This summer, students from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics discovered new avenues for professional preparation and practical hands-on experience. Lerner College students pursued an array of internships, externships and other professional development opportunities. From MBA scholars to undergraduates entering their second year at UD, students across a spectrum of Lerner programs shared their experiences accomplishing an assortment of projects.
Our “My Summer Internship” series highlights these unique experiences, showcasing how students translated classroom knowledge into real-world success.
Anxhela Beluli, economics Ph.D. student, spent her summer as an Economist Ph.D. Intern at Amazon.
Lerner: How did you find out about this internship? Why did you pursue it?
Beluli: I found out about the internship while searching for economics-specific positions. Amazon is one of the few tech companies that explicitly hires economists under that title.
Lerner: What was the most exciting task or project that you completed?
Beluli: I worked with the Grocery Science and Optimization team, where a key project involved evaluating the causal effect of including perishables in sub-same day delivery on Amazon.com.
Lerner: What did you learn from the internship that you think you wouldn’t have learned elsewhere?
Beluli: At Amazon, I learned to dive deep into problems by questioning assumptions and engaging with the latest research, something I have not experienced as strongly elsewhere besides in my Ph.D. I also gained hands-on familiarity with key tools for experimentation and causal inference, which I had to learn and apply quickly in a fast-paced environment. I also developed a strong appreciation for Amazon’s work culture, especially its focus on customer perspective and the expectation to be resourceful, both within one’s team and across the organization.
Lerner: What is an example of a time where you were able to apply what you’ve learned at Lerner to your role?
Beluli: During my internship, I drew directly on the econometric and causal inference knowledge I received during my Ph.D. in econ. For example, when evaluating the effect of offering perishables on sub-same day delivery, I relied on the fundamentals I had learned about identifying causal relationships and applying statistical models. While the internship introduced me to new methodologies and the latest literature, the foundation I gained through my Ph.D. coursework and research was essential for quickly adapting and successfully executing the analysis.
Lerner: Did you face any challenges during your internship? If so, what was the issue and how did you overcome it?
Beluli: The main challenge was the limited timeframe of a summer internship, just 90 days to adapt to Amazon’s systems, dive deep into a project, connect with the right business stakeholders, and frame the customer impact clearly. On top of that, I needed to document everything thoroughly, both technically and in writing. I overcame this by prioritizing ramp-up quickly, asking targeted questions, and proactively reaching out to colleagues across teams. This helped me both move the project forward and understand how to communicate my findings effectively. The experience taught me how to balance speed with depth, a skill I expect to carry into future roles in the industry.
Lerner: What are your career plans, and how do you think the internship will push you closer to your professional goals?
Beluli: After graduation, I plan to pursue a career as an economist, or in a closely related data science role, within the tech industry. The internship gave me direct experience applying causal inference and econometric methods to large-scale business problems, which confirmed my interest in industry-focused research. It also allowed me to see how economists at Amazon contribute to decision-making, both independently and in collaboration with data scientists and engineers.