Hi there! My name is Steven Ibrahim, and I'm a rising senior at the University of Kansas majoring in marketing and minoring in data analytics. I'm also pursuing a certificate in professional selling and enjoy being involved in student-led organizations across campus.

For the past two months, I've had the opportunity to work as a marketing intern at Basys. In that short time, I've learned how classroom concepts translate into real business decisions, built relationships with an incredible team and gained confidence in my ability to contribute in a professional setting.

My internship at a glance

A few things I'll take with me from this experience:

• Turning marketing data into actionable insights
• Learning how competitor research informs strategy
• Presenting recommendations to a professional team
• Building relationships with mentors and peers
• Growing more confident as a communicator and contributor

What made me choose Basys?

I was drawn to Basys for two reasons.

First, the marketing felt innovative and current with where the industry is headed. As someone studying both marketing and analytics, I wanted to be somewhere I could learn, grow and see how those disciplines work together in a real business environment.

Second, after touring the office, I could tell Basys had something special. The open layout felt collaborative, welcoming and built around connection. It seemed like a place where people genuinely enjoyed working together.

Even after a relatively short time here, Basys has exceeded my expectations for what an internship experience could be.

What I learned at Basys

Turning data into decisions

One of the most valuable experiences during my internship was working with real performance data from our email marketing campaigns.

Concepts I had previously encountered in the classroom suddenly became much more meaningful when I could see the results firsthand. I compiled data, identified trends and analyzed how our metrics compared to industry benchmarks over time.

Seeing data move from spreadsheets to actual business decisions helped me better understand the role analytics plays in marketing strategy.

Learning how strategy comes together

I also spent time researching how competitors structure and execute their marketing campaigns.

That research gave me valuable insight into paid media strategy and helped me identify areas where Basys could continue strengthening its own efforts. More importantly, it helped me understand how companies use research to make informed decisions rather than relying on assumptions.

Building confidence through presentations

One skill I didn't expect to develop as quickly as I did was communication.

Presenting my findings to the marketing team challenged me to clearly communicate ideas, explain my recommendations and answer questions about my work. Those experiences helped me become more confident sharing my perspective in a professional environment.

"Don't overthink your interactions. Be a sponge and apply yourself."

Culture, mentorship and meaningful connections

One of the most rewarding parts of my internship has been the relationships I've built along the way.

From the beginning, the marketing team made me feel included and supported. Their willingness to answer questions, share advice and involve me in meaningful work helped me grow both professionally and personally.

At Basys, family is woven into the culture. One example that stood out to me was seeing CEO Brad Oddo's parents actively connected to the workplace. His father, Frank, will sometimes walk through the office handing out donuts or peaches to employees. Small moments like that may seem simple, but they say a lot about the kind of culture that exists here. 

Another person who made a significant impact on my experience was Katie Damgar, manager of growth marketing and campaign strategy. From my first day, she made me feel welcome, structured my internship around my goals and took the time to answer every question I had. Her guidance helped turn this internship into a truly meaningful experience.

Intern spotlight

This summer, Basys hosted 13 interns across marketing, sales, finance, product integrations and human resources. While each of us had different responsibilities, we all had the opportunity to contribute to real projects and gain hands-on experience.

Jackson Stewart, Sales Intern

"The most unique thing about Basys is the people and culture. People here want you to succeed and won't hesitate to help you when you ask."

Biggest lesson learned: How to effectively prospect and manage a sales pipeline.

Lauren Selke, Human Resources Intern

"What makes the Basys internship unique is how it sets students up for success by teaching us how to dress, behave and communicate in a corporate environment, all while maintaining a culture that feels genuine and supportive."

Both of their experiences reflect what I felt throughout my own internship: Basys creates opportunities for interns to learn real-world skills while building confidence and meaningful connections.

My advice for future interns

If you're preparing for an internship, here's the advice I'd give after my summer at Basys:

• Ask questions
• Build relationships early
• Get comfortable being uncomfortable
• Be open to feedback
• Take every project seriously
• Focus on learning as much as possible

One thing I wish I had known before starting is that feeling uncomfortable at first is completely normal. New environments can be intimidating, but I've learned that most growth happens when you're willing to lean into that discomfort.

As I became more comfortable, I realized how valuable relationships are throughout the learning process. The people around you can become some of your greatest resources if you're willing to engage, ask questions and learn from their experiences.

At Basys, interns have the opportunity to work with real company data, clients and executives. If you take advantage of those opportunities, you'll be surprised by how much you can learn in a short amount of time.

Looking back

I would recommend the Basys internship to any student interested in business, marketing, sales, finance or technology.

As the company continues to evolve, it offers interns the chance to learn, contribute and grow alongside experienced professionals across a variety of disciplines.

My time here has given me valuable industry experience, taught me lessons I'll carry throughout my career and introduced me to relationships that have made a lasting impact on my growth.

Thank you, Team Basys, for welcoming us this summer.