TL;DR

Welcome! This Thursday’s digest delivers a curated list of the latest internships and new graduate roles, plus a quick career tip and in-depth company spotlights on Target's sales slump and OpenAI's big acquisition.

🚀 Top Job Picks This Week

🎓 Quick Career Tip of the Week

Don't Wait for Tasks: Be a Proactive Problem-Solver

For early career professionals, truly standing out means more than just completing assigned tasks. It's about proactively identifying opportunities for improvement and driving solutions. This isn't about waiting for instructions; it's about making yourself indispensable.

Here's how to elevate your impact:

• Become an Observer: Pay close attention to daily operations. What processes are clunky? What recurring problems do your colleagues face? Listen for subtle cues in meetings or conversations that point to inefficiencies.

• Think Solutions, Not Just Problems: Once you spot an issue, immediately start thinking about how it could be better. Even a simple idea – like a new spreadsheet template, a shared document to centralize information, or suggesting a different tool – can make a big difference.

• Propose and Act: Don't just complain. Formulate a brief, actionable proposal. "I noticed X takes a lot of time; I think if we tried Y, we could save Z minutes/hours each week." Then, ask for the opportunity to implement it.

Why this approach is a game-changer:

• You'll Gain Visibility: Leadership notices those who go beyond expectations.

• You'll Build Core Skills: This cultivates critical thinking, problem-solving, and project management – all essential for career growth.

• You'll Create Opportunities: Solving problems often leads to new projects and increased responsibility, accelerating your career trajectory.

🔍 Deep Dive: Company Spotlight (Business)

Target Faces Sales Slump Amid Tariff War and DEI Backlash

As of May 21-22, 2025, major retailer Target is navigating a challenging environment, facing a sales slump attributed to two key factors: the ongoing tariff war and a backlash against its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. While many retailers are grappling with increased costs due to new tariffs on imports, Target has faced additional public scrutiny and criticism over its DEI initiatives, which some consumers have boycotted.

This situation highlights the delicate balance major corporations must strike between managing geopolitical economic pressures and adhering to their corporate values in a highly polarized consumer landscape. The company's performance reflects a broader trend of retailers struggling to absorb new tariffs without significantly impacting their pricing or profit margins, while also facing increased scrutiny over their social and political stances.

The Why?: Target's situation underscores the complexities of operating in the current global and social climate. Companies must carefully consider their supply chain resilience in the face of trade policies and navigate the evolving expectations and sentiments of their diverse customer base.

For Investors and Business Leaders: This development serves as a case study in the challenges of corporate social responsibility and economic volatility. It emphasizes the need for robust risk management strategies that account for both market fluctuations and public relations.

🔍 Deep Dive: Company Spotlight (Tech)

OpenAI to Acquire Jony Ive's AI Design Startup for $6.4 Billion

In a significant move in the AI and design world, as of May 22, 2025, OpenAI is reportedly acquiring the AI design startup co-founded by legendary Apple designer Jony Ive for a staggering $6.4 billion. This acquisition signals OpenAI's intent to heavily invest in the user experience and hardware integration of its AI technologies.

Jony Ive, renowned for his pivotal role in designing iconic Apple products like the iPhone and iMac, brings an unparalleled pedigree in crafting user-centric and aesthetically pleasing technology. His startup, which has remained largely under wraps, is expected to bring a fresh perspective on how AI can be seamlessly integrated into physical products and everyday interactions. This move could see OpenAI, primarily known for its software advancements like ChatGPT, making a stronger push into developing hardware or partnering with hardware companies to bring its AI to life in new, tangible forms.

The Why?: This acquisition positions OpenAI to potentially lead the charge in defining the "look and feel" of future AI-powered devices and interfaces. It suggests a growing recognition within the AI industry that groundbreaking technology alone is not enough; intuitive and beautiful design is crucial for mass adoption and user satisfaction.

For Tech Professionals & Designers: This news highlights a burgeoning demand for designers with a deep understanding of AI and its potential applications in hardware. It also suggests that the future of AI may not be confined to software, opening up new career paths at the intersection of AI, industrial design, and user experience.

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— Sriram Maganti | Co-Founder @ inFuture