By Laine Brennan, Marketing Major, UPIC Intern for the Department of Marketing, Class of 2026
When I began searching for an internship, I knew I wanted an experience that would challenge me professionally while giving me exposure to the fast-paced world of marketing. Thanks to the Clemson JobLink platform available through Clemson’s Center for Career and Professional Development, I landed an internship with Honeywell Intelligrated, an opportunity that proved transformative in every way.
What I didn’t anticipate, however, was just how much the Clemson alumni network would shape that journey. From a networking series to one-on-one mentorship, Clemson connections were there to guide me and provide new opportunities every step of the way.
The Honeywell-Clemson Networking Series
Shortly after starting, I was invited to join the Honeywell-Clemson Networking Series, a program for current Clemson students interning at Honeywell and recent graduates beginning their full-time careers.
Through monthly meetings, I connected with fellow Tigers across Honeywell’s various business units, learned about their roles, and asked any questions I had about the organization. The Teams channel hosting over 100 participants gave me a window into the vast range of opportunities within Honeywell.
It was here that I first met two Clemson alumni whose mentorship had a lasting impact on me: Daryl Johnson (‘92, ‘94) and Hannah Roberts (‘17).
Mentorship from a Global Marketing Director
One of the first people to reach out to me when I arrived at Honeywell was Daryl Johnson, the Global Marketing Director for Honeywell’s Smart Energy and Thermal Solutions business unit. Despite his demanding role, which involves leading global teams in product and service marketing, demand generation, sales enablement, and competitive intelligence, he had heard I was a Clemson student and generously offered to meet with me, which we proceeded to do multiple times during the course of my internship.
Daryl welcomed me warmly and consistently encouraged me to share updates on my internship projects. He also participated in my Ideal Customer Persona project, where I interviewed internal stakeholders to explore how Honeywell teams could optimize cross-functional collaboration.
Daryl credits much of his professional confidence to skills he first developed at Clemson. With a degree in Architecture Design and a master’s in City and Regional Planning, he spent countless hours preparing and presenting architectural projects.
“It was emotional, because though I’d poured hours into this work, I had to learn how to take feedback on something deeply personal,” he recalled. “Those presentations taught me resilience and how to communicate with impact.”
He explained that public speaking, visual communication and balancing ideas so that nothing overpowered the message continue to shape his approach to marketing leadership today.
When asked what advice he would give to Clemson students preparing for internships or their first jobs, Daryl pointed to the character traits of curiosity, technical competence and, most importantly, mindset. “Employers look for team players who are positive, engaging, and willing to keep learning,” he said. “You don’t need to be a data scientist, but you do need a real understanding of data patterns and the customer journey. AI can help, but it won’t replace strong fundamental knowledge of data-driven marketing.”
Learning from a Customer Marketing Manager
I also connected with Hannah Roberts, a Customer Marketing Manager in Honeywell’s Productivity Solutions and Services business unit. She began her Honeywell career in channel marketing before stepping into her current role, where she focuses on demand generation, sales enablement and managing pre- and post-event strategies for major industry conferences.
Hannah welcomed me with the same enthusiasm, meeting with me to share insights about her role and career journey. A graduate in graphic communications with minors in business administration and packaging science, she credited Clemson for preparing her with both creative and strategic skills.
When reflecting on how she developed these invaluable skills, Hannah pointed to one professor whose influence left a lasting impression on her. Known for his tough but high-standard teaching style, he emphasized professionalism, personal branding, and effective presentation skills. “He was very tough, but in the best way,” Hannah said. “I still think about his feedback every time I update my LinkedIn or prepare a presentation.”
His lessons on crafting engaging hooks, maintaining polished professionalism, and managing personal branding are principles that Hannah continues to apply in her career.
She also highlighted the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and trust-building, which she developed through Clemson’s group projects and internships. “Working with people of different backgrounds taught me how to adjust my approach and build trust,” she said. “That’s exactly what I do now at Honeywell, working cross-functionally with sales, creative and global teams.”
Her advice for students entering the workforce was clear: do your research, show enthusiasm and demonstrate that you’re coachable. Employers want to see not only skills but also a driven mindset and the ability to grow within the role.
My Own Internship Journey
With guidance from alums like Daryl and Hannah, and the support of my incredible manager, I was able to take on more than 10 diverse projects during my internship. These ranged from campaign management and execution to A/B testing, competitor analysis, sales enablement and more.
Each project built my skills and confidence, and I found myself drawing on lessons from my Clemson marketing courses. The blend of technical knowledge, professional preparation and alumni mentorship from Clemson made me feel equipped to take on challenges in a city I had never lived in before, doing work I had never done before.
The Power of the Clemson Connection
What struck me most throughout this experience was how strongly the Clemson network shows up for its own. Whether it was alumni taking time from their busy schedules to mentor me, or classmates cheering me on from afar, I always felt supported.
“There’s an instant connection when you meet another Clemson grad,” Hannah said. “It feels like a family, and alums are always willing to support each other.”
That sense of family is exactly what I experienced at Honeywell. Clemson not only gave me the tools I needed to succeed in marketing, but also connected me to people who made me feel right at home.
As I look ahead to my career, I know one thing for certain: the lessons, relationships, and support I gained through Clemson will continue to guide me for years to come.
