Magelee Delgado, a senior majoring in business analytics at Florida Polytechnic University, is spending her summer as a purchasing intern at Publix Super Markets’ Lakeland, Florida, headquarters.
Senior Magelee Delgado is spending her summer maximizing a remarkable career opportunity that could define her professional future.
The Florida Polytechnic University business analytics major is working for grocery giant Publix Super Markets as a purchasing analyst intern at the company’s Lakeland, Florida, headquarters. It is the first step in what she hopes will be a long career with the company.
“I’m excited to be here and hope to build my career here,” said Delgado, who is working in the company’s manufacturing, supply, and purchasing department. “My job is to assist sourcing managers with completing category reviews for Publix private label brands.”
Delgado is currently reviewing two products sold in Publix stores, evaluating their suppliers and working to ensure they are offering the best price, quality, and service.
“It’s a really great feeling because when I walk into Publix and I see these items, I’ll know they’re there in part because I went through the entire process to source the product and make sure we got the best product on the shelf,” said Delgado, from Lake Alfred, Florida.
This is Delgado’s second internship while at Florida Poly. She worked for W.S. Badcock Corp. last summer.
“I would 100% recommend that students do as many internships as they can,” Delgado said. “You will look even better to employers.”
Justin Calabrese, senior sourcing and contracts manager at Publix, said Delgado hit the ground running in her new position.
“She’s very sharp. I can give her something to do and let her run with it,” he said. “I feel comfortable giving her a task and not having to stand over her shoulder and make sure she’s doing it right.”
Delgado said she is grateful for the experience and will be working hard all summer to learn as much as possible.
“I’m getting a lot of professional growth out of this – I’m working directly with suppliers, who you need to be assertive – but very professional and respectful – with,” she said. “I’m getting hands-on experience and taking what I’ve learned in the classroom and applying it myself to a real corporation.”
Delgado said she was elated when she earned her internship spot because she hopes to one day work for the company full time.
“I’ve always said whatever organization I join, I want it to be a place where my values align with theirs,” she said. “Being a company that prides itself on quality service, doing the right thing, and being the best of the best while serving others is a big thing to me, so Publix having their headquarters here, in Polk County, is kind of perfect for me.”
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Lydia Guzmán
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