Sorrell College student makes lasting impact on Walmart during summer internship at Brundidge-based Distribution Center 7019

For Troy University Sorrell College of Business student Katherine Gorton, a summer internship with Walmart provided more than hands-on experience in supply chain management.

a girl standing in front a Walmart sign — Katherine Gorton made improvements at the Walmart DC in Brundidge where she was an intern over the summer.

It gave her an opportunity to develop and implement an improvement project and present her work to Walmart leaders at the company’s Home Office in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Gorton, who served as a Supply Chain Area Manager intern at Walmart’s Distribution Center 7019 in Brundidge, spent nine weeks studying the facility’s dry shipping dock. Her work included conducting time-and-motion studies and gathering insights from associates who work directly with the processes she was evaluating.

“Katherine came highly regarded, and we were excited to welcome her as an intern. We had high expectations, but she truly overdelivered,” said Bill Ross, the general manager of Walmart Distribution Center 7019. “She completed a fantastic internship project, and we are very proud of her contributions to our team’s success and overall efficiency.”

Her Internship Capstone Project focused on improving dry shipping dock flow.

“From that work, I developed a four-phase redesign and was fortunate enough to implement Phase 1 during my internship,” Gorton said.

At the conclusion of her internship, Gorton returned to Walmart’s Home Office in Bentonville to present her project and proposed redesign to supply chain executives, senior leaders, directors and fellow interns.

“Presenting my project and proposed redesign to Walmart Supply Chain executives, senior leaders and directors, fellow interns, and others was an opportunity of a lifetime and an experience I will never forget,” she said.

While the project provided Gorton with an opportunity to apply what she has learned in the classroom to a real-world supply chain operation, she said the experience also reinforced the importance of collaboration.

a group of summer interns — Katherine Gorton represented Troy University’s Sorrell College of Business during a summer internship with Walmart.

“I’m incredibly proud of this project, but it would not have been possible without the people who answered my countless questions, shared their knowledge, challenged my ideas, and helped bring the project to life,” Gorton said.

One of Gorton’s biggest takeaways from the internship was the importance of listening to the people who know a process best.

“This summer taught me so much about supply chain and continuous improvement, but one of my biggest takeaways was the value of listening to and learning from the people closest to the work,” she said. “As I’ve learned, success starts with a great team.”

Gorton said she is grateful for the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience while working alongside a team that supported her throughout the internship.

“I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity and for everyone who made this summer such a meaningful experience and my project a success,” she said.

She also credited her colleagues at DC 7019 for their encouragement, including supporting her during her capstone presentation.

“A special shoutout to my team at DC 7019 for being the best cheerleaders and watch party during the presentation call,” Gorton said. “I couldn’t ask for a better support system!”