Internship Spotlight: Mammano Builds Leadership Skills Through Wegmans Internship

When Melania Mammano began as a cashier at Wegmans, she did not expect it to lead to an internship opportunity to gain experience in the multidimensional components of store management. But after some encouragement from management to apply, the senior honors student spent her summer learning the ins and outs of store operations through Wegmans’ Store Operations Internship, rotating through departments and preparing for a leadership role within the company.

To begin the experience, she completed Service Team Leader training and rotated throughout different departments in the store. The internship provided her with a comprehensive understanding of store operations, while preparing her to support different departments as necessary.

As part of her internship, Mammano learned the role of a night manager, shadowing store operations from 4 p.m. to midnight. She addressed different situations that occurred through the shift, challenging her to take on greater responsibility, build her confidence, and oversee operations.

“It was such a fulfilling challenge to take on this responsibility and slowly feel my confidence grow as I addressed more situations that arose throughout the night,” she said. 

Mammano found that coursework from her accounting, economics, and operations courses were useful in understanding sales maximization and store performance. As she rotated through each department, she was able to apply those concepts in a real-world setting while expanding her knowledge of store operations. Beyond the professional experience, Mammano built relationships with her colleagues that elevated her experience. 

“The most rewarding part was all the relationships I built throughout the store,” she explained. “I truly felt the familial environment that Wegmans prides themselves on.”

Upon completing the internship, Mammano was offered a management trainee position in recognition of the passion and work ethic she demonstrated. She entered college unsure of her future career path, but her Wegmans experiences helped her discover the variety of management opportunities and envision a future in store leadership.

“Within each store, there are so many management opportunities that bring various challenges to the day-to-day that I 100% see myself in one day,” she explained.

For students seeking internships, Mammano’s advice is simple.

“Take advantage of every shadowing opportunity possible, and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself,” she said. “Also, do not be afraid to ask as many questions as possible.”

This article was written by Olivia Bennett, a senior marketing major, who is working as an intern in the Office of Marketing and Communications at Fisher for the 2026-2027 academic year.