Marketing allergy-friendly Abe’s Muffins
Joshua Powers '28
- From: Orchard Park High School, near Buffalo, NY
- Major: Business, Artificial Intelligence, & Innovation
- Internship: Marketing & data strategy for Abe’s Muffins in West Nyack, New York
- My projects: Data science, social media management, and community outreach projects
One cool experience?
One of the coolest moments was helping to design and analyze a digital campaign that boosted engagement across multiple platforms. It was exciting to see real-time data confirm that the strategies I contributed to were actually working, and even more rewarding to see how those results supported the brand’s growth.
How has this experience changed you?
This internship gave me a much deeper appreciation for how many moving parts go into running and scaling a business. I’ve learned to see business not just from the lens of a student or entrepreneur, but also from the perspective of a team member inside an established company. It’s made me more adaptable, detail-oriented, and motivated to keep building skills that bridge technology, marketing, and strategy.
What is your favorite muffin?
My favorite muffin is Abe's banana chocolate chip mini muffin. They’ve been a family favorite for years and always remind me why I was so excited to intern with the company in the first place.
Favorite part of the internship?
It’s a truly special experience to work for a company that my sister and I have admired and supported as loyal consumers for years. Both of us know personally the life-threatening challenges of food allergies and I appreciate that the company uses a dedicated facility free from dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, sesame, and pea protein.
One of the most eye-opening realizations I’ve had is how every area of expertise — from marketing and operations to product development and customer engagement — plays a crucial role in keeping a business running and growing. From leading my own startup venture (SafetyZone) to contributing as both an intern and a partner in various organizations, I’ve had the unique privilege of seeing business operations from multiple perspectives. Each role has offered its own challenges and insights, and together they’ve shaped how I understand leadership, collaboration, and growth.
Tips for interning?
If I could offer one piece of advice to anyone interning, it would be this: Prioritize relationships. Take every opportunity to connect with people in your field, learn from them, and make an impression. Building a strong network isn’t just helpful, it’s a really foundational piece to finding your place and purpose in any industry. Make it something you truly have a passion for in life because you’ll be doing it for a long time.