For most Penn State students, summer means a break from classes, early mornings, and long workouts. For Katie Dallas, a senior English major and member of Penn State’s track and field team, it brought something entirely different.

Dallas spent her summer thousands of miles away from Happy Valley, trading in her running shoes for a job at Nike’s headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. 

Dallas earned a spot in the Chapel Executive Internship Program, which provides funding to Penn State students in the Liberal Arts College. The program led her to her dream internship at Nike, a company she had admired for years.

While at school, Dallas is a member of Penn State’s track and field team. Balancing training with professional responsibilities demanded remarkable discipline and countless early mornings.

“There’s no offseason,” Dallas said. “Even in the summer, I was waking up at 5:30 in the morning to run before work. Each week, I ran about 65 to 70 miles.”

Her commitment to both her sport and career highlights the determination and time management skills that have helped define her college experience.

Over the summer, Dallas loved the supportive culture at Nike.

“The environment there was so centered around people,” she said. “It wasn’t just about working to live. Everyone was genuinely so passionate and loved what they did.”

With an acceptance rate of just 0.3%, summer internships at Nike’s headquarters are some of the most competitive in the country, but Dallas was determined.

“I actually applied last year and didn’t get it,” she said. “So this year, I came in super prepared. I did my research on company reports, wrote out answers for every possible question. I even looked up my interviewers. I wanted to understand Nike’s voice and make sure they knew what I could bring to the table.”

Her persistence paid off when she joined Nike’s Purpose Communications team, a group that helps connect the company’s mission to its people and communities. Here, she helped revamp the company’s “Mission” page and contributed to its “Great Place to Work” and “People, Planet, Play” initiatives.

“My team was working on how Nike talks about sustainability, supply chain, the future of youth sports, and DEI,” she explained. “I got to help shape the language for that, picking out what would catch the attention of a younger audience.”

She helped bring media outlets and influencers, including YouTuber and basketball content creator Jesser [Jesse Riedel], to the Nike campus for events and campaigns designed to showcase the company’s values in action. Her responsibilities included assisting with logistics like clearance forms, coordinating activities, and collaborating with teams to ensure a seamless guest experience.

Beyond learning the ins and outs of a global brand, Dallas said the experience helped her find confidence in her voice.

“I used to feel like I had to pick one lane: athlete or creative,” she said. “But this internship showed me I don’t have to choose. I can be both.”

Her advice for other Penn State students is simple: “Do your research and be passionate,” she said. “Interviewers can tell when you really care. Don’t count yourself out, even if it’s competitive. Go for it.”

As she heads into her final year at Penn State, Dallas said her experience at Nike has completely shifted her perspective.

“This internship taught me that your major doesn’t define your career,” she said. “If you’re passionate, prepared, and willing to take a chance on yourself, you can make anything happen.”