Southwestern Advantage

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.

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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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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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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

May - August 2019 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

I loved the opportunity to run my own business as an independent contractor. The leaderhsip, management, and sales skills skills i learned will help me throughout the rest of my life.

What I wish was different

nothing

Advice

You have to be ready to commit and be coachable. Of you can do those things you can be successful

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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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Advertising Sales Agent

May - August 2019 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

I grew in more aspects of myself then I could ever imagine. Truly pushed my limits to the furthest to find myself and self motivation to continue through the tough.

What I wish was different

More disciplined to act with full integrity

Advice

Never give up! work your hardest then work a little more

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Sales Intern

May 2019 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

This is not a job for normal people. The growth and learning experience continues year-round, and you really take what you learn during the summer into the school year. The network of students that you meet is made up of the hardest working college students in the world.

What I wish was different

The company does a fantastic job of training their interns before the summer begins, but there could be even more training during the spring semester to guarantee an even stronger sales force.

Advice

Go into the job with an open mind. Though it's one of the hardest internships in the country, you always get paid for the work that you do. If you put your head down and go to work no matter what, the results and growth will come.

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Organizational Leader & Independent Contractor in Sales

February 2016 • Cortland, NY

What I liked

The program allows students to accelerate within the company very quickly. It challenges students to push themselves physically and emotionally. It pushes students out of their comfort zone at all levels. It is coupled with enough support so with any challenge students can push themselves and have enough support to seek support.

What I wish was different

Advice

If you are willing to push yourself and step outside of your comfort zone, you can jump in completely. It takes unwavering commitment and it is worth it. Do it. Believe in yourself and do your best.

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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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Educational Consultant

May - August 2018 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

I loved this experience! I liked the amount of growth that happened, I enjoyed the people that I got to work with and I loved learning more about myself and what I want to do in the future

What I wish was different

Advice

Do it. Everything is going to work out exactly as it is supposed to as long as you just keep going.

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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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Educational consultant

May 2018 • Ardmore, OK

What I liked

Learn about sales, and personal growth goals and mindsets

What I wish was different

I wish I had prepared more when I returned for a second summer, more planning out goals.

Advice

You learn a lot about yourself, planning and hardwork pays off.

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Independent Business Owner and Sales Marketer

May - August 2018 • Boulder, CO

What I liked

Southwestern Advantage is full of a mix of old and young ambitious and caring adults who genuinely care for your personal goals and aspirations. Through this summer internship, you make the amount of money that you work for. If you are just as hard working, ambitious and determined as the people in this company, you have the opportunity to make over $20,000 just in one summer (12 weeks). I have never worked with a more positive group of people. The company as a whole consistently strives to teach all of their employees helpful life skills, knowledge, and experience while pushing them to be a better versions of themselves. Southwestern Advantage is an extremely positive, goal-oriented company.

What I wish was different

You are not, however, paid by the hour. You are paid for what you sell. Essentially, you have the potential to make over $20,000 if you work hard and do what they do (those who do this every summer), but if you do not sell anything, you do not get paid. You will learn priceless experience, skill, and knowledge from just one summer with this company..... but, not necessarily money.

Advice

Do something that scares you a little bit. Comfort and growth do not coexist.

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Walker

May - June 2016 • College Station, TX

What I liked

The internship was very fun when we were in Tennessee and met people from all over the country.

What I wish was different

Eevrything beside the training. The staff did not care about your saftey, and their biggest concern was selling books at any and all costs.

Advice

Do not do this internship unless you want to be treated very poorly for your entire summer.

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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.

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Salesperson/Student Leader

May - August 2017 • Knoxville, TN

What I liked

The opportunity to run my own business and problem solve on my own, interact with people from so many different background, and opportunity for leadership advancement in the program.

What I wish was different

Advice

This isn't for everyone. Super extensive interview process to determine if this is right for you. You will have to contact a student leader like myself to be considered for the program.

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Student Leader

August 2017 • Uniontown, PA

What I liked

I heard about SW through an announcement in class at CU in 2017, and just completed my second summer with the program after I was invited back to be a student leader during my first summer. I liked that I got to travel, meet a ton of people, work on identifying and developing my weaknesses, and that there was no cap to my earning potential. I also liked the fun group activities we did like white water rafting and skydiving.

What I wish was different

I wish I had saved up some more money to go before because I had some unexpected expenses that really took a toll on my final profits, but luckily I made enough to cover them and still come out with a profit at the end.

Advice

If you’re trying to decide whether or not to do Southwestern, take the leap and do it. It’s a wild ride and I wouldn’t trade my experiences for any amount of money. It’s worth it. Don’t just test the waters to see if you like it, go all in or you’re cheating yourself.

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Direct sales

May - August 2018 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

I loved the opportunity that Southwestern Advantage offered as far as the experience of running an independent business, which allowed for tremendous personal growth, financial freedom as a college student, and not only a great network of other college students but an amazingly supportive and encouraging work environment.

What I wish was different

The biggest challenge is working a lot.

Advice

This internship is not cut out for everyone. I have done this internship for the past two summers and if you're not someone of high character, who loves to challenge themselves, get outside of your comfort zone and stride towards the ebst version of yourself then you shouldn't do the internship. However, this internship is the most challenging and the best thing a college student can do.

6 ${count} people found this helpful

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