How did I end up in USA selling books door-to-door? I first heard a bit about the Southwestern Advantage program when I was in 11th grade, although nothing special. I only knew that in the summer time, students go to America and they sell some books door-to-door, and that was it. I remember my first thoughts were, “Okay, USA is … Read More
Jordan Greenberg – Calluses On My Knuckles
Wow, the summer of 2013. Some people remember it as an extremely wet summer (most rain on record for Connecticut in 100 years) some people remember it as a scorcher (also hottest on record in about 30 years). For me though, I will always remember it as the summer I earned calluses on my knuckles. The reason I say “earned” … Read More
Dillon Buck – Lessons From My First Summer
It’s hard to imagine the life of a Southwestern Advantage sales person if you have never sold books, but there is a huge focus on our attitude and actions. Make a decision everyday to do all you can to make it as productive as possible. This decision starts with your schedule. The time you wake up, the time you go … Read More
Justin Sweeney – Goal Setting & Attitude
My Houston summer of 2013. Where should I start? I had no clue what I was getting myself into. I had no idea or thought about how much of an impact the Southwestern Advantage program was going to have on me. However, if I am going to start somewhere, it might as well be the beginning on campus at Central Michigan. … Read More
Kate Gray – Selling Books 101
You mean you SELL BOOKS? Door-to-DOOR? HA. LOL. LMAO. ROFL. Jokes. Right. Some form of this natural reaction is that of the 95% of those who first hear about Southwestern Advantage. Southwestern Advantage is not just a “book-selling company”; it is a company that takes seemingly sharp, inexperienced college students, and molds them into hard-working, committed, smart, hilarious human beings … Read More
Jeff Hsieh – Mentors Who Genuinely Care
I am thankful for my experience with the Southwestern Advantage internship program. I am thankful for all of my peers and mentors that have helped me grow into the man I am today. There is one instance that I remember realizing that my mentors truly cared about me as a human being. In April of 2010, I sat down at a … Read More
Kate Marshall – My Reason
Most people who know me know that I spent all four of my undergraduate summers running my own business, selling educational stuff door to door in different states, 80 hours a week, leaving little time for anything else but sleeping. I’m gonna estimate at least 95% of those people have come to the conclusion that I’m just an extraordinarily driven, … Read More
Jacob Majeske – I Almost Didn’t Do It
I almost didn’t do it. As corny as it sounds, Southwestern Advantage has been a life-changing experience for me. It has positively shifted the direction in which my life is heading, and I look back and remember how close I was to not doing it. My recruitment was not very typical as I was working in the toll booths on campus … Read More
George Coinac – A Personal Impact
Moldova is a long ways from Nashville, but not too far for us to have the opportunity to join the best leaders from around the world. We here in Moldova appreciate the impact Southwestern Advantage is having on our country. The donation program is helping many citizens who are in need of help. Southwestern Advantage has made a huge impact … Read More
Josiah Fogle – 4 Things I Gained
My name is Josiah Fogle. That probably means nothing to you at this point, but I have told a few people about my story and if you wanna listen then read on. Some people at my small Christian college called Calvin have listened and decided to follow suit by joining me in my second summer; so maybe you might find … Read More
Sara Nannini – Blessed to be a Bookgirl
Ever since I was young, I have always been one to push the envelope and explore new challenges. Some of these have included joining the swim team, moving away to Central Michigan University, and joining Greek life. I found success in all of these areas, and realized I was able to coast by on my natural talents to be successful … Read More
Jack Pendergast – Learning How To Reach My Full Potential
To the Foundation Organization: All my life I’ve had baseball, football, basketball, swimming, track, and other coaches give me lessons on how to excel and win in life. In my two years at Southwestern Advantage, Aaron Schafer, Kevin Johnson, The Foundation, and my student manager, Christie Bradley have taught me more about myself; strengths and weaknesses, and how to reach … Read More
Robbie Kashey – A letter to my leaders
Christie, I want to begin this letter thanking for you for being a wonderful mentor in my life through the opportunity I had working with Southwestern Advantage. I am extremely grateful to have worked with you and to have had your expertise while on the Bookfield. I know you remember me being sold from the beginning on the potential earnings … Read More
Brandon Kew – Having a Positive Impact on Others
I have worked with Southwestern Advantage since the summer of my freshman year at the University of Northern Iowa. Over the past 4 years I have learned a ton about running a business, making professional presentations, communicating effectively, being a leader, and much more. I have also had the opportunity to be influenced by great role models and have a … Read More
Brianna Byers – Learning Realistic Life Lessons
I was recruited to be part of the Southwestern Advantage internship my sophomore year of college at the University of Kentucky. I’ve completed three years of the program now, and I am coming back for a fourth year. As a young and eager Marketing/Creative Advertising major, I had a colorful dream of going into ‘Big League’ advertising. When I first … Read More
Petra Svejdova – Thanks, to those who don’t give up!
I am from Prague – Czech Republic where I am attending University of Economics. I passed final master exam in January 2012 and now I am just finishing up with my dissertation to graduate. I heard about Southwestern Advantage for the first time in 2006/2007 when I was a first year student at university. A girl from South America who … Read More
Kimberly Wu – A letter to my younger self
I worked with Southwestern Advantage two summers ago (2011). On a plane ride home for winter break, I came across an article featuring letters that celebrities wrote to their teenage selves. It was a fun and interesting read – seeing how people approached the assignment. I decided that was how I was going to reflect on my Southwestern Advantage experience. Below is … Read More
Southwestern Advantage Internship: Social Media Reviews
Some recent mentions from Southwestern Advantage alum and current participants:
Mike Ford – Controlling my circumstances
Mike Ford – University of Kentucky, B.S. in International Economics “My name is Mike Ford, and I’m a District Sales Leader with Southwestern Advantage, and I’ve been here going on my 10th year. I’ve gotten a lot of things out of working with the Southwestern Advantage program. I would say the biggest thing I got out of my first summer was just the … Read More
Katia Sand – Life Lessons and Mentors
I first heard about Southwestern Advantage from a classmate as we walked out of the first English Literature seminar of the year. We hadn’t met before but I had noticed Mel in class because she was almost as opinionated as I was, and she was the only other person in the room who wasn’t British (though she spoke with a … Read More
Josef Dvorak – From Summer Job To A Career
My name is Josef Dvorak, I am a graduate of University of Economics in Prague (Czech Republic) and I am getting ready for my seventh summer with Southwestern Advantage. I was recruited in my 3rd year of University wanting to learn English at any cost. The summer before I went to Ireland with the same desire, I ended up in a … Read More
Drew Stapleton – Making the right decision
Last year (early 2011), when I was a sophomore undergrad at Michigan State University, I was sitting at the student union with my girlfriend, Mara, and one of our friends, Wyatt. Wyatt was telling us how he had to tell this guy he was planning on doing a sales internship this summer, but that he could no longer do it … Read More
Matthew Smith – This is a growth business, a personal growth business!
Roughly two and a half years ago my roommate, best friend, and current student manager Wes Linette opened the door to an opportunity and reality that I’m forever grateful for – Southwestern Advantage. No, I wasn’t a believer from day one, but a few years later I am and as a result continue to challenge myself each and every … Read More
Zhian Mostofi – The family internship
Southwestern Advantage, where to begin? For me this internship has been around for a while. 6 years before I was ready to take on the challenge, my oldest sister sold books for two years then my middle sister, which is heading into her 5th summer. Both top first years, coming back after each summer glittering with outstanding growth and a … Read More
Dillon Barr – Bags packed!
I won’t ever forget the call my sales manager, Maurice Howell, made to me while I was sitting in my college apartment doing nothing with my life. At the time I thought I was a mature, patient, well-rounded young man with the world at my fingertips. I could easily make my way through school with the talents I was given … Read More
Amber Taylor – Breaking out of my shell
Growing up, I looked up to people like Peter Benenson and Margaret Mead in awe. I wanted my life to emulate theirs in some way—I had no idea what I wanted to do, I just knew I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others somehow. But sometime during high school I somehow forgot how to talk to … Read More
Kailyn Castro – Becoming Who I Want to Be
As a freshman, originally from Texas attending the University of Missouri, I was exposed to this foreign concept called winter. It is not something I enjoyed in the least bit. I was used to having one snow day a year, school being shut down, and then the weather returning to 50 degrees the following day. I was homesick from the … Read More
Miguel Joaquin – Pushing through to the end
My name is Miguel Joaquin. I am a senior at Michigan State University majoring in Medical Technology; medical school is next. This is my Southwestern Advantage story: I remember my girlfriend telling me about a possible internship opportunity she had heard about and was interested in doing. She did not know much about it and went to an informational … Read More
Nicole Theissen – Keep Knocking
A sweet and short summer job, with a lot of money and some cool people and new places – HA, little did I know. I am a sophomore at the University of Bridgeport in the USA, studying International Political economy and diplomacy. Growing up in a German Mennonite Colony in South America, Paraguay I soon learned the importance of seeing … Read More
Jackson Chao – The Light Bulb that Changed my Life
Throughout high school and my first few years in University, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I was drifting around like a lost balloon in the wind, went wherever was safe and settled for whatever was convenient. I joined clubs but rarely showed up, I got good marks in school but it wasn’t the best. … Read More