From pastries to promotions: Elaina Lee’s path to food marketing

Elaina Lee has fond memories of spending time in the kitchen with her family. She grew up baking and knew she wanted to make a career of it. In the spring of 2015, she received two diplomas—one from her high school and the other from Washtenaw Community College with an associate’s degree in culinary arts and hospitality management. After graduation, Lee worked in a bakery but began to realize that she did not want to pursue becoming a pastry chef after all. Lee returned to Washtenaw Community College, where an advisor helped her to find a new career path after putting her in touch with the owner of Al Dente Pasta Company.

Finding her passion with Al Dente

When Lee met with the owner, she was practically hired on the spot. Throughout her internship, the owner worked closely with Lee as she learned new skills and supported her as she worked independently on the various tasks she was expected to accomplish.

Lee had a lot of different responsibilities during her internship with Al Dente. Each week she was given a grocery budget and was asked to create pasta recipes with specific flavors in mind. She also updated the recipes already on the website to be more consistent and with better quality photographs. Her culinary background allowed her to really flourish in these tasks. In addition to recipe creation and modification, she also managed Al Dente’s social media platforms. Lee would update the pages with different activities Al Dente participated in. For example, if she went to a farmer’s market for recipe ingredients she would post a photo with the location to social media.

Going gold and discovering opportunities

During her internship, Lee gained many valuable skills and solidified her interest in food marketing. Upon transferring to the Haworth College of Business, she realized that food marketing is a unique program where a degree can open hundreds of different doors. Lee is excited for all of the experiences that are available in the food marketing field. She appreciates that the industry is constantly changing and there is always an opportunity to get involved and learn new things.

Getting involved

As the director of sponsorship and donations for the WMU Food Marketing Association, Lee is able to greatly expand her opportunities for development and networking. Each semester she attends professional event workshops and has the chance to connect with other students in her program as they gain internships and employment with companies who recruit from the Haworth College of Business. The Food Marketing Association has given her incredible exposure to companies and executives in her field.

The Haworth College of Business offers countless opportunities for students to get the most out of their college experience. “We are so busy sometimes that it is difficult to do everything we should. Our professors have a great deal of knowledge and many professional connections. Participating in classes and going to office hours makes a difference, not only in  grades but in connections and experiences.”

Looking ahead

Lee has a lot to look forward to in the future. In January 2018, she started a year-long category management internship at the Kellogg Company and she is excited for the opportunity to learn and grow in this position. She also plans to study abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia, in May 2018. As she gets closer to finishing her degree, Lee is continuing to find ways to add depth and value to her college experience. Her interest in taking on challenges and learning new things has opened many doors for her and will continue to provide her opportunities as she nears graduation.

Our most powerful recruiting tool: You!

Almost one-third of alumni who read our publications recommend Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business to a prospective student.

Refer a student