Our eleventh summer of the Doors Internship Program is underway! Through virtual workshops, our interns work on goal-setting, networking, personal branding, and communication within their fields. We invited our interns to share their experiences this summer.

Meet Smyan Muranjan from Overland Park, Kansas! Smyan will be a junior at Purdue University, majoring in computer engineering.

What does your internship with Leggett entail? 

I am an Android Software Engineering Intern. I am working on the Adjustable Bedding Group application that controls the smart beds.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned so far during your time at Leggett?

The most valuable lesson I have learned at Leggett is the power of collaboration. I experienced firsthand how essential communication and teamwork are to a project’s success. Whether I stopped by someone’s office or had a Microsoft Teams call with them, I have never had a question unanswered.

What are your goals through your internship?

I hope to grow personally throughout this internship and step out of my comfort zone. This may take many forms, such as working on something outside of my technical skillset. I want to build my confidence in overcoming obstacles and solving complex problems.

What has been your favorite part of your internship at Leggett?

My favorite part of my internship so far has been seeing the real-world impact of my work. Unlike hypothetical scenarios or classroom assignments, my work directly influences an application that people will use every day.

How will you apply your experience this summer to your career?

My internship experience has helped me clarify my career interests and goals. By working on various projects and exploring a new area of software engineering, I am gaining a better understanding of the areas I am passionate about and where I want to focus my career.

Please join us in wishing Smyan well!

Our eleventh summer of the Doors Internship Program is underway! Through virtual workshops, our interns work on goal-setting, networking, personal branding, and communication within their fields.

Meet Lauren Dowling from Girard, Kansas. Lauren will graduate from Missouri Southern State University at the end of the summer with a major in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. She plans to attend Missouri State University in the Fall or Spring to pursue her Master’s Degree in Accountancy.

What does your internship with Leggett entail? 

My internship at Leggett is in the International Tax Department. I am currently preparing 5471 tax forms for multiple companies in other countries.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned so far during your time at Leggett?

The most valuable thing I’ve learned is the importance of connecting with coworkers.

What are your goals through your internship?

My primary goal this summer is to gain valuable experience to apply to my future pursuits. I also hope to make connections that will help me further progress in my career.

What has been your favorite part of your internship at Leggett?

I love the freedom interns have. While someone is always available to help, they give us plenty of space to learn independently with some guidance. It is also nice how flexible our hours can be and how my superiors understand and support taking fewer hours for school and life.

How will you apply your experience this summer to your career?

I had no international experience before, but my internship has opened my eyes to this field. Previously, I was sure that I wanted to work in a public setting, but now I am much more interested in corporate taxes. While I plan to keep my education generally in tax, I also will expand my opportunities to include international learning when possible. I look forward to what my future holds!

Please join us in wishing Lauren well!

Our eleventh summer of the Doors Internship Program is underway! Through virtual workshops, our interns work on goal-setting, networking, personal branding, and communication within their fields.

Meet Alex Delmore, Sustainability Intern, from Manitowoc, Wisconsin! Alex recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he majored in conservation biology and environmental studies. He also earned a certificate in sustainability.

What does your internship with L&P entail?

My internship is working closely with the Sustainability team to finalize L&P’s 2024 Sustainability Report. Likewise, I work closely with different business units to understand where emissions are coming from and our best route for limiting our impact on the environment.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned during your internship so far?

The most valuable thing I’ve learned so far is that teamwork really does make the dream work.

What are your internship goals?

I am hoping to achieve a better understanding of the inner workings of corporate sustainability and how to make large companies like L&P more sustainable.

What has been your favorite part of your internship at L&P?

My favorite part of my internship is getting to work with my amazing team!

How will you apply this experience to your career?

This experience will allow me to leave a lasting impact on making companies and corporations more sustainable so we can ensure that our world is livable for future generations.

Please join us in wishing Alex well!

Our eleventh summer of the Doors Internship Program is underway! Through virtual workshops, our interns work on goal-setting, networking, personal branding, and communication within their fields.

Meet Renee Olanda, Human Resources Intern! Renee was born and raised in the Philippines before immigrating with her family to Atlanta, Georgia. She currently attends Valdosta State University where she’s majoring in organizational leadership and minoring in public administration and political science. This fall, she’ll start her junior year.

What does your internship with L&P entail, and what are your internship goals?

My internship is a rotational program that allows me to enhance my skills in various key areas of HR, including talent acquisition; global mobility; inclusion, diversity, and equity (ID&E); and talent development.

During my internship, I’m helping revamp the L&P Careers site, which will enhance the user experience by making the site more intuitive and accessible and showcasing the company’s commitment to growth and diversity. This project allows me to apply my academic knowledge in a practical setting and allows me to contribute to the company’s strategic vision by attracting and retaining top talent.

I aim to achieve a deep, practical understanding of talent management and human resources within a global corporate setting and contribute meaningfully to L&P’s projects. I aim to apply the theories I’ve learned in my academic studies to real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Additionally, I am excited to build a robust professional network and gain mentorship from experienced leaders.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned during your internship so far?

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is the impact of working within a synchronistic team. This experience has taught me how aligned team efforts enhance project outcomes and streamline processes. Additionally, I’ve realized how important networking is – building connections with coworkers has enriched my professional experience by opening avenues for mentorship, collaboration, and personal growth.

What has been your favorite part of your internship at L&P and why?

So far, one of the most rewarding aspects of my internship has been the comprehensive exposure to different facets of talent management. However, the highlight for me has been connecting with and learning from diverse talented individuals and interns across various departments. The chance to contribute to meaningful projects has also been fulfilling.

How will you apply this experience to your career?

This summer’s internship has been enriching, bridging the gap between my academic studies and practical application, particularly in project management and strategic planning, through my involvement in revamping the company’s Careers site. The professional network I’ve built provides ongoing support and mentorship, which will be crucial as I advance in my studies and later in my career, and my exposure to L&P’s diverse and inclusive culture has profoundly shaped my approach to teamwork and leadership.

Please join us in wishing Renee well!

Twenty interns from college campuses across the United States are participating in Leggett & Platt’s Doors Summer Internship Program. Doors is a curated ten-week virtual professional development series that allows students to gain real-life experience in their field of study through immersive leadership workshops while interning either remotely or in person with one of our L&P facilities.

This summer, we have students interning in key departments such as Human Resources, IT, Engineering, Tax, Sustainability, and Finance. In addition to their department tasks, they will be participating in weekly professional development events, which include workshops on time management, goal setting, and effective communication. The students will present a final capstone project, which will help change the landscape of their department.

“The most exciting addition this summer is the implementation of the ‘Executive Speaker Series,’ where our interns will have the unique opportunity to learn from and interact with some of our leaders, such as the CFO and CHRO,” says Wences Ramirez, Campus Recruiter and Ambassador to the Doors Program. “This series will provide valuable insights into their journey, L&P’s culture, and the people that make L&P successful.”