Southwestern Advantage

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 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.

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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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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

Student Leader / Sales Representative

March 2018 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

Doing Southwestern Advantage job/internship is like no other one. I got to gain transferable skills that will help me towards my goals after college. It's learning how to lead others by example by doing the job with integrity and hard work. It taught me sales skills and learning how to read and communicate with clients efficiently and effectively. I liked how this job pushes me always to be my best version of myself. I got to become friends with the most supportive group of friends and mentors I don't think I would of ever had without this job. I could go on and on about the personal growth and confidence you get out of this job from knocking on doors selling an educational system to families 80 hours a week on straight commission. Also awesome to have on a resume!

What I wish was different

I love everything about this job.

Advice

When you're fronted with risks in life, take them! Also love on everyone because you never know what someone is going through.

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Independent Contractor- sales

April 2019 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

I liked how challenging this job was, I did something that most college students are not willing to do with their summer. I sacrificed three months of my life and relocated to PA for my 2019 summer, and it was the best experience of my life. I worked 80+ hours every week for 13 weeks during the summer and met over 3000 people from different socioeconomic backgrounds. This experience has helped me see the world from a different perspective, it has taught me to be more grateful for the things I have in my life. Doing things that are hard and uncomfortable helps you form the habit of doing things that normal people don't like to do. Successful people form the habit of doing things that unsuccessful people don't like to do. I will take and use the skills and principles I have learned with SW for the rest of my life.

What I wish was different

I wish I would have prepared better for the summer. Everyone has a student manager but their job is to help you do well in this program, not to babysit you. It is ultimately up to you to put in the effort and self motivate yourself if you want to do well.

Advice

The company has been around for over 160 years, they know what they are talking about and know how to train you. It's the ones who follow the system the closest that do the best in this business. Trust the process and there is no way you will fail.

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Independent Contractor

May - August 2020 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

Great leadership, lots of support, opportunity to talk to lots of people every day. Great opportunity to grow in ones communication skills. I learned a lot about myself and people.

What I wish was different

I wish there was more time and space for taking care of oneself. We worked long hours from 8 am to 9 pm 6 days a week. It took a big toll on my sleep schedule and food intake. It also would have been nice to shadow someone before being put into the role.

Advice

It is hard work and you’re a door to door salesperson of educational books. Be very sure this is something you want to do, and if it’s not, that is completely fine. The recruiters sell it hard and well so before you go through with the interview process, do some critical thinking about if this is something you really want to do. If it is, take care of yourself. Eat well, hydrate, get lots of sleep. Be as open and honest with leadership as possible and implement their feedback as best as possible.

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Bookman

May - July 2020 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

Taught me how to own a business and how to manage that business.

What I wish was different

My managers!

Advice

Hard work can get you anywhere as long as you want it bad enough.

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Bookman

May 2020 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

The life lessons you learn in this program will last you a life time. You get to travel across the country, meet a lot of great people and make some money.

What I wish was different

Advice

Have a good attitude and be coachable.

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Entrepreneurship

May - August 2021 • Buffalo, NY

What I liked

I ran my own business and learned immensely.

What I wish was different

I wish I had sold more product, that’s neither here nor there.

Advice

Commit to whatever you are doing and make it the best possible experience for yourself.

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Education Consultant

May - August 2021 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

The great thing is to connect with different people and have fun. It is a pretty hard job, but it helps you to believe in yourself and that you can achieve anything you put your mind to.

What I wish was different

I wish is to have practice door to door to be more knowledgeable about coaching and everything.

Advice

I recommend everyone to do it. It helps me financially and emotionally strong.

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Marketing Intern

May - August 2021 • Manchester, CT

What I liked

It was a great opportunity to network and travel and work on both professional skills and personal growth!

What I wish was different

Advice

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Sales Intern

May - August 2023 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

It was really challenging and helped me grow a lot

What I wish was different

I wish it didn't have to end

Advice

It takes a lot of commitment

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Educational consultant

June - August 2023 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

Southwestern Advantage teaches you how to set goals, achieve them, then break belief barriers and become a person of integrity, effort, and finding gratitude in every circumstance. It not only gave me more confidence in myself but also more confidence in the person I am becoming as a Christian, daughter, friend, student, and athlete. I met so many amazing, driven, and likeminded people who I am so thankful to be close friends with and co workers for coming summers.

What I wish was different

Everything that took place this summer was part of the program and part of my growth

Advice

Southwestern is one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. But there is no other program, job, or internship that gives you life and leadership skills like Southwestern. Once you commit, you are committed to a summer of growth in character, and on top of that, you will gain so many close friendships by doing hard things together.

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