INTERVIEW WITH IRENE
Irene is sharing her story about her internship March-June 2026.
HI IRENE!
Who are you, what are you studying and at which school?
Hi! I’m Irene Rumiz, I’m 29 years old and come from the Dominican Republic. I’m currently completing my first year of the MSc in Fashion Marketing and Management at University of Borås.
What attracted you to The Loop Factory?
The main reason why The Loop Factory caught my eye was its focus on circular innovation. Sustainability has been an area that deeply interested me ever since I started my master’s degree, especially the possibility of giving waste, especially textile fibre waste, a whole new life by extending its lifecycle. I find it very interesting that material that for others can be considered waste is input for new solutions and ideas at The Loop Factory.
The Loop Factory has allowed me to be part of a company focused on sustainability and innovation, while also experiencing the Swedish working environment. I was genuinely excited to join a company that listens to its people, trusts their talent and potential, and values everyone equally, no matter their role within the company.
What is the purpose of your internship, and why did you choose that topic?
For the last 10 weeks, I’ve been a Communications and Commercial Intern at The Loop Factory, and it’s been an amazing experience. The purpose of my internship is to learn how a circular innovation company, mainly focused on B2B customers, communicates and manages its marketing and sales activities.
I chose this topic because, although I had previous experience in these areas, I had never had the opportunity to explore how the sustainability market works. This experience has allowed me to combine my interest in communications and commercial work with my growing passion for sustainability.
What challenges have you faced, and how have you dealt with them?
The train rides! Commuting by train from Borås to Varberg was an adventure in itself.
In terms of my work experience, one of the main challenges I faced during my internship was understanding the Swedish way of working and how communication flows within the Nordic B2B market. Coming from the Dominican Republic, it has been a significant (yet incredible) adjustment.
Another challenge I faced was believing in myself and trusting that I was capable of completing this internship. It had been a couple of years since I last worked in marketing, so in a way, I felt a bit rusty in the field. However, the support of the team and the trust they placed in my ideas and abilities helped me regain confidence.
Despite these challenges, I had an amazing experience and will always be grateful to the entire TLF team for making me feel welcome, valued, and part of such a wonderful community. I even learned to enjoy the train rides.
Have you discovered any exciting results or insights?
One of the most exciting insights has been discovering how work-life balance is genuinely integrated into Swedish working culture. I learned that everyone has a place at the table, whether you are the CEO or the intern, and that stability and trust create a much healthier and more productive work environment. I also discovered how meaningful sustainability work can be and confirmed that this is an area I want to continue exploring in the future.
Are there any specific skills or knowledge that you have developed in the course of your work?
During my internship, I strengthened my communication and commercial skills while also gaining a broader understanding of sustainability and circular innovation. I developed experience working in marketing and communications projects, collaborated with different teams, and learned more about how sustainable businesses operate within the textile and innovation sectors.
What future steps do you plan to take after completing your internship?
After completing my internship, I want to continue learning and digging deeper into sustainability, especially in the area of textile waste and circular solutions. I hope to keep developing professionally within marketing, communications, and sustainability, and hopefully continue working on projects that create a positive impact.
In what way do you want to be involved and contribute to a better world?
I want to contribute to developing more sustainable and circular solutions in the textile and fashion industries. As one of the most polluting sectors in the world, I feel strongly motivated to help drive meaningful change, whether on a large or small scale.
I also believe that communication plays a key role in creating impact. With my background in marketing and management, I aim to support initiatives that extend the lifecycle of materials and encourage more conscious production, work, and consumption.
The Loop Factory has been the best starting point I could ask for on this journey, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity given and the experience gained. I guess I’ll always stay in The Loop a little… thanks, The Loop Factory, for making it a pretty good one to be in!
Thank you, Irene. It has been a pleasure to have you in our Loop for the last ten weeks. We wish you all the best for your next endeavour!
