Co-Op Spotlight by Kerry Smith

As I near the end of my semester as a first rotation Digital Transformation and Technology Co-op at Chick-fil-A Support Center, I reflect on my experience and growth. Upon joining Alpha Xi Delta in Fall 2024, I found a support system of women who helped guide me through all of the novelties of freshman year, and I found that same guidance when I began the search for an internship/co-op as I entered my second year. Alpha Xi offers a resource detailing members’ current and past internship and co-op experience, which I found to be extremely helpful. I was able to reach out to so many of my sisters and not only learn about opportunities I wouldn’t have known about otherwise, but also get tips and pointers on how to prep for the interview process and clear unknowns. Upon entering my application process for Chick-fil-A, I sought guidance from Hannah Kate Cass (who was already a CFA co-op), who I, at the time, worked with on AXID’s Chapter Life team. HK is also my academic mentor, who is my source of contact for any class registration, academic planning, etc. Every sister at Alpha Xi is assigned an academic mentor, which is extremely helpful, especially at Georgia Tech. This semester, I have enjoyed working in DTT at Chick-fil-A with HK, and it has been such a full circle moment to learn from someone who has supported me in so many different ways. As an Industrial Engineering major, I was unsure of the exact path I wanted to take. CFA has given me exposure to Data Analytics, and knowing that each rotation will offer me a unique role has been really reassuring. It has allowed me to start figuring out what I enjoy, what I don’t, and how I want to navigate the professional world. I feel like I am learning so much beyond just technical skills, but also how to communicate, collaborate, and grow in a work environment. To all current and incoming students at Georgia Tech, I could not recommend co-oping more. It offers a unique opportunity to be exposed to a company in many different ways. A co-op is three semester rotations, alternating between taking classes and working, which creates a really nice balance and a way to take a break from classes while still learning so much. Additionally, living in Atlanta is ideal, with so many intern/co-op opportunities all close by. I am still able to live on campus, commute to work during the day, and come back to the Alpha Xi house for dinners every night. It has been such a rewarding experience, and I am so excited to continue growing through my next rotations.