Management major hones HR skills through competitive Home Depot internship

By Gil Pound

A s the world's largest home improvement retailer, The Home Depot boasts a highly competitive summer internship program with tens of thousands of college students vying for valuable career-readying experiences each year.

Out of over 24,000 applicants, less than 1% landed a role with the company this summer. Georgia College & State University senior management major Mia Morrow was one of the select few. Over 11 weeks she honed her skills and gained new ones as part of the corporate human resources process and strategy team.

Morrow said The Home Depot recently shifted to a new employee timekeeping system. With approximately 475,000 associates spread across more than 2,300 retail locations, implementation can be tricky. Morrow's team was tasked with change management, taking a structured approach to guide a smooth transition. Focus groups were tapped across Home Depot's national footprint and the feedback gathered helped create a strategic three-pronged solution to tackle inefficiencies. Strong communication was paramount throughout the process.

"During my internship I met so many people with a lot of different personalities and communication styles," said Morrow, a native of Peachtree City, Georgia. "I learned the art of the follow-up and how to talk to people. I know those experiences will be really valuable for my future career."

Morrow felt prepared for her internship thanks to her involvement in Georgia College Leadership Programs, including GEM. GEM, or Georgia Education Mentorship, is a one-of-a-kind partnership between GCSU and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce that matches students with senior state leader mentors.

"Leadership Programs have built my critical thinking to where I can analyze a problem or conversation to move toward an efficient solution," Morrow said. "I think that was really useful in my Home Depot internship."

Morrow also was chair of the Council of Student Ambassadors - one of her favorite things to do on campus - for the spring 2026 semester. She is in the John E. Sallstrom Honors College and has served as a campus tour guide. Her internship with The Home Depot is yet another feather in her cap - and on her resume - as she nears graduation.

"Home Depot is an incredible place to work and I'm so grateful to have had this opportunity and the experience," she said. "It was all-around awesome."

Header Image: Mia Morrow, far right, spent 11 weeks interning with Home Depot this summer. The senior was selected from thousands of applicants. (Photo: Mia Morrow, Home Depot)