Bethany:
Bethany is from St. Joseph, Michigan and now lives in Grand Rapids. She graduated from Grand Valley State University in December of 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising and Public Relations.
Bethany is excited to be at the beginning of her career, knowing that there are many different paths that she can take with her degree. Her strong interest is to work in the Experiential Marketing area, focusing on sponsorships and events, and eventually becoming a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP).
What was the best aspect of your Amway internship:
My experience working with several different departments and people around our company has been one of the best aspects of my internship. Also, being able to have a valued role in various projects within those departments allowed me to jump right in and learn. I began my internship working to launch the Interns Expose Amway video series and blog which is a behind the scenes look at Amway as a company and the people and jobs at Amway from an intern’s perspective. I met so many great employees with unique and fun personalities. It really helped me to understand the culture and friendly atmosphere we have at Amway.
Did your experience provide valuable experience applicable to the real world:
Absolutely! My internship has not only provided great experience in public relations but has also given me unexpected, but relevant experience in areas I did not realize I would have, allowing me to be even more versatile in my future career. Because Amway is such a large company, there are so many departments you come in contact with and that is definitely a unique benefit. I also feel very blessed to have the mentors I have had here. Their guidance and professionalism has set a great example for me to follow as I grow in my future career.
What were the main responsibilities of your internship:
My internship began launching and hosting the Interns Expose Amway video series and blog. My responsibilities expanded to support several social media initiatives, such as maintaining our company blog as well as public relations programs, such as product promotions and media events. More recently, I’ve been working closely with our Experiential Marketing team in activating all Amway Global sponsorships and events. I am responsible for ordering and shipping all event assets for programs like Amway Global’s Mobile Brand Experience tour that educates consumers and creates awareness of our flagship brands.
What skills and knowledge did you bring to your internship:
Various leadership positions I have held helped me to be confident and know how to take ownership of projects. My involvement in Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), previous internships and coursework completed at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) was also very beneficial. A few of the skills I brought to my internship are my ability to be organized, stay relaxed and flexible under pressure. I think a sense of humor is really important because being able to laugh in stressful situations and having fun, while still getting work done, makes the office a little more light-hearted and comfortable for everyone.
What suggestions do you have for other students who are interested in applying:
One recommendation for someone who is interested in applying for an Amway internship is to research the company first. It is always important to understand a company’s culture and vision before exploring if you are a right fit for the company. One great place to look is our website and more specifically our company intern blog site. The Interns Expose Amway blog site will not only provide information about what projects interns are working on currently at the company, but allow you to catch a glimpse into the culture of our company.
Also, think about what skills and experience you can offer the company, and not just about getting a job. If you know what area you are interested, request to meet with someone in the department to ask questions and learn more about their job. This way, you can see if you would be a good fit in that area.
Be sure to check out what Kevin, Manager of College Talent and Candidate Experience, and fellow intern Charlotte have to say about Amway internships.
