Nearly 100 eager interns will be on-site with us for the summer, and started arriving earlier this month.

The interns will work in 16 different internal divisions and 70 departments, in both the Amway World Headquarters and the Nutrilite facility in Buena Park, California. These internal divisions range from supply chain management to marketing to human resources. They come from 33 different colleges and represent 58 majors.

Interns are excited to get started on what Jon Brickner, a recruiter with talent acquisition, refers to as their “12 week interview.”

While we routinely hire interns every summer, our approach was slightly different this time around. Interns were hired based on projected future positions within departments, to help create a pipeline for talent, geared toward converting interns into full-time employees.

I’m one of those interns and will be sharing my experiences – as well as those of other Amway interns – with you here at The Amway Insider.

Editor’s Note:  This post was originally published on the Interns Expose Amway blog.

You read it correctly. Penelope Trunk, founder of Brazeen Careerist, offers advice in a recent blog post, “fire up your career by paying close attention to the people with the least work experience.” (i.e. interns.)

As an intern reading this, I simply thought, “why?” And it’s not because I have absolutely no self-worth as an intern, I just have never read or heard such a statement before.

Let me back up, though. As a public relations intern for Amway’s corporate communications department, I feel far from an intern. I’m treated as a team member and respected as one, too. So, when I read Penelope’s post about how advantageous befriending an intern is for your career, I was intrigued.

Sure, young professionals bring new, fresh ideas to the board, are tech-friendly and addicted to social media, but Penelope gives detailed examples on how befriending her interns lead to great things. Examples of the benefits include finding inspiration and encouragement from her interns, and mentoring them in such a way where she’d want to be lead by them someday.

These are all very valid examples and I think they can be directly related to Amway interns’ experiences. Our mentors and managers want us to succeed and want us to have a bright future. So they aggressively encourage and anticipate their intern’s best work. The interns, on the other hand, benefit from such high expectations because then we put our best foot forward and learn.

I’m a firm believer in Penelope’s example of finding encouragement and inspiration through interns. From a outsider looking in, interns can bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to a company that can ultimately be a result of inspiration for a mentor, manager or team member.

Can you contribute any examples on why it’s important to befriend an intern?

Editor’s Note:  This post was originally published on the Interns Expose Amway blog.

I have no idea where the summer went!  It seems like I just started, but now I’m preparing my final presentation, putting the final touches on my project, and saying ‘bye’ to some amazing friends I made!  It feels like the end to summer camp.  Remember that feeling?  Preparing your end of summer skit, collecting all the crafts you made over the summer, and having to say ‘bye’ to your new best friends?  Yeah, feels like that. 

The end of an experience like this always comes with mixed emotions.  Sad to leave something that feels so familiar (even after just a short amount of time), sad to leave “grown-up” life (yes, I actually like working in a corporate environment), and sad to leave not only the interns I have grown to love, but the people I work with as well.  It also comes with excitement.  Excitement at how much I have learned in such a short amount of time, excitement to actually apply what I have learned, and excitement that my internship experience was worth the 40 hr days (when my friends were on the beach)!  Totally worth it!

My final presentation is August 11th…I’ll let you know how it goes!

Editor’s Note:  This post was originally published on the Interns Expose Amway blog.

 Amway intern Alicia Dembinski organized and participated in this year’s Reverse Career Fair, an event where interns show off their internship projects, and connect and meet upper management from different areas in the company. Below, Alicia shares her experience in organizing the event.

As an intern in the Special Events department, the Reverse Career Fair was my summer “project” so to speak. A lot of planning and prep went into making it a success!

When I first started my internship at Amway in June, I was immediately thrown into events, assisting planners with on-site execution – which I loved! In this field, it’s all about experience. While I found the execution of events beneficial, I hadn’t really gotten any exposure to all of the planning and prep work that happens before execution. My mentor thought it would be a great idea for me to get involved with some of the intern events, so we met with HR and I hopped on board the Reverse Career Fair project.

As a Hospitality Management major at Grand Valley State University and an active member of my campus programming board, I had a pretty good idea about organizing and executing events. However, I was not prepared for the amount of details that the Reverse Career Fair would entail!

Finding a way to get organized was a must; in fact, my mentor subtly hinted so during a one on one meeting as I was rifling through sheets and sheets of notes to discuss how plans were going. Needles to say, I got the hint and was honestly feeling a little frustrated with my lack of organization. At our next meeting, I proudly presented a tabbed binder and started to feel like I was on the right track.

One of the first elements I focused on was the layout of the event. Last year, HR utilized a circular arrangement of tables in the World Headquarters Auditorium, including tables on the mezzanine level. The refreshments were housed in the side room near the kitchen and each session lasted two and a half hours. Based on feedback, the refreshments were hardly touched due to their “hidden” location, the traffic flow of the room was not ideal, and the sessions seemed to last too long.

I could go on and on about what actually went into planning this event, but to keep this short, here’s a list of all the elements instead:

• Attendees
• Room set up
• Survey (info. for name badges, tent cards, attendance numbers, electrical needs, dietary restrictions)
• Communication pieces to Nutrilite and Ada interns
• Agenda
• Travel, lodging, and transportation for Nutrilite
• Refreshments at the event
• Printed pieces: Name badges, tent cards, layout handouts
• Check-in materials
• Dinner arrangements
• PowerPoint slide show (info. pulled from intern profiles on SharePoint)
• Budget

It’s crazy to think about how much prep work really does go into an event, and when the event day finally arrives, it’s like putting on a show! I felt pretty confident for the Reverse Career Fair but rule of thumb in the event world: nothing ever goes according to plan. This is why thinking ahead and risk management are also key elements in the field.

Overall, the event went very smoothly and everyone who participated seemed to find it very beneficial. It was such a great experience to plan and execute a large event from start to finish! I will be presenting this event to my department in a few weeks to discuss challenges, lessons learned, etc.

Thank you to all who participated and I hope you enjoyed the “show”! J

Editor’s Note:  This post was originally published on the Interns Expose Amway blog.

When we were little, we dreamed about what we would be when we grew up. Most of us are still dreaming up anything from being a rocket scientist to president of the United States, but we interns are facing the reality of having to join the real world in the near future.  I have done a couple of internships before, both of them a bit unusual, but I have dubbed my time at Amway as my first “big girl” job.  I graduate in a year, which means I am at that crucial point in my life where I am reaching a crossroads whose outcome will set the tone for the rest of my life.  I feel like a summer placement at Amway is the perfect opportunity to help me sort myself out.

The College Talent Acquisition Program at Amway provides so many opportunities outside of the internship itself that really give college students a good look into corporate life and the professional world.  From events like the Executive Breakfasts to the informational lectures of the Passport Series, they try to provide us with as many opportunities to learn as possible.  Amway staff are very accessible and will gladly take time out of their busy schedules to discuss career choices, professional development and higher education.  This program is an invaluable chance to really make the most out of an internship opportunity and prepare for our future careers.

Some people view this time of choice as a scary period of uncertainty and a time when all fun and childhood curiosity end.  I, however, see it as a time of opportunity and experience, both professional and personal.  The possibilities for the future are endless and Amway does a wonderful job of showing us what we can achieve through the opportunities of the intern program.  This is the time to dream big like we did when we were kids, except now we can make these dreams come true.

Editor’s Note:  This post was originally published on the Interns Expose Amway blog.

Please welcome Jessica and Ashley, two interns in California who have joined our team of Amway intern bloggers. They will be sharing their internship experiences as they happen on the other side of the country. Jessica works in Quality Assurance for Nutrilite in Buena Park, Calif. and Ashley is an intern at a Nutrilite farm in Lakeview, Calif.

Before they start blogging, let’s get to know them a little by reading an introduction written by each of them.

Jessica Bird

Hello fellow Amway Interns! My name is Jessica Bird and I am an intern out in beautiful Buena Park, California.  I am from Indiana, thus coming out to California has been such an exciting experience.  The fact that I have been here for almost 1 month and have yet to see a drop of rain is probably the most confusing/amazing thing I have ever experienced!  It’s my understanding that there has not been much blogging coming from the west coast locations, so I volunteered to share with you my (and other Cali intern’s) experiences at Nutrilite.  I’ll start with telling you a little about myself, and what brought me to California….

I just graduated from Purdue University and double majored in Dietetics and Nutrition/Fitness/Health.  To become a Registered Dietitian, I am required to complete a clinical internship at another university.  This usually lasts about 1 year, depending on the program.  A friend in my major at Purdue, Samantha Izzy, had been an intern at Nutrilite the past two summers.  She convinced me to apply for an internship, and after hearing about the wonderful experience and amazing location that Nutrilite has to offer, I applied with little hesitation.  Upon hearing about my placement into Amway’s Internship program, I was able to move in with Samantha (who has since accepted full-time employment here at BP Nutrilite) in West LA.

Now, starting my fourth week in the Quality Assurance branch of Nutrilite, I can honestly say I am having the time of my life.  Not only are all of my coworkers and fellow interns welcoming and amazing to work with, we also get to do fun activities as interns.  Last week we (each intern and his/her mentor) got to go to the House of Blues in Disneyland for a dinner.  I think it is so great the lengths Amway goes to make their interns feel comfortable.  Earlier in the week, Dr. Sam even had a lunch and learn with us! He talked about his book, his experiences at Nutrilite, and answered questions from the interns.  It was so special to be able to get the experience to meet him.  I (as well as the other California interns) am also looking forward to going to Ada for the Reverse Career Fair in July!

Ashley Wright

Hi everyone!  My name is Ashley Wright, and I am from Sand Lake, Michigan and a recent graduate from Michigan State, with a degree in Food Science.  This summer, I am an intern in Lakeview, CA working with the Powder Drink manufacturing group and am currently in my 5th week.  But this isn’t my first rodeo.  Last summer, I was a Food & Beverage intern at Amway, working with chocolate!  It was a great internship as I learned how to create chocolate-based products that incorporated ingredients similar to those found in vitamins.

This summer, I have a completely different role; I am working on optimizing the Positrim line-looking into ways to make it run better and perform as efficiently as possible.  Additionally, I am creating training manual for the line operators, specifically focusing on pH testing and sensory characteristics so that when they start a new flavor, they don’t have to wait for QC before they can continue running.  Finally, I am shadowing as many people while I am here as possible, so that I can learn how different areas in manufacturing function and interact with each other, because my ultimate goal is to be in management.  So that’s a brief overview about what I am doing, but I really want to focus on the question I am asked all the time:  What is it like in California compared to Michigan?

There are some differences-California has LOTS of traffic, Michigan does not; Michigan has pine trees, California has palm trees; Lakeview is very small, Ada is large (in comparison).  While there are many surface differences, the most important elements are the same-the people.  Everyone is willing to stop what they are doing to help you solve your problem-be it chocolate that tastes funny, or teach you what all the buttons do to run the equipment.  They are warm, friendly people who genuinely care about you and helping you grow in your career choice.  They want you to succeed in what you are setting out to do.  I even found this true of the people in the surrounding cities.  I was new in town, and the person showing me around the gym near my apartment gave me his number (not trying to hit on me!) and told me to call him if I ever needed help or got lost or even just needed to know how to get to the grocery store.  The same is true of the people in Michigan.  So while there are differences between the 2 regions on the surface, the people are the same-always willing to help everyone around them be as successful as possible.

Editor’s Note:  This post was originally published on the Interns Expose Amway blog.

I really didn’t know what to expect when I came to Amway six weeks ago, but I have definitely been on a winding yellow brick road of new experiences.  I am an advertising and design student who usually takes classes in marketing, branding, information graphics and creative media.  When the summer swept me off my feet, however, I was blown into the far away land of Information Technology.

In this strange new land they spoke a different language and had a different way of doing things, and I have to admit, I was completely out of my element at first.  With tons of confusing acronyms being thrown around and terms I had never even heard of showing up in my emails, I really thought I was in over my head.  As I powered through the new material and decided I would learn as much as possible about IT, this scary misadventure quickly became an exciting journey.

So far this summer, I have learned so much about new things I would have never imagined I’d be working with.  I had never done anything with IT in the past, but now that I have it has opened my eyes to a whole new field and a whole new way of applying the skills I have learned while earning my degrees.  I have met some great people along the way who have helped me discover that I have the courage to delve into foreign topics, that I do have a more technical side to my brain and most importantly, that I have a huge appreciation and a place in my heart for IT.

Editor’s Note:  This post was originally published on the Interns Expose Amway blog.

This year, Amway is a major sponsor for the 2010 U.S. Junior Amateur Golf Tournament at Egypt Valley Country Club.  Because I’m interning in brand marketing, I am fortunate enough to be part of this event.  The tournament doesn’t happen until mid July, but last Friday was the media day – the day where media and Amway executives enjoyed a game of golf.  I’m not a golfer, Amway executive, or media personal, so what did that mean for me last Friday?  Well besides pulling out of the drive way at 5:30am for set up, working with some great people in the special events department, shaking hands with Amway executives, and eating several free meals …it meant a day at the country club!  The weather could not have been better for the event: warm and sunny with a light breeze.  In my opinion, this was the best weather Michigan has offered all summer!

Here’s how the day went: When the players arrived, they went to the Amway tent and were given an Amway gift bag filled with some great Amway products, breakfast was served in one of the country club’s dining areas (very tasty), and then they set out in teams of five to play some golf!  As they traveled the 18-hole course, they came across several eSpring water stations where they could fill up their Nutrilite water bottles.  Nutrilite snack bars and energy bars were also provided at the water stations.  At the end of the morning, three people were crowned winners and given Amway gifts at the luncheon (delicious food!).  The gifts included an eSpring water filtration unit, a large gift basket of Nutrilite products, or a large basket of Artistry products.  The day was a success!

A day at the country club, PR experience, and special events experience…no complaints from my end!

Editor’s Note:  This post was originally published on the Interns Expose Amway blog.

The beginning of the summer has represented an opportunity to pursue my dreams and it is the clearest example that I have succeeded in completing one of the goals that I set for myself when I arrived in Business School.

Two years ago when I applied to Kellogg School of Management, I described in my essays (and in my Business Week blog) how I wanted to become a brand manager at a cosmetics company to create holistic well-being in direct sales to use my talents in favor of improving the world.

The way I arrived at Amway was somehow unusual. As part of my plan B recruiting I continued to look at beauty companies, but searched for operations jobs to at least secure a change in geography and industry. A change of industry, function and geography seemed like a very complex challenge, because most companies would not trust a Chemical Engineer with 5 years of work experience in operations to become a world class marketer.

After a wonderful experience in Ada and an interview that seemed like a friendly talk with the Vice President, Director and Manager of Supply Chain, I received an offer from the center of excellence that I was uncertain to take. I had really liked the company, but I was uncertain of how taking that path brought me closer to my long term career goal: to become a General Manager who can eventually have more impact in the world.

Not willing to give up, I decided to seek advice from MBA’s who were in my dream job in the industry to see if an eventual transition would be possible or if I should stick to my plan to career change during the summer, even if it was in a startup company or scarifying the geography. That determination caused for me to cold call my current manager, an MBA from Duke University to ask her for advice. That advice request converted into an internship opportunity of what I, now call: my dream job.

Two weeks ago, I moved from Chicago to Grand Rapids, Michigan where Amway’s head quarters are located to become a brand manager MBA intern in the color cosmetics business.

My summer project involves working in a very interesting challenge that requires implementing strategic and tactical measures. Using creative, leadership, strategic thinking and analytical skills mixed with marketing, finance, accounting, design, and operations knowledge to solve it. This seems like the perfect opportunity to put to work every course I have taken in both of the programs that I am pursuing, my MBA and MEM.

To gain a rounded experience, it is as important as the internship challenge and project relevance to me, having fun during the summer and getting to know better the company’s culture and employees. For that, HR has made an excellent effort to bring together my fellow intern class. We have been involved in activities ranging from Intern Olympics and baseball games, to lunch and learns where we get to experience a department and other interns projects.

Additionally, HR did a great job in putting together an intern class which is quite diverse, we range between 19 and 28 years old, we hold different school majors from public communications to mechanical engineering, and are pursuing different disciplines in our internships and current graduate studies to solve different projects that contribute to the company transformation. We come from several parts of the world- did I mention that I was born and raised in Mexico? But I have lived in 7 countries in the past 10 years-  one of the most amazing things at Amway is that despite of this diversity, all of us have one goal in common which is succeed at our internship.

My experience at Amway has been one with many first times, something unusual for somebody who had spent over 5 years in the work force. This is the first time in my career that I received flowers in my desk on my first working day and that I was welcomed with a lunch by my entire department, when my team who is in New York attended via videoconference.  I believe, that explains why most of Amway’s employees have been with the company for double digit years.

I am really excited for the challenges of this summer, because now I have a new set of goals to accomplish for myself and a commitment to reciprocate the trust that my manager invested on me.

Is there any time when you dared to challenge the status quo to follow your dreams?

Editor’s Note:  This post was originally published on the Interns Expose Amway blog.

My name is Kylie Carlson and I am in my fourth week as a Communications and Training intern in Change Management.  My project is to come up with a brand and marketing campaign for the ATLAS Project Center of Excellence.  I am going to be creating and designing some fun stuff this summer, but first let me tell you a little bit about myself….

I am a senior studying advertising, graphic design and German at Ball State University in Indiana.  I am from Holland, so I am back home in west Michigan for the summer! My favorite hobby is traveling and I have done five study abroad programs in the last three years, including a summer internship at a palace in Austria and two semesters in the UK.  I love to design and create and my favorite parts of advertising are branding, alternative media and guerrilla campaigning.  I also enjoy music, British literature, art, volunteering, shopping and of course spending time with friends and family.

I am really excited to be at Amway for the summer because of all the wonderful things I have heard about the company and their intern program.  Having lived in West Michigan for most of my life, I never realized just how huge Amway is and the impact they have on communities around the world.  I am very excited to be part of it all!