Muhlenberg athletes are spending the summer of 2026 enjoying fantastic experiences on campus, in their hometowns, across the country, and even around the world.

Men's lacrosse player Luke West, a finance major and business administration minor, came away with a clearer picture of his career path after interning at Rakuten Advertising in Manhattan.

This summer, I worked as a business development representative intern for Rakuten Advertising in Manhattan, New York. My role was focused on driving new business with enterprise clients. I wanted this internship because I knew I enjoyed client-facing roles, so the opportunity to join a global company and getting to see how real-world partnerships launch was a no brainer.

Getting a real feel for NYC and working right next to Union Square park was awesome. The train + subway commute could be tedious, but part of what made the experience worthwhile. As for the work itself, Rakuten Advertising provided the opportunity to learn a number of technical and soft skills necessary to succeed in the workforce, while communicating with enterprise level clients on a regular basis. 

My coursework in finance and business administration at Muhlenberg provided the lens through which I viewed every project, and I'm incredibly grateful to the professors who pushed me to think critically about market dynamics. Their mentorship helped me bridge the gap between theory and fast-moving reality of a global firm like Rakuten. Utilizing data was a contributing factor in my success with prospects, and I appreciate Professor Richard Booser for emphasizing its importance in business with the encyclopedia of stories he seems to possess.

I appreciate the fact that this internship did not revolve around shadowing, but rather being given the opportunity to perform my own outreach. Connecting with prospects to address a need for their exposure and growth, I enjoyed offering advertising solutions. The most satisfying aspect of the work itself was when I prospected accounts, made contact, and was able to push that relationship forward to drive a series of meetings.

What I most enjoyed about my internship experience was fostering new relationships with both my peers and superiors in the office. College is a bubble, and it doesn't teach you how to talk with seasoned professionals about the Celtics' terrible offseason trade or the perpetual rebuilding phase of my Washington Commanders. Having that rapport is more important than one might think. Credit to [Assistant Athletic Trainer] Sean Morse for keeping me on my toes with the banter!

This experience has been tremendous for my professional growth. The skills I learned: outbound communications, data hygiene, lead qualification, and CRM management, serve as a strong foundation for my career going forward. With the responsibilities I had this summer, I now have the confidence to know exactly how to drive impact, regardless of the task I face.

I'm walking away with a much clearer picture of my career path and, perhaps most importantly, a much better understanding of how to turn a cold contact into a conversation.

pictured above: West (left) with fellow intern Joe McGonigle, a rising senior at Princeton