The Home Depot Internship: HBCU Students Share Their Experience

This year, more than 200 students will complete an Home Depot internship. Between learning and working on meaningful projects with professional teams, interns also receive exclusive opportunities like career development sessions, networking, mentorship, game days and more.  

For interns currently studying at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), their program included a July lunch and learn with Home Depot leaders who are also HBCU alumni. Of the interns in attendance, we interviewed three to get their perspective.  

“I thoroughly enjoyed the HBCU Lunch and Learn,” says Jaimie Crawford, an indirect procurement intern studying psychology at Spelman College. “For me, it was an opportunity to decompress and enjoy the company of my fellow HBCU family. I felt empowered to be around leaders in the company who share a similar experience.”  

HBCU alumni included leaders from technology, human resources, operations, merchandise, home services and more. Before the event concluded, each intern was matched with a mentor.  

“I was paired with Zenna, and she’s been amazing in the mentorship process,” says Shaymon Thompson, a supply chain transportation intern pursuing business administration at Clark Atlanta University. “I think the key to a successful internship is being coachable and being able to grow. Different challenges may arise, but that’s usually where the growth happens.”  

For Christine Fasuyi, a supply chain fulfillment intern majoring in supply chain management at Clark Atlanta University, events like the lunch and learn are opportunities that can’t be missed. “I try to attend all sessions that are provided,” she shares. “You can never have too much exposure.” 

To support educational institutions like HBCUs, The Home Depot created the Retool Your School Campus Improvement Grant Program in 2009. To date, the program has provided more than $3.1 million for 87% of the nation’s HBCUs.

To learn more about The Home Depot’s internship opportunities, visit https://careers.homedepot.com/students-internships/.