the software, I honed and sharpened the skills I have already utilized. Getting faster at pulling sections and manipulating the conduit or bends to appear cleaner . I did learn how to make and offset though. Which is where the box could be offset while the conduit spacing stayed the same.

Here is a picture of what that looks like.

I will be continuing to work in this project more again next week. I will also be meeting with my manager to talk about possibly coming on part time during school, and what my future could look like at Miller when I graduate.

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The Beginning

This week I came back from vacation, so it was a little tough to get through the week. Then the week blasted by in a blink of an eye. This week was all about preparations for the big meetings that will happen next week. I had to set the room up, go to meetings to be a guinea pig as everyone ran through their presentations. Next week I’ll be in a three day long meeting and will be tasked with taking note of a question asked or an answer given.

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Field Trip

We took a field trip to a facility in Sanford to see insurance claims that were fire or accident related. The first hands on thing we saw was an air purifier that combusted on its own one night in a lady’s home. We saw the professionals disassemble it completely, then they showed pictures of the house and where the purifier was and the extent of the damage. They taught us and also talked business with some workers from our office because this was an active claim. Then they showed us a recent claim that involved Brat Pitt. Apparently he was at the restaurant that burnt down for his new F1 movie. So we got to see pictures of a place called Pappa’s out in New Smyrna Beach and this place was historic for that area, seeing that it was at least four generations old. Then they showed us auto accidents that were all active claims as well, and because of that we weren’t legally allowed to take pictures.

Halfway through my Coach internship!!!

We started with an amazing Visual Merchandising workshop led by the talented Marina Campbell, where we learned how to align KPIs with visuals and store flow. It was eye-opening to see the strategy behind every decision, from the smallest details to the big picture, and how all of it works together to create a seamless and intentional customer experience. This was one of the trainings I was most excited about. She focused a lot on explaining how it’s NOT ONLY about creativity — of course that also plays an important part — but also about strategy, understanding your consumers, and knowing the intention behind everything. I think these two skills are something I’ve been training and learning to combine: creativity and strategy. So, this workshop really resonated with the areas I want to study and the abilities I want to develop.

We also had a visit from Caitelin Fagan-McCoy from the Talent Acquisition team, who checked in with us to hear about our experiences, expectations, and learnings so far. I shared with her my perspective and suggestions for the internship, and also used this opportunity to ask questions about careers at Tapestry and the opportunities available for recent graduates — especially international students, like in my case. Which is something we always need to keep in mind.

We also had an online session with the COACH CEO, Todd Kahn, and Kate Spade CEO, Eva Erdmann. It was so inspiring to hear about their journeys and how they got to where they are now. They spoke a lot about what it means to be a leader, and how it’s more about loving what you do and focusing on your career now instead of worrying about the next step. They talked about the importance of taking risks and having passion for your job. They also discussed the future of both brands — Kate Spade is going through a rougher phase compared to COACH, so it was interesting to see different analyses and perspectives on the future. Eva mentioned how this is the moment to reinvent the brand by connecting with its past, and Todd is more focused on new strategies and approaches to maintain growth. Super interesting conversation! I could write a whole essay about this meeting kkkk

Lastly, I’ve been focusing a lot on my project and made great progress. I’m dividing my proposal into a 3-phase strategy combining organic content, influencer partnerships, and digital clienteling on social media. I believe I have great data to support my ideas. Now I need to work on finishing my first draft, and start the visuals for the presentation.

A short but very packed one. It was Fourth of July weekend so that meant a three day weekend, and that the office would probably be empty pretty early on Thursday as well. But all jokes aside there was still work to be done and of course for me, more things to model.

My week consisted of working mostly on underground conduit runs. A new challenge and underground is far different from overhead. The pipe is typically bigger for underground. The paths you can model are more flexible than the overhead. You can have bigger bends and not everything has to bend at 90 degrees to get where you want to go. This is because the underground conduit is ran through ducktbanks that are dig before hand and then filled with concrete once the pipe is in place.

Thanks to my more than helpful manager Tim Viau and his underground wizardry. I was able to model some of the underground pretty well. I learned new tools, such as the trim connect tool. A tool that allows me to connect the pipe without having to be exact on lining it up. Revit is able to auto draw the bends and connections using this tool. I also learned how to isolate exactly what I wanted to see using the Hide/Isolate tool in the bottom of the tool bar. This enabled me to focus just on the pipe and get a better picture of exactly what I was doing. Week six was a new experience and one that I learned a lot from. I will post pictures of the software and the new tools below.

This is what it looks like after using the Hide/Isolate tool

The goggles are the the Hide/ Isolate tool on the bottom of the tool bar

This is a picture of the distant after using the trim connect tool to auto make the bends

After the excitement of Courageous Conversations, week five felt much less stressful than the previous. We moved from event organization to planning for the long term. We discussed what worked well and what didn’t at the event, and proposed the new plan for the podcasting filming.

Building the Podcast Roadmap

Monday started with brainstorming episode ideas, who we can invite for a podcast, and what dates we should use for that. By Wednesday, we had a six-episode plan finalized:

• July 7 – Diverse Talks: 4 people from different countries come together to talk about the differences and what they know about each other’s countries. Questions like the biggest culture shock, and popular foods.
• July 10 – Let’s Get Deep: Players will take turns picking a card with a question/prompt, leading to deeper conversations and more personal answers.
  
• July 21 – Interfaith: A host and three faith leaders dig into common ground and tension points.
  
• July 23 – Agree or Disagree: Players will be given a statement to which they write down a number based on how much they agree with the statement (0- Strongly Disagree, 5- Strongly Agree) and then take turns explaining why.
• July 28 – Hillel Interview: two Fellows and two Hillel directors on campus dialogue.
  
• July 30 – Can We Survive?: Series where a group plays different games that are known for “Breaking Families apart” (Uno, Monopoly, etc.)
  

We created detailed question sets, covering topics from “What’s a false stereotype about your country?” to “Where do you feel most at home now?” We also decided that each session will typically use a four-mic setup, but we can adjust it to match guest availability.

Strengths Finder and Bios

Mid-week, we took the CliftonStrengths survey. My top five strengths were Ideation, Strategic, Arranger, Input, and Learner. This means I enjoy connecting ideas and organizing chaos. Comparing results with the intern group was very interesting, as it appeared that we were much alike with each other than we initially thought. I also collected everyone’s headshots and mini-bios, which I was doing for the updated website of Phoenix Generation.

Debriefing Courageous Conversations

Wednesday’s debrief combined celebration with honest feedback. Wins included a flexible event flow, an eye-catching lobby design, and Jeff’s engaging storytelling. Areas for improvement are clearer check-in procedures, a longer setup period, and a real run-of-show flowchart. The main takeaway was that communication and preparation time are essential. At the end of the week, I was working as a digital organizer, and I had sorted every photo and video and put them into different folders. This will be very helpful for future work.

Reflection

Week five has been less eventful but not less exciting. We built a strong foundation for six podcasts, identified our strengths, recorded the lessons from our largest event yet, and sorted through a vast amount of media. It reminded me that great content involves planning, communication, and learning from past experiences.

This week was one of the most unforgettable moments of my internship and honestly, of my early career.

Coach welcomed over 10 team members from the corporate office in NYC to our store, including professionals from product development, visual merchandising, customer engagement, clienteling, and more. It was an incredible opportunity to hear directly from the people shaping the brand’s future. The visit was not only inspiring, but it also gave us a clearer understanding of how each area contributes to the bigger picture.

What truly stood out was the presence of President Leigh Manheim Levine and Vice President Richard Butler. On the first day of their visit, we walked them through our store’s performance, business analytics, product feedback, Gen Z trends, and overall results. They listened attentively, asked thoughtful questions, and made sure every intern in the room felt heard.

The next morning, we were invited to an intimate breakfast with them. As interns, we were encouraged to speak candidly about our experiences, what’s working, what we would do differently, how we perceive the brand as Gen Z consumers, and even our future career aspirations. That openness, curiosity, and trust left a lasting impression on me. I’ve never felt so valued in a professional setting.

Coach continues to prove that it is a brand built on people. That shows not only on the sales floor but across all levels, from store staff to the executive team. The fact that the President and Vice President flew in to sit down with interns speaks volumes. It is about connection, care, and shared growth.

This week we also participated in a training called SALES Coach, designed for leadership roles in retail. It focused on every aspect of the customer experience, from product knowledge to the in-store journey. What struck me was how much emphasis Coach places on human connection, not just selling a product, but making sure every guest feels welcomed and seen. I got a behind-the-scenes look at how leadership styles shape store culture and how customer obsession drives everything here.

As a Digital Arts major passionate about branding and consumer experience, this week gave me so much to think about. From the top-level leadership to the sales associate team, Coach continues to set a gold standard for what people-first leadership looks like in action.

Week 4 reminded me why I’m here, not just to learn, but to be inspired.

Week 3 of my internship at Coach was packed with exciting new learnings and meaningful experiences that gave me a deeper look into the business side of retail.

One of the highlights was diving into business metrics and KPIs. We were introduced to Coach’s Flash Dashboard, a powerful tool that tracks all the essential data for retail performance: total sales, year-over-year comparisons, traffic, conversion, productivity, and more. It was fascinating to see how much you can learn from numbers when you know where to look. We discussed how to translate these metrics into actionable insights, such as identifying growth opportunities or shaping sales strategies. We also learned how to deliver a weekly business recap, including inventory evaluation, top-selling products, and what customers are asking for in-store.

We had an amazing call with the Head of Digital Innovation at Tapestry, who walked us through the company’s Omni Channel Strategy. She emphasized the importance of starting with the right questions when working with data and explained how great insights come from thoughtful analysis and clear expectations. She also introduced us to Tapestry’s digital vision, a platform designed to power brand growth and connect with customers wherever they are.

One of the most exciting parts of the conversation was the discussion around AI. From 360-degree product videos to interactive content, we learned how AI is reshaping customer experience, along with the challenges it brings, like maintaining authenticity and protecting data. As a Digital Arts major passionate about user experience, this resonated deeply with me.

Outside of our learning sessions, I spent time conducting interviews for my final intern project. I focused on Gen Z consumers to understand how they engage with Coach on social media and how they connect with the brand. Their insights are forming the foundation of my project and it’s been incredibly eye-opening.

All in all, it was a productive, inspiring, and intellectually rich week!