When alumnus Corey Rimmel needed help with graphic design for his businesses, MizzMenus.com and Hot Box Cookies, he looked to his alma mater.
“I thought it would be a good idea for me to get ideas from people interested in (graphic design and marketing) fields,” Rimmel said.
He found that help in the form of Whitney Taryle, a business marketing and strategic communications student who was an intern for MizzMenus.com last spring. Next spring, he’s looking for interns for both Hot Box Cookies and MizzMenus.com.
“I love the concept, and knowing an MU student started the company made it that more appealing,” Taryle said.
Rimmel is again offering internships for journalism and business majors for the fall semester. Students can receive up to three credit hours and business students can meet their internship requirement.
“We believe these requirements will differentiate our students (from those of other schools), and they will be well prepared to launch their careers,” said Lynsie Steinley, the Trulaske College of Business’ Professional Development Program Director.
A graduate of the business school himself, Rimmel said he wanted to help alleviate the stress students face when finding internships.
“Since I was in the business school, I knew how hard it could be to find one,” Rimmel said. “Having these internships offered through PDP helps kids out and also helps my businesses.”
Internships are directed toward marketing and strategic communications students and involve designing graphics, marketing campaigns and promotions.
“We advertised on Facebook, worked on contacting some of the Greek chapters on campus to raise awareness of the company and promotions, and sold ad space on the actual site (MizzMenus.com), so I got to see both sides of how advertising works for a real business,” Taryle said. “Selling is a major part of the business, but my favorite part of the internship was writing press releases that were sent to local Columbia media outlets. It let me put to use skills from the J school as well as my passion for writing.”
With the number of promotions the businesses have, Taryle said she had her work cut out for her.
“Corey is always running promotions, sometimes on Facebook, other times with huge week-long promotions like ‘Eat Cheap Week,’” Taryle said.
Eat Cheap Week is one week a month in which Rimmel is able to offer specials from restaurants that offer online ordering through MizzMenus.com.
“I advertise a lot on campus and Facebook, especially when it comes to handing out flyers,” Rimmel said. “Having marketing students helping with new ideas for flyer design and layout is a huge asset.”
Last spring, only three students were offered internships. Rimmel is continuing the internship program with both of his businesses with hopes to add more students so that he can expand his companies.
“My advice for students thinking about an internship with MizzMenus or Hot Box Cookies is run with it,” Taryle said. “Corey is extremely flexible and gives you lots of room to be creative. He’d always ask for my ideas and we would bounce ideas off each other.”
