Southwestern Advantage

Direct Sales

May 2017 • Milwaukee, WI

What I liked

I loved the fact that this internship was so challenging but students are rewarded for their effort. So many internships or summer jobs are paid based on hourly wage or even unpaid. At Southwestern Advantage, the work students put in correlates completely with the end result. Additionally, Southwestern improves so much more than the size of your bank account. Students are able to truly master communication skills through meeting over 3,500 families of every socio-economic background and challenge themselves daily.

What I wish was different

I wish that students had more say in where they are located over the summer (i.e. which state). Obviously this was not a deal breaker for me, as I have done this internship now for 3 summers. Additionally, being able to say that you are able to relocate easily for a job because you did it for your college internship is quite nice in interviews.

Advice

Students need to make sure they are fully prepared to work hard in this internship. The people that leave negative reviews were the students that did not feel as if their expectations for the summer were met, i.e. they didn't want to work the hours or understand delayed gratification.

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sales intern

February 2016 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

The mission of the program is to build people, and much like the value system at Hillsdale, I have always experienced Southwestern to stay true to their word and strive toward the goal of becoming and developing better humans. On the technical side, there is no ceiling on what you are allowed to make in the summer, so if you can work hard, I was able to make a total of 49k in two summers, and around 68k over the last four summers, during a total of 12 months of work combined.

What I wish was different

I wish I had done more preparation technically, as it would’ve helped my sales knowledge. I also wish my communication with the organization I worked with had started earlier, so we didn’t have to figure out and problem solve only on the field things we could’ve figured out beforehand.

Advice

To those who are willing to work hard, want to and are willing to learn more about themselves in three months than they ever have, and enjoy a challenge and effort-based pay, among a myriad of other desires and benefits, it would be a disservice not to check out this opportunity. Furthermore, if this is not the fit for you, to take the advice and values taught in the info meeting and evaluate how to grow as a person in life.

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Independent Contractor

May - June 2019 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

The people

What I wish was different

I could have completed the extremely rigorous summer

Advice

There are better sales jobs out there that don't require you to work 80 hours a week for $8 or less an hour. But if you do decide to do it anyway, make sure you are fully committed, because it is extremely difficult. More difficult than I had ever imagined.

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Sales Intern

May - August 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

Experience, travel, challenges, working with great people; driven, responsible, ethical, hardworking, entrepreneurial, smart, and fun culture. A culture of accountability. Great mentors who have the same qualities. Everyone you learn from has done my job. My resume is extremely competitive. Learning so much and getting paid.

What I wish was different

The amount of work and preparedness that I put in.

Advice

Everyone should do this internship once. Best thing that could possibly happen for you. The best thing is that you can get awards, recognition, skills, great friends, travel, experience, learn a lot, and get paid. Worst thing? You learn a lot about yourself. Not a bad way to spend your summer time either way.

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Sales intern

May - July 2019 • Indianapolis, IN

What I liked

Networking experience. Comminication amd self motivation

What I wish was different

My focus

Advice

Be focused of your final goal

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Book Girl

May - June 2019 • Albany, NY

What I liked

I loved the experience and values I developed during this internship. I had tremendous character building. I learned to make sacrifices and be in uncomfortable situations to become comfortable. I learned to let go of things I don't have control over and to be ready to experience anything but know you can achieve everything. I loved the people I met from all over the country and to be around such positive, motivated, and unique students.

What I wish was different

I wish I would of had my home situations handled before I left so that I could fully focus 100% on my goals and development.

Advice

Be ready to become the best you you have ever known but you have to be willing to go through literally Sweat, rain, and tears knowing "The answer lays behind the next door." "There are two types of people in this world. One finds an excuse. The other finds a way. Which are you going to be?" -Spencer Hays, Former Exec. Chairman of the Board, Southwestern Family of Companies.

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Independent Contractor

March 2016 • Sandown, NH

What I liked

I like the opportunity to grow as a person and in my profession. I have traveled all over the United States and am branching all over the world. I love the network of friends and alumni that have been created to support students and professionals in a positive and driven atmosphere.

What I wish was different

I wish I had intentionally set my track at the beginning of my career with them, but I am thankful to have mentors who want me to learn and push me to become the best version of myself.

Advice

If you are going to do it, go all in and believe in the program because it has been around for 160 years and does not fail. The only thing that fails in this program is you because of your stubbornness; systems don't fail; people do.

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independent representative

May - August 2019 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

The experience really focused on building you up as a person, rather than on sales.

What I wish was different

I wish I had been closer to my family, however, I understand the reason behind being outside of your comfort zone.

Advice

This program is intended to be difficult, always be prepared to give your best.

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Sales/ Communication intern

May - August 2019 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

I like the challenging atmosphere and the ability to improve my communication skills.

What I wish was different

I do not wish anything would have been different.

Advice

The level of difficulty of this job matches the reward gained at the end of the experience. To be able to revel in the rewards and gain the skills that this job promises, you have to be willing to take the leap of faith and put in the handwork.

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Independent Contractor

May - June 2019 • Lafayette, LA

What I liked

The amazijg coworkers

What I wish was different

I wish I had been able to stay for the entire summer

Advice

It's hard. Make sure you really know what you're getting into

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Sales and Leadership Intern

March 2016 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

For the past three years, I have been working for Southwestern Advantage, and it has allowed me to travel to different locations in the United States as well as outside of the country. I am building a network of hard work people across the globe. Working with people who are positive, passionate, and have a work ethic that average college students are not willing to have — being able to set my self apart from graduating college students after I graduate.

What I wish was different

Advice

If you get the opportunity to hear about Southwestern Advantage, listen to what they have to say and go for something challenging that will help you become a better person in life and in business.

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Independent Contractor

May - August 2018 • Seaford, DE

What I liked

I liked the values the company taught me to be successful. I also liked how efficient I was with my time.

What I wish was different

I wish that I did not have to work as many hours I did or sacrifice some of my

Advice

If you do this job you have to commit yourself 100% to the internship without hesitation.

1 One person found this helpful

Educational Consultant

February 2019 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

I loved the amount of growth that I had through this program. It really forces you to get out of your comfort zone and really challenge yourself. Everything that I learned from one summer in the program are things that I'll be taking with me for the rest of my life. It's definitely something worth doing for at least a summer.

What I wish was different

The transition from school to the job is a jump that I wasn't ready for and that kinda set me back for the first few weeks.

Advice

Everything that happens during this summer happens in your head. Mental preparation is super helpful not just getting to the job but for the entire summer as well.

1 One person found this helpful

Independent Products Rep

May - August 2018 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

Great experience, challenging, lots of personal growth. Good money for college.

What I wish was different

Been told more about the entire company before starting, not just my internship role. Wish there would have been more time to relax, prepare for the next week, and make better relationships with one another and complete necessary tasks on our "off days."

Advice

Be prepared to learn lots about problem solving, motivating yourself, and working through challenges. It will be one fo the toughest things you ever do, but will be so rewarding in the end.

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Student manager

October 2016 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

I love that I get to travel and meet new people I also love the mentorship and the people I get to go out and work with, they make every second of the program worth it.

What I wish was different

Nothing, it is challenging but that is what makes it worth so much.

Advice

I'd advise giving it a try, and when you do, just do your best. Everything is earned and just learn to embrace challenge .

1 One person found this helpful

Advertising Sales Agent

May - August 2018 • Elmira, NY

What I liked

I learned how to run my own business while exploring an area completely new to me. I earned commission while building relationships with over 2000 individuals in just 3 months.

What I wish was different

I wish I had known the good habits necessary to be successful in this internship before starting my training. These habits are essential to living a successful life and although it was very difficult in the beginning, I ended up mastering them.

Advice

This is an excellent way to experience rejection and get you ready for the real world. You have the opportunity to practice your sales and communications skills every day so take advantage of that and become great!

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Sales rep

May - August 2018 • Chippewa Falls, WI

What I liked

I really liked the week of sales training that started the program and I enjoyed the thrill of having to talk to complete strangers on a daily basis. I also appreciated the people I met and the demanding daily schedule.

What I wish was different

I wish I would have better prepared for the internship and not taken two vacations in the middle. I also wish I would have earned more money but I know this is part of the reason for my prior two points in the previous sentence.

Advice

Do not be daunted by the comments you hear nor the preparation required. You will get what you put in, both before and every day of your summer. Also, it may be a pyramid scheme but it forms good habits and principles of success, whether you choose to continue (or are invited back) or leave after your first summer.

1 One person found this helpful

Sales Representative

May 2017 • Charlotte, NC

What I liked

SWA was an opportunity to really put myself out of my comfort zone. I had the opportunity to complete 3,000 presentations to people from all different backgrounds and economic statuses. What appealed the most to me was the sales aspect. As someone who is not pursuing sales at all (I am pursuing a Human Resources degree), and always thought negatively of it, I was hesitant at the idea of pursuing a job in sales. However, I realized that sales is a part of every day life, and that it was something I need to get good at if I want to have a competitive edge in the job market. Since being a part of the Southwestern Advantage student program, I am more confident, have boosted my interpersonal skills, have been able to prove my hard-work with numbers, and have a overall optimistic look at life, which I can has affected the way family, friends, professors, and employees view me.

What I wish was different

Some things that were challenging for me with this program was the fact that there was no guarantee and that it required long hours. The long hours actually became very manageable after getting the hang of it. The no guarantees aspect was tough, at first, however since I stuck to the recipe of the program and worked hard I evidently saw results. This part of the program also helped me have this outlook in everything in life, where nothing is ever guaranteed until I work and earn it.

Advice

My piece of advice on this experience to students in college would be to do things that most people would not do. Nowadays, the job market is so competitive, and most people have the same jobs, gpas, and internships on them. Do something that will make you stand out, and have employers look at your resume and ask "You really did that?" and tell you that they respect you for it. Also, everything in life is best when you learn from others. SWA gives you so many mentors who have been in your shoes and are qualified to train you, so being coachable and trusting their advice when in it comes to the job will be in your best interest.

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Sales Representative

May 2017 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

This is 100% commission job and in a 100% job I was able to control how hard I work which would directly affect how much I make. This is different than any other job I had before where regardless how hard I worked in those other jobs someone working not as hard would get payed the exact same.

What I wish was different

I wish I had learn about this opportunity soon to give me more time to prepare for the summer of work ahead.

Advice

To do it with intention to get most out of it so that way it’s not just about the money but the skills and character which matters most.

10 ${count} people found this helpful

Sales Rep

May - August 2018 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

I loved making an impact in students lives to help them reach their dream goals of becoming what they want to become in the future. I also loved working with the most sharp college students around the United States.