• What It’s Like to Be a Strategy & Marketing Development Intern at 3M

    • David Otero, Business Development Strategist and former SMD program participant​

      At 3M, we're all learning, discovering, exploring and innovating together. Our internship programs allow for students to join other 3Mers on their career journey. Here’s a deeper look at the projects Strategy & Marketing Development (SMD) interns get to work on from someone who has experienced it firsthand.

      Name: David Otero

      Title: Business Development Strategist

      Education: Bachelor’s degree in English from Harvard University, MBA in Marketing and Strategy from the University of Minnesota

      Location: St. Paul, MN

      Past work experiences: Worked in the legal department for Gay Men’s Health Crisis and in digital marketing at various agencies
       

    • Why were you interested in interning for 3M and this program specifically?

      I was initially attracted to both because there would be diverse projects and a consultative aspect of the role. 

    • Describe the projects you worked on in your internship. Which was your favorite and why?

      The first project I worked on was for 3M’s Consumer Business Group (CBG), where I evaluated the storage solutions landscape, working with Consumer Insights to survey business owners and consumers to gather insights on product positioning, partnership opportunities and online targeting strategies ahead of their launch of a new storage packaging tape. 

      For another project with 3M’s Health Care Business Group (HCBG), I interviewed clinicians, nurses and employees globally to understand risks related to catheter-related bloodstream infections, antimicrobial dressing solutions and factors driving diverging preferences for adopting specific dressing solutions in healthcare settings in developed vs. developing regions.

      I loved both of my projects because I was able to interact directly with the people who use our products. It was extremely powerful to learn how we are impacting our customers’ lives.

    • What did you learn from these projects that you didn’t know before?

      For one of my projects, I interviewed several emergency room nurses who use our products daily. Through these interactions I really began to understand how emotionally taxing their work can be and the peace of mind our products provide. 

      I learned that customers, if given the opportunity, are eager to participate in very candid conversations, which oftentimes yield some little nugget of information that can turn a whole project on its head, confirm suspicions or expose a path not previously considered. I absolutely love those moments.

    • What do you think sets 3M apart from other internships or work experience you have had?

      The business challenges I worked on are real and have a real impact on our businesses. It’s exciting to see how my research is being leveraged to drive innovation and bring real solutions to market.

    • What was the most memorable part of your internship?

      Outside of the exciting project work, I have to say the most memorable part of my internship was the interactions I had with my colleagues in SMD. During the summer I interned there were BBQs, rooftop happy hours, ball games and tons of fun getting-to-know-you activities, which cemented very real friendships. 

    • Interested in an internship with 3M? Join 3M’s Talent Community and learn how your skills might be a fit at 3M when an opportunity opens up.