A Sweet Semester at Nothing Bundt Cakes!
Hi! I am Carli Sharpe, a senior Advertising major at Temple University with a concentration in Media Planning, graduating this May- I can’t believe how quickly it’s approaching!
While my concentration is in media planning, I have developed a strong passion for social media advertising and content creation. What began as a personal hobby- making short video montages of events and trips- has now grown into a clear career interest, especially within the food and beverage space.
This semester, I had the opportunity to turn that interest into hands-on experience through a marketing internship with Nothing Bundt Cakes. I worked directly with Kim Wright, who owns five franchise locations in the Philadelphia region. I also worked directly with their head of marketing, Kay Pugh, assisting her in creating content and executing marketing strategies to promote the bakeries.
One of the most inspiring aspects of my internship was working alongside an all-women executive team. Their leadership, insight, and support made my experience incredibly empowering. I was the only intern this semester, which gave me a lot of creative freedom and responsibility. I felt extremely valued and like a member of the team- my ideas were always heard and considered, which was incredibly rewarding.
Before starting this internship, I did not fully understand the difference between marketing for a franchise versus a national brand. I quickly realized that franchises must follow specific corporate guidelines- especially when it comes to marketing. Navigating the balance between promoting individual bakeries and maintaining the national brand’s voice was one of the biggest learning curves of my experience, It taught me how to be creative but strategically within certain boundaries.
With graduation a few weeks away and this wonderful experience coming to a close, my advice to anyone seeking internships is: don’t give up, and don’t be afraid to stray from your course. As a Media Planning concentration, I thought I was bound to that specific title when applying for internships. Instead, I found myself in a creative role that aligned with my true passions. The internship search can feel discouraging at times, but make sure to tap into your network- it often comes down to who you know, not just what you know!
I am so grateful for my experience with Nothing Bundt Cakes and all the insight and knowledge I will carry with me as I head into this next chapter.
