Meet Julia So: Summer Marketing Student

Internships can be one of the most beneficial, eye-opening experiences of a college student’s education, providing the real-world experience and industry insight that are hard to replicate in a classroom. Kent Corporation is proud to be able to provide these experiences to a number of talented students through their summer internship program.

Julia So is a standout student at the University of Iowa Marketing and Business Analytics program, who was selected to join the team at Kent Pet Group to work hand-in-hand with their marketing team, expanding her skillset and gaining an insider’s view into the pet and consumer goods markets.

Gaining Valuable Insight

A creative, but analytically-minded student, Julia’s academic achievements earned her the James and Zella Cleveland Scholarship as well as the Tippie College of Business Dean’s Scholarship. She has a strong interest in market research and consumer behavior and is putting these interests to good use to help provide consumer insight to the KPG marketing team.

“I have worked on a wide variety of projects creating competitive product landscapes, updating and cleaning up databases, designing, running, and analyzing consumer surveys, conducting panels, and helping put together shelter kits,” said Julia.

Her favorite project thus far involved analyzing consumer behavior in different market segments. “Observing differences and similarities in behaviors and coming up with possible explanations for these patterns is a really engaging process,” she said.

Julia applies a similar philosophy to her life outside of work and school, focusing on activities where she can create such as drawing, playing music and embroidering — when she’s not hanging out with her pup, Leo. She describes Leo as being more like a cat: “Whenever I play the piano, he will flop down next to my bench to listen. Leo is just a very mellow dog who loves being petted.”

Reaping the Benefits

Julia’s experiences during this summer internship will not only benefit her education, but will help her thrive in her role as the Assistant Marketing Director for the University of Iowa’s Campus Activities Board, where she helps advertise and run alcohol-free social events for students and community members to enjoy.

“I am happiest when I’m expanding my horizons and challenging myself to grow,” she said. “My biggest accomplishment at Kent Pet Group is creating landscapes for different products to help scout out information for potential areas of growth and innovation. World’s Best Cat Litter™ is in tune with what its consumers are looking for and is working to develop products that address those needs as well as working to understand the consumer to anticipate future wants.”

Julia has enjoyed her time working with the World’s Best Cat Litter™ team so far. “Everyone has been so friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate,” she said. “My assignments have given me the chance to learn about so many aspects of marketing and have challenged me to think in a new way. I can see the progress I am making and that is truly exciting.”

Thanks for spending your summer with us, Julia!