Story by Lauren Duffel
As graduation approaches, Ryan Martinez (Communications Studies; 2025; McMinnville, OR) isn’t just celebrating the end of his college journey; he’s reflecting on an internship experience that changed the game. During his junior year, Martinez actively sought opportunities to enhance his skills in sales and management, ultimately discovering a transformative three-month internship with Sherwin-Williams. This role presented a significant challenge: “How can we increase the residential paint market while fostering long-lasting partnerships with contractors to transform transactional interactions into meaningful relationships?”
Through this pivotal experience, Martinez sharpened his communication abilities and left a lasting mark by bringing fresh ideas and innovative solutions that transformed company operations. His journey is a testament to the power of hands-on experience, demonstrating that the right internship can serve as a launchpad for real impact while highlighting his unique perspective as a Communication Studies major. This experience proves that a degree in communications can lead to career opportunities in any field.
Martinez was part of a diverse group of four interns from various universities, including Boise State, College of Wooster, Florida State and BYU Idaho. The mix of backgrounds fostered a collaborative environment, allowing each member to bring unique perspectives to the table.
Martinez’s hands-on experience at Sherwin-Williams not only offered valuable insights into daily store operations but also allowed him to collaborate with executives during weekly visits to the district office, enhancing his understanding of the company’s goals.
Initially a daunting challenge turned into a breakthrough. Surveying three stores and 83 respondents, interns uncovered a game changing need for bid assistance and technical support. They launched “Sherwin-Williams Role Play,” an AI-powered training tool offering real time feedback and lifelike customer interactions, empowering employees like never before.
“The goal was to create something revolutionary that would genuinely meet the needs of both employees and customers,” Martinez explained. The platform’s AI component could evolve over time, continuously improving with new data and customer interactions.
The idea garnered attention from Sherwin-Williams executives, including the Director of Innovation, who praised it as an innovative solution to a real world problem. With strong support from leadership, Martinez and his team presented their project in a corporate competition, winning first in the Western Division and leading the Midwest against hundreds of interns.
“The recognition we received was incredible,” Martinez said, reflecting on the hard work and determination his team put into their project. “We spent countless hours beyond our internship hours refining our ideas and perfecting our presentation.”
As Martinez prepares to graduate, he credits his communication studies at Boise State for equipping him with skills that significantly contributed to his success at Sherwin-Williams.
“The communications department has helped me understand how to present myself and effectively communicate with others,” he said.
Looking ahead, Martinez is eager to embark on a career in management and sales. While he has a job lined up post graduation, he remains tight-lipped about the details until everything is finalized.
In closing, Martinez emphasized the importance of perseverance.
“If you believe in your ideas, pursue them. Don’t give up when challenges arise. Hard work and determination can lead to success,” he said.
As Martinez’s journey continues, his Sherwin-Williams internship showcases the impact of experiential learning on student success. The College of Arts and Sciences supports opportunities like his to gain real world experience. His experience highlights how innovation, collaboration, and strong communication skills drive success in management and sales. Boise State University equips students with the tools, support, and real world experience needed to excel, empowering them to build meaningful careers and a future full of possibilities.