How can we make the most of our Amway internship – known here as the 12-week interview?

The Talent Acquisition team hosted a panel of past interns who are now full-time Amway employees to welcome the 2012 internship class to Amway World Headquarters. They answered our questions, shared their Amway stories and offered us words of wisdom.

Three common themes emerged:

A friendly, encouraging culture matters. The culture, which drew interns to Amway in the first place, was so engaging that it brought them back for full-time jobs – even after “wow” experiences like an internship at Walt Disney World.

Actions speak louder than words. People who truly live the company’s values create a welcoming workplace.

Connect with other interns and employees. Many interns are hired for positions – but not necessarily in the same area. Having connections with management outside of their department played a large role in being offered those full-time positions.

Thanks to our panel, we left confident and inspired, ready to get the most out of our Amway experience.

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.

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.

 I recently traveled to California where interns from Nutrilite’s Center for Optimal Health, a Nutrilite farm in Lakeview, Trout Lake Farm and four interns from Amway Hong Kong gathered for a two-day intern event. I will share my experience in four parts, each focusing on a different aspect of the trip.

In California, I caught up with six former Amway interns turned full-time employees that now work in California at the Nutrilite Health Institute. I sat down with them and chatted about their internship at Amway and what life is like as a full-time employee.

Lauren was an intern at Amway twice. She currently works for Nutrilite’s supplement production operations.

Samson began his internship in June 2009 and was hired as a full-time employee in March 2010. He is a software developer for Nutrilite.

Hongjinn was an intern at Amway during the summer 2008. He currently works in supply chain planning at Nutrilite.

Heather was an intern at Amway during the summer 2008 and was hired full-time the following summer. She is an associate scientist for Nutrilite’s supplement product development department.

Dave completed a co-op at Amway in 2006 and returned in 2008 where he spent one year working in research and development in Michigan before he was hired. He is now an associate scientist in product and development manufacturing at Nutrilite.

Lisa interned last summer (2009) and is currently manager of the NutriCert program.

What did you enjoy most about being an intern at Amway?

Lauren: I really enjoyed having my own project to work on. It was nice to be able to have that freedom and responsibility to work toward a goal and make it what you want it to be.

Dave: The fact that the work I was given truly meant something to the company. I also greatly enjoyed seeing so many different sides of business all on one complex.  I learned a great deal through intern lunches about areas I might have never seen.

Heather: Ahh… there are so many things I enjoyed! That’s why I’m still here! I loved that my project was important, had visibility, and had an impact.  I loved the people I worked with, their willingness to help me at the drop of a hat, and their passion for their work.  I loved the respect I received from colleagues at all  levels, even only being an intern.  I loved that my opinion was valued and well received.  The intern program in general was also great; not only was it extremely well organized and helpful from a functional level, but knowing how much time, effort, and resources the company puts into new recruitment and talent was/is very encouraging and exciting for me.

Hongjinn: The best part of my internship were my projects. They were challenging and had a lot of visibility.  It was rewarding to work on something that had an impact in my department. 

Samson: My internship project is not a project that a lot of companies would trust their intern to handle.  However, Nutrilite and the IT department showed an enormous amount of trust in me and gave me a project that was crucial for the packaging department.  Also, the experience I obtained was amazing. I felt that I learned more about programming at Nutrilite as an intern than I did in college.

Lisa: I enjoyed helping strengthen a triple-bottom-line program that will affect countries around the world, learning how cross-functional departments collaborate, learning about how to effect positive change in a large corporation, the opportunity to visit our organic farm in Trout Lake, Washington and the reverse career fair.

Do you have any advice for current or future interns about the job search as a new grad?

Dave: Make sure you find a location that gives you all of the opportunities you need to develop a strong resume.  Even if you find that is not going to be the company for you, make sure you are developing your skill set to the fullest.

Lauren: Make as many contacts as possible, and keep in contact with them – don’t let them forget you. Show that you enjoy the company and you want to be there. People throughout the company really do want to get to know you. I learned during my internship that personal relationships mean a lot at this company.

Heather: If the opportunity is available to you, try internships with other industries, company sizes, public vs. private, etc.  I was fortunate enough to be able to do so with 2 other companies prior to landing my Amway internship, and it was SO valuable to be able to compare my experiences between the various places. 

Hongjinn: Make time for 1-on-1s with people outside of your department.  Positive feedback from someone in a different group to your mentor or manager can make a big impact.  Outside of Amway, work hard to drive results so you have a lot to put down on your resume.

Lisa: Approach your internship as if it had no boundaries– fearlessly but respectfully contacting other departments and uplines, trying to grasp the big picture and demonstrating that you will be able to navigate the corporation’s network effectively to add future value.  Also, always send thank-you’s to people that took the time to speak or meet with you. Regarding the job search, “it’s all about networking”.  That can sound intimidating, but if you know a business or industry in which you want to work, the best way to acquire a job (especially in today’s job climate) is to find contacts in those organizations.

Samson: When I first started I was surprised of the level of passion that I saw from employees.  When talking about projects, you can see that individuals really want the absolute best for their department and for Nutrilite/Amway. If you care about the level of work and show pride, then working here becomes much more enjoyable and you see the best come out of you.  Also, try and take advantage of all you can.  The people within your department have 15-20 years experience and their knowledge is unmatched.

There you have it! Inside knowledge and advice from former Amway interns who are now full-time employees.

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!

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

Remember how you felt on your first day of freshman year in high school?  Excited to be ‘in high school’ yet painfully aware that you are the baby of the school?  That’s kind of how I expected to feel stepping into Amway on my first day.  Convinced there was a sign on my forehead reading NEWBE, I found comfort in the fact that there was no locker to be stuffed into or gym class to endure.  Okay okay, that’s a little extreme.  In reality, I felt like I belonged from the first moment I walked in.

When I walked into the Global Amway Brand Strategy department, my office was set up, a shiny new name plate reading ‘Esther Looker’ already made.  There were pens, pencils, and scissors in a cup next to my computers.  A stapler, calculator, a coffee mug, and a stack of sticky notes were all organized by my phone.  And the best part, my filing cabinet was filled with pink and purple file folders (yes, those are my favorite colors and no, I don’t still play with Barbies).  Kati Boland and David Madiol sure know how to make a person feel welcome!  After sharing this with my family, I learned that rarely is everything ready and waiting when you show up on your first day, especially in a company of this size.  Were your first moments as welcoming as mine?

I had always heard Amway genuinely cares about their employees, but what does that actually mean?  I got a pretty good idea the Tuesday after Memorial Day.  That weekend my 6 year old kitty (remember I’m a big animal lover) got quite sick and had to be hospitalized in kitty ICU early Sunday morning.  Around 11:00am on Tuesday I got a call from the Veterinarian saying I needed to come in (how am I suppose to come in, I’m at work?!).  Where I have worked in the past, leaving in the middle of the day at the last minute would not have gone over well…but too bad, I’ll just leave a note on David’s desk and try to explain myself when I get back.  Three hours later…I walk back into work, and do you know what David asked? “How did it go?  Is she going to be okay?”  I could have cried!  I’m an hourly intern and they still care about my cat!  Amazing!

Well I won’t write too much, because I’m sure you all are very busy working, right? (Shouldn’t you be working?).  I’ll write more about my project and work stuff next week…it will be very exciting, seriously!

And by the way, my kitty is at home now recovering!

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

Howdy!  Before I start blogging about my experience as an intern, let me use this post to introduce myself.  My name is Esther Looker, and I am from Dallas, Texas.  No, I did not ride a horse to school, but yes I do still say ya’ll.  I attended Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!) my freshman year and half of my sophomore year.  In January of my sophomore year, I moved to Lansing, MI where I am currently a senior at Michigan State University (Go Green!).  I come from a very diverse collection of majors; in other words, I have a hard time making up my mind.  After working at a veterinary hospital for years, I went into college majoring in pre-veterinary sciences, which changed to psychology and business, to English and secondary education, which changed to nutritional sciences, and finally communications with an emphasis on corporate/organizational communications.  Finally, I am in my “happy place” when it comes to majors!  I truly enjoy the diversity the corporate world has to offer, especially in a company like Amway.

This summer I am an intern in the Global Amway Brand Strategies department.  When I am not in my office, I am working with John Faye giving tours in the welcome center.  This summer I will be giving tours of the company as well as creating curriculum for tours tailored to different groups of people (i.e. distributors, VIPs, government officials, etcetera).  My goal is to understand the experience each group hopes to obtain when they come visit Amway, and to create tour curriculum that will best provide them with that experience.  I also believe I will be working with my team on a few PR projects throughout the summer as well (still not 100% sure on that one).

Given my wide array of majors and what I will be doing this summer, can you guess my hobby or passion?  It’s okay if you can’t, I understand that I’m a little all over the place!  Animals-I’m very interested in animal rights, vegetarian cooking, and playing a good game of “tug-tug” with my pup.  Before I embarked on college, I was active in training and showing horses in the English show ring.  I also enjoyed participating in equestrian endurance races as well.  One day I hope to get back into the horse world.

So that is a little about me.  I look forward to blogging and sharing my intern experience.