Home to three Fortune 500 companies, the city of Memphis offers great access for college students to gain professional working experience through internship opportunities. Senior University of Memphis student Kilea Jenkins spent her summer at one of those three Fortune 500 companies, AutoZone.
“Initially, I heard about the internship by word of mouth from other students at the University of Memphis who were previous AutoZone interns,” Jenkins said. “After researching many internships, I was extremely interested in the AutoZone internship because it was specifically a role in talent acquisition. It is unusual to find an offering in a specific function, which only heightened the appeal.”
As a human resource management major with a minor in social justice, Jenkins internship in talent acquisition allowed her to learn all the intricacies of how a business operates. Starting her internship two months earlier than the other interns, she was able to learn the processes of welcoming a new intern cohort which included 73 interns.
“I truly do not believe I am able to verbalize and articulate the growth and opportunities I have been awarded from this internship. Not only was I helped professionally, but in all other aspects as well. I have learned how to navigate a corporate setting, the appropriate procedures and protocols, as well as making genuine connections. AutoZone’s culture is truly unlike any other organization, and everyone genuinely cares for one another and that is evident from the second you step foot into the building,” she said.
Growing up in St. Louis, Mo., Jenkins decided to pursue social justice as her minor, equating her passion for advocacy and social justice to Michael Brown. Her independent nature made choosing to go out-of-state for college a natural choice.
“As someone who grew up in St. Louis, I very much lived in the absolute middle of the Midwest. When applying to colleges, I knew I wanted to go to a different region, if I were to go out of state,” Jenkins said. “Additionally, not only is Memphis extremely diverse; the University of Memphis campus also reflects this diversity in their students and faculty. I believe the Memphis culture truly makes the city. While it is extremely different from St. Louis and I still occasionally feel homesick, I have built a new home and community in Memphis, something I never thought I would be saying.”
Jenkins’ Memphis community include her sorority. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she has held multiple leadership roles including parliamentarian, bylaws chairman, standards committee member and teller committee member. She is also a volunteer at Room in the Inn, an organization in the city that provides shelter to families experiencing homelessness. “Volunteering in my community allows me to feel as if I have a true impact on the community around me, something I especially seek because this is not my home city,” Jenkins said.
Balancing leadership roles, exams and internships, Jenkins said her morning routines which at times begin at 4 a.m., allow her to slow down and enjoy the journey. “I am the most morning person you may ever meet. I get up before 4 a.m. almost every day to go to the gym. Everyone always asks why so early, and I truly just enjoy the serenity and quiet of the mornings over the urgency and hustle of later times in the day.”
Going into her last year of college, Jenkins said she is eager to take advantage of more networking opportunities. “I am social and talkative with friends and people my age, but when it comes to professionals, I am quite nervous and, when given the choice, would rather avoid situations that make me uncomfortable. However, I recognize the importance and necessity of networking,” she said. “As a personal goal, I am looking forward to going on more trips.”
