From Learner to Leader

Garrett, from Western Washington University, Summer 2025 Intern in Melbourne 

"I leave this internship not only with a stronger resume but with a stronger sense of capability and confidence.”

My internship at BlueAPACHE in Melbourne over the Summer helped me build connections and gain new experiences. My time with the company, specifically in the commercial department and working closely with the procurement team, has been deeply educational and formative. Redesigning the company’s quiz engagement strategy for the annual BASKO meeting challenged me to demonstrate initiative, creativity, and technical capability. 

The primary goal of my internship was to contribute meaningfully to the team while growing my technical and professional skills in a real-world business environment. I was expected to assist in procurement operations, support internal communication, and lead an independent project that showed initiative and creative problem-solving. I certainly tackled all this and more.

A successful internship not only upskills you, but it also teaches you! One of the most important lessons I learned during this internship is that leadership doesn’t always require a title. I was an intern, but because I brought a solution that worked and communicated it clearly, I earned the respect and attention of those around me. I understood that innovation often comes from simply asking, “Why are we doing it this way?” By questioning that norm and being willing to explore new tools, I uncovered a much stronger and more scalable solution. 

Seeing these concepts play out in a business environment gave me a whole new level of confidence in my own ability to contribute to an organization and shaped an unforgettable experience that I can share with my friends and family!