For Luke Yang, a recent Media graduate of Kennesaw State University, stepping out of college and into the workforce was both an exciting and daunting transition. Like many students preparing to graduate, Luke turned his attention to internships, applying for programs that could give him hands-on work experience. In the summer of 2024, he landed an internship with Inspire.
“From day one, I felt so lucky to be here,” says Luke. “I knew I would gain experience working for a restaurant company, but you don’t really understand the opportunities at Inspire until you arrive. It was so much bigger than I ever thought it would be.”
With Media classes under his belt and a creative portfolio showcasing his skillset, Luke accepted a Multimedia Marketing internship on the Talent Acquisition (TA) team. “I had this preconceived notion that corporate life would be boring and dull, but Inspire proved me wrong,” laughs Luke. “My manager brought me into numerous projects, making sure I felt heard and supported. I had creative freedom from the very beginning.”
Over the course of his 10-week internship, Luke participated in everything from Q&As with leadership to on-site restaurant tours, remarking how “approachable” everyone was. “We had regular lunches with leadership, including the CEO and CFO, but we were also encouraged to have coffee chats with any team we’d like to learn more about. And I realized – as people listened to our questions and shared their career journeys – that I could also be my authentic self here.”
When the summer ended, Luke knew there was still so much more to learn. “I wasn’t ready to leave. I talked to my manager, and she offered me an internship extension.” For the next six months, Luke connected with team members across the company while growing his creative skills on numerous projects. “That’s when I connected with the Jimmy John’s team.”
When his internship ended, Luke began freelancing as a video production assistant while keeping an eye on Inspire. After a few months, a position opened for a Jimmy John’s Brand Activations Specialist – and Luke immediately reached out. “I couldn’t believe the amount of support I received. My old TA team gave me so much advice about next steps, and the Jimmy John’s team remembered me from our coffee chats. In the end, I got exactly what I was looking for: a role I really wanted within my major.”
Now a full-time team member, Luke has immersed himself in brand projects and campaigns. Through it all, he says the culture and opportunities that originally drew him in are just as compelling today as they were when he first began his Inspire journey.
“No matter what you want to do, everyone here is so supportive,” shares Luke. “Inspire wants you to be yourself, no matter where that is in the organization.”
Inspire’s Internship Program invites young professionals to experience the restaurant industry through roles across the company. To learn more about our interns and their experiences at Inspire this summer, watch Inspire’s Instagram and follow us on LinkedIn.
Interested in a career with Inspire and our brands? Visit Our Careers Website.
