Radio Flyer

Public Relations Intern

June 2024 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I loved getting the opportunity to work on proposals and projects that are truly getting implemented into the company's work! I felt that my voice was heard and always felt comfortable sharing my ideas in department and company meetings, even having the opportunity to present numerous projects of mine throughout the summer to senior leadership. I had many opportunities to use my writing skills and creative freedom to communicate the brand's values with our audiences and it was truly a rewarding experience.

What I wish was different

Finding housing to move to Chicago was a bit difficult, especially on a budget, but it ended up working out in the end.

Advice

Go into your position with a "Yes I Can" attitude! I went into the summer wanting to expand my knowledge and skillset and did this by saying yes to projects I may have not been previously familiar with. This allowed me to learn more and experience what makes this company continue to succeed.

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Accounting Intern

June - August 2024 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

Radio Flyer takes their internship program seriously and it is well developed. You will be treated as part of the team and included in every activity. It will feel like a real full-time job. Senior management knew my name week one. The small company size was great, you feel well connected to the other departments and everyone knows each other. Employees are extremely passionate about the brand and culture. The entire intern class got to know each other very well. You get meaningful work that actually makes an impact on your department and the company. Everyone is so kind and welcoming-- I never once felt uncomfortable to ask a question.

What I wish was different

I wish there had been more emphasis on technical training in my department. Although I learned processes and gained a valuable office experience, it didn't advance my general accounting or finance knowledge as expected. The focus was primarily on completing tasks, which allowed me to make an impact, but it didn't provide the big-picture industry learning as I was looking for. I wish the location was closer to downtown Chicago, it is very far west. The CTA trains do not go that way, but there is a CTA bus stop right outside the office and gated parking lot. It was very hard to find housing accommodations for only 12 weeks. Our search lasted most of my school year after receiving my offer, and while the relocation assistance is generous and comparable to other programs, it only covered a very small portion of our living expense.

Advice

Live with other interns if you are relocating to the area! Many do. It will be a fun summer. Consider the cost of living (gas, food, rent) and the income tax rates if you are not from Illinois/Chicagoland. Remember the relocation assistance is taxed like your paycheck. It is doable but was an eye-opener. Take summer hours if you are allowed! You can work an extra hour Monday-Thursday to get off early on Fridays. Start (and therefore end) dates are flexible. Interns will be staggered so you could be a part of the first group of interns to start or the last group to end.

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Product Quality Engineering Intern

June - August 2024 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

Radio Flyer is a 'funomenal' place to work. The company's culture of having fun while doing work makes the workspace an enjoyable environment to be in, makes the workload fun and bearable, and brings fellow flyers closer together. It is not surprising that Radio Flyer has been ranked a top place to work for for multiple years in a row now.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Industrial Design Intern

May - August 2024 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I loved all the real-world projects I was able to work on. There was an incredible amount of trust put into all interns with all projects having an impact on the business. I learned lots of new skills and was able to apply many more, like sustainability in design, CMF design, and Design for manufacturing. The small team makes communication very open and fast passed.

What I wish was different

I wish there was slightly more housing support while moving to Chicago. Also, with Radio Flyer being a certified B corporation it would have been nice to have more education about how to make social impact as a business.

Advice

An amazing internship opportunity that students should definitely apply for. If you do land an internship, you should definitely take time to sit down with people you don't normally get to. Some of the best learnings I have had over this internship were because I scheduled coffee with department heads that I would otherwise not have had a lot of time to talk to.

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Mechanical Engineering Intern

May - August 2024 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I really enjoyed my internship with Radio Flyer. I was able to work on important projects and contribute to the success of the company while also having the support of my manager and other employees. I was able to do work I enjoy and tailor my projects to my interests. The company culture at Radio Flyer is great and everyone there is more than willing to help with your personal and professional growth. There were also many social events to meet the other interns and employees in a fun and casual environment.

What I wish was different

I wish there were more opportunities to see the work that other departments do. As an engineering intern, I worked closely with designers and other engineers, but I would have liked to work with other departments or other interns.

Advice

Be open to feedback and ask for it often. Radio Flyer has a great feedback culture, and you can learn a lot by recognizing your strengths as well as the areas in which you can improve.

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Industrial and Transportation Design Intern

May - August 2024 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I really loved the work and the range of my day-to-day tasks. I was always involved on all team meetings, and not only did I sketch, model, and render but I also got to spend time working on/riding bikes and building prototypes. The culture here is really great and I always felt motivated to come to work. My manager was always a great mentor and asset to my development over the internship.

What I wish was different

I would have budgeted more for housing since the stipend helped out a lot but only covered about half of rent. I also would have appreciated more transparency earlier on into the internship about job offers so I knew going in that I should be job hunting for post internship. That said I don't regret accepting the internship at all because the experience has been second to none and I've made lifelong connections here.

Advice

Come ready to learn and dive straight into a fast past product development team.

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Accounts payable and Accounts Receivable Intern

May - August 2024 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I truly enjoyed the amazing work environment that Radio Flyer creates for its employees. This amazing work environment allowed me the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the world of accounting. The projects that I worked on during my internship helped me gain a deep understanding of the work that I got to do this summer and how it was positively affecting Radio Flyer.

What I wish was different

The only thing that I would do differently would be having the opportunity to work with other teams at Radio Flyer. Working with other teams, I feel, would have helped me gain a better understanding of parts of the company that one can't really learn about from an outside perspective.

Advice

One piece of advice that I would give regarding my internship experience at Radio Flyer is not being afraid when it comes to putting yourself out there. All of the Flyers are extremely friendly and are always willing to get to know the interns and what projects that are working on during their internship.

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e-Bike Mechanical Engineering Intern

May - August 2024 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

Radio Flyer had a great culture of feedback. I appreciate knowing what I am doing well and what I can improve upon.

What I wish was different

I would have appreciated more clarity from HR about the possibility of a full-time return offer, especially since I was a post-grad intern looking for a full-time job rather than an internship.

Advice

Learn everything you can about bikes from the internet before coming on to the e-Bike team, and you will avoid a big terminology learning curve.

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ecommerce marketing and sales intern

May - August 2024 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

Welcoming environment, loved the Chicago experience and learned a lot!

What I wish was different

I wish there was a little more support with housing, as I did find a place, I feel as though there could have been a less expensive option.

Advice

Do research about the company before the interview!

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Human Resources Intern

May - August 2024 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

Radio Flyer trusts their interns with meaningful and impactful projects. I think they do this because they see interns' potential and their ability to solve difficult problems and challenges. To make interns feel more comfortable with their work, interns have an in-depth discussion with their manager at the start of their internship to get clarity on their goals and expectations for this summer. I appreciated having all of my major projects laid out before me because it aided me in my time and project management.

What I wish was different

This is such a dynamic work environment and sometimes things get forgotten or have to be rushed. To be successful in this environment, you will have to be adaptable and be able to pivot between different projects and tasks. Don't be afraid if and/or when your day does not go according to plan.

Advice

Integrate yourself into the company. Flyers and members of the Senior Management Team are very accessible so do not be afraid to talk to them and ask questions. When you're ready, ask for projects you are interested in. They will do their best to accommodate you!

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Supply Chain and Operation Intern

May - August 2024 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I loved the culture that Radio Flyer has created. Some of the most outstanding people I've ever worked with on top of the grade A management.

What I wish was different

One thing I wish that had been different would be the amount of "classroom" sessions we were required to attend. The sessions were very formal, and I did learn a lot, but it did take time away from projects I needed to work on.

Advice

Ask questions! Everyone at radio flyer is very friendly and they make it known that people from all departments work together at some point. No one is afraid of connecting and asking questions when they are struggling on something. It is a judge free zone!

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Frontend Development Intern

May - August 2024 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

My internship at Radio Flyer has been instrumental in advancing my technical skills. The opportunity to gain hands-on experience with new software and systems, learn from seasoned professionals in a supportive environment, and apply my knowledge to real-world projects has been invaluable. I have also gained valuable insights into my personal strengths and communication styles through the personal development courses that Radio Flyer offers to each of its employees. Radio Flyer has provided me with an exceptional professional setting to develop and enhance my skillset.

What I wish was different

Sometimes I would either complete a project or get stuck, and would have liked to have more projects on the backburner to pivot to so I didn't have to seek out a supervisor to find more work.

Advice

Be enthusiastic about jumping into new projects and always question what more you could do to make a positive impact on the company. Don't be afraid to share your ideas, as Radio Flyer is a non judgmental and collaborative environment and is always looking to improve and innovate the business in new ways.

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Brand Ambassador Intern

May - August 2023 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I loved the company culture. The people that work here are truly some for the best people I've ever met. I felt so welcomed from the moment that I arrived at Radio Flyer. I also think that the work life balance is very reasonable and I truly enjoyed what they had me working on.

What I wish was different

I wish there was more structure because there were times where I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do next.

Advice

One piece of advice that I would give to somebody based off of my experience is to build connections with people outside of your department because this gives you a better understanding of how the company operates. I would also tell people to ask lots of questions because that how you get better.

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IT Programmer

June 2023 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I enjoy the culture a lot. People are there to lift you up on your strengths, and also to help you improve in areas you want to as well. There is a balance of casual fun and professionalism integrated into the workplace, and overall I feel everyone is easy to approach and work with. The internship is organized with social events and classes that are designed to help you learn more about yourself and others, and the projects I worked on felt like they had an impact on the business. Just a couple projects you do there could save them over 100 hours annually, potentially! It's clear people care for you and want to see you grow.

What I wish was different

More inter-department collaboration would have been nice. I mostly meet with my manager, who is wonderful and communicative (even when out of office), who lets me know what other teams need, but more direct contact with them would have been nice.

Advice

Go to social events and ask people to have lunch with you. Everyone is truly friendly and, if you ask them, will really find time and go out of their way to make you feel welcome.

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Supply Chain Intern

May - August 2023 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

The whole atmosphere of radio flyer was phenomenal. When I first came into radio flyer, I saw their values and what they pride themselves as a company with their products. All of the employees were friendly and helpful to pointing me into the right direction on how to complete my goals. I spent majority of my time with the operation team in the warehouse and helped with transfers, dealing with RMAs (return merchandise authorization), and many other projects.

What I wish was different

The one thing I wish was different is to stay longer. I got to spend a good amount of time here, but I wish I could stay longer and work on more projects with different departments.

Advice

The one advice I would give is to take notes and enjoy the moment because when you start your journey at radio flyer it will go by faster than you think.

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Brand Ambassador Intern

May 2023 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

This program was great for professional and personal growth. It is great to see the transparency and willingness to help everyone reach their goals. It sometimes blows my mind how I have never heard any Flyer complain about their job. The employees here genuinely love what they do and that contributes to a great environment. There is so many team building and bonding activities that are always a great way to make new connections. As for my position, I love being able to represent the brand and its values at different test ride events around the Midwest. For background, Radio Flyer recently within the past five years released new innovative eBike. My role for the summer was to organize events for individuals to test out the bikes to build awareness of the new Flyer line. It was really cool to be able to collaborate with a great team and contribute new ideas to make the process better.

What I wish was different

I wish this internship was longer! I love it here at Radio Flyer and I do not want to leave.

Advice

No idea is a bad idea. Come everyday with plenty of ideas and be willing to share. Everyone here is very willing to help and listen at Radio Flyer. All feedback and comments are greatly appreciated at every level.

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Mechanical Engineering Intern

May - August 2023 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I was very pleased with the importance of the projects I was given, and the agency they let me have in completing them. I always had projects to work on, where my fellow interns in other departments were sometimes left with open space. I also loved the opportunities for overlap and collaboration between departments. I wasn't always doing cut-and-dried mechanical engineering work; I could tailor my projects based on my interests. The company culture is also fantastic. The intern program itself is filled with enrichment activities, and the full-time employees go out of their way to include you.

What I wish was different

The start dates for the interns were staggered over a month or so, which made the schedule of intern events a little odd. I wish we had all started within the same few weeks, to better bond and plan events. Also, I think that they have great intentions when it comes to DIB. It was clear that they are more intentional about creating an inclusive community than many workplaces out there. Moving forward, I think they could stand to back it up with small and substantial contributions (catering food for the Pride social from a LGBTQ+ vendor, for example, or making the options for the paid Juneteenth volunteering centered around Black communities).

Advice

The intern community is fantastic, if you're committed to participating in it. Live with other interns and hang out outside of work, and you will have a stellar, social summer! Also, live as close as you can to the office. Going downtown is better on the weekends, anyways.

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Mechanical Engineering Intern

May - August 2023 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I really enjoy working with all the people at Radio Flyer. Everyone is super friendly and helpful. I also appreciate the very involved and hands-on nature of the work I do at Radio Flyer. I have plenty of opportunities to work in the prototype shop, and that is definitely one of my favorite parts of this job.

What I wish was different

I wish there were more opportunities to work with people in different departments. For my role, I expected more interdepartmental collaboration, but I ended up working by myself most of the time. I also wish my workload was more predictable, it varied drastically day to day.

Advice

One piece of advice I have for any future interns at Radio Flyer is to be open to feedback. Radio Flyer has a strong culture of feedback, so becoming comfortable both giving and receiving feedback is really important. Overall, feedback is a great way to learn and grow, and embracing it can be helpful in both your personal and professional development.

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E-bike engineering Intern

March - August 2023 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

This job gave me the unique opportunity to wear many different hats on a product development team. I found it extremely liberating and encouraging to have such a high level of collaboration with multiple parts of the company. This company also knows how to highlight all the great things that can come from working for a smaller company. Furthermore, this company deals in a market that is uniquely focused on having fun and seeing my work contributing towards a product that has the potential to bring a happiness into someone's life is priceless.

What I wish was different

I wish my time here had been longer. I have never worked somewhere that I have been at for 5 months and it feels like it has been only 5 weeks.

Advice

This job gives people the opportunity to grow as a person within this job. Even if you are just a temporary employee, Radio Flyer gives numerous career improvement activities to help grow your personal development goals. My advice to anyone interested in this job would be to take full advantage of these learning opportunities which will benefit you in the future.

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Industrial Design Intern

June - August 2023 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I really like the people and the environment at Radio Flyer. I love my team (industrial design). My manager is a great communicator and a listener who is fantastic at giving feedback. The design team is small and we move very fast so I was able to jump from sketching to prototyping on a couple of projects during my internship. Overall, it is a great place to learn about technical skills but also people skills.

What I wish was different

I wish they have an office close to where I go to school.

Advice

It is truly one of a kind experience at RF. The HR team often hosts fun and educational events for the interns and other full time employees to build relationship with one another. RF really sticks with their values and embodies them within their culture.

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