Southwestern Advantage

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.

19 ${count} people found this helpful

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

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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Educational consultant

May - August 2018 • Altoona, PA

What I liked

The experience was

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

Southwestern is one of the best companies to work for and develop yourself along the way

2 ${count} people found this helpful

Salesperson

May 2018 • Cowlesville, NY

What I liked

The experience helped me grow as a person, and I was able to increase my skill set tremendously. The people I work with are some of the most determined, friendly, fun people I have ever met. The company cares about you as an individual, from your coworkers to the president.

What I wish was different

I wish I had prepared more before starting the summer and taken my goals more seriously.

Advice

Don't shy away because it sounds hard. Do it because it is hard. With this, you can learn how to coach yourself through any situation and talk to anyone.

8 ${count} people found this helpful

Salesperson

May 2018 • Cowlesville, NY

What I liked

This opportunity allowed me to experience more personal growth than I ever have, and I was able to improve my skill set tremendously. The best part was that the people I work with and for are some of the most friendly, hard-working, fun individuals I have ever met.

What I wish was different

I wish I would have prepared more for the summer and focused more on my goals during it.

Advice

Do not let the fact that it sounds hard scare you away, do it because it is hard. You will have the chance to become the best version of yourself and prove that you can do anything.

17 ${count} people found this helpful

Independent Contractor

May - August 2019 • Johnstown, PA

What I liked

I loved the challenge. Southwestern really helped me grow in so many ways I never expected, and I am definitely better off for it. I learned so much about life, communicating, running a business, etc, and I also made life-long friendships.

What I wish was different

Hmm... the only thing I would really change was me.

Advice

Give it your all. It is so worth it.

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Independent Marketer

May - July 2018 • Severn, MD

What I liked

I liked that I got to travel out of the south and stay with a host family.

What I wish was different

I wish that it would have been on salary or weekly wage.

Advice

Work hard and focus on the positives of the situation you’re in.

5 ${count} people found this helpful

independant contractor

May 2019 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

Opportunity to travel and grow social network, as well as, help understand success and leadership ideals

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

Attitude and Effort are everything

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Independent Contractor

May 2017 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

Awesome coworkers, Commission pay (so I made $20k), Allows work on/ learn communication, leadership, problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and sales skill, Travel incentives (i.e. trip to Mexico if performance is above average)

What I wish was different

Wish there was more choice as to where the internship was located (assigned a sales locality in another part of the country). This being said, I understand that this is an important part of the internship--it allows students to be outside of their comfort zones.

Advice

You get in what you put out--students who do not/ aren't willing to put in the work will reflect neutrally/ negatively about the internship. However, those students who were able to buy into the program got more out of the internship both skills-wise and financially.

7 ${count} people found this helpful

Small independent business owner

May - August 2018 • Monroe, GA

What I liked

I loved all the knowledge and professional experience I gained through this internship.

What I wish was different

I wish management was a little more hands on and service minded.

Advice

This experience has helped shape me into the person I will someday become, wouldn't change it for the world.

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.

12 ${count} people found this helpful

Student Manager

February 2017 - August 2018 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

I like how the experience helped me pay for school. Its a really hard job to do and really helps you develop soft skills that are needed in future careers. The people you meet in the internship will become some of your best friends.

What I wish was different

The recruitment process is a tad bit pushy if you get a return offer. There isn't any time during the summer for family or free time at all for that matter.

Advice

Anyone can be good at it. It is a really hard job and there are no guarantees for pay but it does give you many options for future internships and careers. Make sure you're ready to work 80+ hours a week.

9 ${count} people found this helpful

Sales Intern

May - August 2018 • Buffalo, NY

What I liked

The best thing about my experience with Southwestern Advantage was the leadership. The company is extremely dedicated to the success of the students who participate in the program. I also appreciated the networking opportunities, challenging work schedule and the fun-loving culture of the company.

What I wish was different

I would not change anything about my experience!

Advice

I think it is important to understand that the the program is extremely challenging and it will push the boundaries of your comfort zone. However, if a student is committed to being coachable and working hard, the reward at the end of the summer is so worth it and the skills you learn will last a lifetime.

10 ${count} people found this helpful

Education salesperson

May - August 2019 • Sheboygan, WI

What I liked

The interns were relocated to different states in the US. I appreciated the shift in perspective I had. I realized how big the world is.

What I wish was different

The internship stressed the importance of independence and accountability. What I wish to be different was not the internship itself but the flaws I had come to realize in my character.

Advice

I learned that rejection is normal.

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Independent Contracted

May - August 2018 • Columbia, SC

What I liked

You learn skills only available through on the job experience. Everything was real and the outcome is 100% up to you.

What I wish was different

Advice

If you have a drive to become better than you are now, this internship will find your strength so and your weaknesses and help you use them to your advantage.

5 ${count} people found this helpful

Sales rep

May - August 2018 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

While doing this internship I liked that i was able to grow not only academically but also personally. Southwestern Advantage offered me the learning environment to become the strong, confident and independent woman I always wanted to become. I grew tremendously in my soft skills and as a science major that is something extremely looked for in employers. The friendships that I developed have molded me outside of the summer internship. It is an internship in which you can grow tremendously and for that I am forever grateful.

What I wish was different

I wish I would’ve learned about Southwestern Advantage earlier in my academic career. I’ve seen how much it’s made me grown as an individual and wish I could have had time growing at a younger age.

Advice

I would advice that if you’re a college student who really wants to set themselves apart from the rest to try this out. My resume stands out from all the other Geography and Environmental Sustainability majors here at utsa and quite honestly nationwide due to this.

2 ${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.

What I wish was different

the point of view from outsiders

Advice

This experience changed my life, it motivated me to make decisions today to become the person I hope to be in the future.

10 ${count} people found this helpful

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.