Initiative and internships shape graduate path into a successful career in the competitive industry landscape

Rochester, New York – What began as a straightforward plan to pursue a business degree slowly evolved into something far more dynamic for Makenna Davis—a journey shaped not by a single decision, but by a series of calculated risks, conversations, and moments of self-reflection. By the time she reaches graduation, Davis is not only leaving with top academic honors, but also with a clear path into one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies.

Her story is not one of luck. It is, instead, a steady build—layer by layer—driven by initiative and a willingness to adjust course when needed.

Davis, originally from Syracuse, did not start out in the field she will soon enter professionally. Like many students drawn to structure and organization, she initially chose management information systems as her major, believing it would offer a stable foundation in business. Her early academic interests reflected that choice. She had always enjoyed math and science, but it was exposure to accounting and marketing classes in high school that convinced her business was the right direction.

Still, something beneath the surface was shifting.

The turning point came not in a classroom, but during an internship. Between her second and third years, Davis joined Travelers Insurance as part of its business insights and analytics leadership development program. It was her first real step into a professional environment tied directly to her studies—and it changed how she viewed her future.

There, she encountered a simple but powerful piece of advice: if she wanted to grow in analytics, she needed a stronger mathematical foundation.

For Davis, the message landed clearly. She did not hesitate.

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Switching majors is often seen as a setback or a detour. For her, it became an acceleration point. She moved into applied statistics and data analytics, a decision that would redefine her academic focus and sharpen her long-term goals.

The transition was not made in isolation. It was informed by conversations—many of them initiated by Davis herself. Before securing the Travelers internship, she had already begun reaching out to alumni through LinkedIn, asking questions, seeking clarity, and trying to understand what different career paths actually looked like in practice.

“I had more knowledge about the company and who they are and what they value and things like that,” said Davis. “Every time I’ve spoken to alumni through LinkedIn, they’ve been really open to having a quick Zoom chat, even if it’s only for 15 minutes. A lot of people have been very helpful.”

Those short conversations, often informal and brief, became a kind of roadmap. They helped her identify opportunities, refine her interests, and approach applications with more confidence.

Yet even before stepping into a corporate internship, Davis had already started building something essential—experience, even if it did not initially seem glamorous.

During the summer after her first year, she worked in a parts warehouse. The job involved routine tasks, including processing returns and navigating internal systems. On paper, it may not have aligned perfectly with her academic ambitions. In reality, it became a critical stepping stone.

“I had these soft skills from working a full-time job, so I was able to twist all of those things into being experienced in a role,” said Davis. “That landed me a good talking point for interviewing with Travelers the next summer. You just kind of have to take the first job, even if it’s not exactly what you want, to get what you want in your second year.”

It is a philosophy that seems to define much of her progress—starting where opportunities exist, then building toward where she wants to go.

That mindset carried forward as she set her sights on Procter & Gamble, a company she had been interested in even before her Travelers internship. Timing, however, was not initially on her side. As a sophomore, she was not eligible for the internship program she wanted.

But instead of moving on, she found another way in.

Davis participated in a three-day program at the company’s headquarters in Cincinnati, essentially positioning herself early for future consideration. The experience doubled as an extended interview process—one that would not pay off immediately, but would later prove decisive.

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When the time came, she secured a summer internship with Procter & Gamble in business analytics. That experience, in turn, opened the door to a full-time role after graduation.

Now, as she prepares to relocate to Arkansas, Davis is stepping into a position that blends her academic training with real-world application at a high level.

“My specific role is a category management team information technology manager,” explained Davis. “I’ll be doing data analytics specifically for the personal care team for Walmart. I’m excited for the opportunity because it’s our biggest customer.”

The role reflects both scale and responsibility. Working with Walmart, one of the company’s largest partners, places her at the center of data-driven decision-making that directly influences major retail operations.

Still, Davis is quick to point out that her success did not come from internships alone.

Her time outside the classroom played an equally important role. Early on, she became involved in student organizations, exploring different interests before narrowing her focus. Over time, she took on leadership roles, eventually serving as president of Business and Technology Professionals and vice president of the Artificial Intelligence Club.

These experiences, she said, were more than just extracurricular activities. They taught her how to navigate team dynamics, manage responsibilities, and communicate effectively—skills that proved valuable during interviews and professional interactions.

In many ways, her college years became a testing ground—not just for academic knowledge, but for personal growth.

“I’m proud of the fact that I built my path the way I did,” said Davis. “I am thankful that I got to take from everything that I was interested in. I got the business. I got the stats. I got the AI. I got to touch everything that I wanted to touch.”

That sense of ownership stands out. Rather than following a fixed plan, Davis built her trajectory piece by piece, adapting as new information and opportunities emerged.

As she graduates summa cum laude, her story offers a clear message for others navigating similar decisions: progress does not always come from certainty. Sometimes, it comes from asking questions, taking chances, and being willing to change direction when the path ahead becomes clearer.

For Davis, that approach has already paid off—and her next chapter is just beginning.