Powering a Global Brand: A Marketing Student’s 7-Eleven Co-op Experience

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What is great about your co-op?

Working for 7-Eleven has been an incredible experience. Despite being such a large company, the culture is welcoming, collaborative, and filled with mentors who genuinely want to see you grow. My favorite part of the internship was definitely the travel. I’m naturally restless and love juggling multiple projects at once, so visiting stores all across New York State—and even taking trips to headquarters in Texas—kept me energized and on my feet.

I made it a priority to learn from everyone I could, from cashiers on the front lines to the Chief Marketing Officer. Some of my standout meetings included conversations with the Director of 7-Eleven’s in-house agency, the social media team, and the head of their clothing line, 7-Collection. These experiences gave me a well-rounded look into how different parts of the company come together to build one of the most recognizable brands in the world.

One of my biggest projects was the Retail Initiative Project at a major Syracuse store. I was given responsibility for managing all vault inventory, streamlining non-carry items, and driving sales growth. To do this, I relied heavily on data analysis through 7-Eleven’s proprietary systems as well as Power BI, which allowed me to evaluate performance and make evidence-based recommendations.

Another highlight was working with vendors from iconic brands like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Frito-Lay. Sitting in on discussions about large-scale distribution and marketing strategies gave me a behind-the-scenes look at how partnerships drive success in retail.

In what ways has Saunders/RIT prepared you for the job market?

My coursework at Saunders prepared me to thrive in this role. Classes like Consumer Behavior, Operations Management, and Business Data Analytics gave me the tools to understand forecasting, brand reputation, and consumer decision-making. I was able to directly apply these concepts when analyzing sales data, managing supply chain challenges, and thinking from the customer’s perspective.

Why did you decide to attend Saunders College of Business at RIT?

I chose Saunders because of its strong focus on entrepreneurship. Being apart of programs like the Kozel Start-Up Program align perfectly with my Applied Entrepreneurship minor, giving me space to build and test my own ventures. Interestingly, I saw this entrepreneurial spirit echoed at 7-Eleven. Their franchise model attracts ambitious entrepreneurs from all over the world, allowing people to build their own version of the “American Dream” with the company’s support.

What do you feel is the most distinctive advantage gained from your Saunders experience?

Saunders, combined with my extracurricular involvement, uniquely prepared me for this co-op. Leading organizations like the Personal Finance Club and the Black Artists & Records Society taught me how to guide teams, develop marketing strategies, and solve problems creatively while balancing multiple priorities. These leadership and organizational skills transferred directly to my work at 7-Eleven, where multitasking, communication, and innovation were essential.

View More: See Joshua's experience with RIT in LA