This summer, I had the unique opportunity to participate in the Idaho STEM Externship Program, where educators step out of the classroom and into other work environments. My externship placed me at Soleni Shoes, a locally owned footwear company with a flair for style—and a strong desire to expand its online presence.

As someone passionate about both STEM and digital communication, this was the perfect blend of tech and creativity.

At first glance, social media marketing might not scream “STEM,” but dive a little deeper and you’ll find plenty of analytical and strategic thinking behind every post. From understanding Pinterest algorithms to analyzing customer engagement, this externship showed me how data, design, and decision-making converge to drive real business outcomes. My primary focus was to help Soleni Shoes boost their online visibility and sales through Pinterest.

Pinterest isn’t just for mood boards—it’s a visual search engine that thrives on discovery and inspiration. We realized quickly that Soleni’s beautifully crafted orthopedic shoes were a perfect fit for the platform. I worked on creating Pin descriptions to increase visibility in searches, designing visually appealing Pins that reflect Soleni’s brand aesthetic, and analyzing metrics like impressions, saves, and link clicks to see what worked for users.

Using Pinterest, I worked with scheduling tools and engagement analytics to identify peak posting times and track audience demographics.

This externship taught me more than I ever expected. Digital marketing is data-driven. Success comes from testing, analyzing, and adapting strategies—not just pretty pictures. Small businesses benefit enormously from STEM skills. Whether it’s data analysis, design tools, or systems thinking, STEM can power growth in any industry.

The Idaho STEM Externship gave me a meaningful way to apply STEM in the real world, not just in a lab or classroom. It also gave me a chance to support a local business and watch our work make a real impact.

If you’re considering an externship, especially through a STEM lens, don’t overlook fields like marketing, design, or entrepreneurship. You might be surprised by how much STEM is hiding in plain sight.

Grade Level and Subject Taught: 7/8 Math and Science