This fall, Southwestern Advantage is proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of its 2024 summer interns through a series of awards banquets across the country. With events already held in Alabama, Texas, and Tennessee the excitement continues with upcoming banquets in Florida, Illinois, and Iowa.
Honoring the Best Summer Job for College Students
Interns participating in Southwestern Advantage’s unique program, known for being one of the best summer jobs for college students, are celebrated for their hard work, dedication, and growth. Throughout the summer, students took on the challenge of balancing running their own business with their personal development, gaining valuable sales and leadership experience along the way.
Award Highlights: Recognizing Intern Excellence
At the heart of these banquets are awards that celebrate both performance and leadership:
- Gold Award – Given to students who demonstrated exceptional commitment by working at least 75 hours per week all summer.
- Superstar Sales Case – Recognizes those who made 180+ product demonstrations weekly while maintaining high work hours.
- I Wanna Win Award – Honors students who had the best sales week during the final weeks of the summer.
- Triple Crown Award – Reserved for students who achieved all three major honors: the Gold Award, Superstar Sales Case, and I Wanna Win Award.
These prestigious awards represent the dedication, perseverance, and incredible work ethic of Southwestern Advantage interns, who excel in one of the most challenging and rewarding college internships available today.
The Sizzler Incentive Trip: Rewarding Achievement
One of the most highly anticipated awards, the Sizzler Incentive Trip, has been won by over 200 students this year, granting them an all-expenses-paid trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. This incentive not only recognizes outstanding sales performance but also encourages a commitment to personal growth and community involvement. While in Mexico, students will visit an impoverished community they helped support with a portion of their profit, embodying Southwestern Advantage’s value of giving back. To watch the 2023 Southwestern Advantage Sizzler Service Project video, click here.
Recognizing Leadership and Mentorship
Leadership is a core value of Southwestern Advantage, and experienced students who mentored first-year participants can earn special awards, such as the Growth Award for increasing sales by 1,000 units from the previous year. The Top Team Leader Award is another coveted recognition, highlighting those who excelled in leading, recruiting, and motivating their teams throughout the summer. Thai Tran shared, “My second year with Southwestern Advantage was full of lessons, and the biggest one was this: the best way to grow is by helping others grow. Leading, teaching, and coaching alongside an incredible team brought challenges—disappointments, fears, and setbacks—but also immense joy and gratitude. This journey is special because of the people I’ve shared it with, and I can’t wait for what comes next!”
More Than Just A Summer Internship for College Students
For Southwestern Advantage interns, the summer was more than just a way to make money as a college student—it was a life-changing experience that built character and confidence. Interns learned the importance of setting goals, practicing self-discipline, and serving others. They also developed leadership skills that will serve them well beyond college, making this internship an ideal stepping-stone toward a successful future. Student leader Bryan Fernandez, who just completed his fourth summer with Southwestern Advantage, shared what his journey has been like: “Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them and it will change your life.”
Looking Forward to Graduation and Beyond
As students prepare for graduation and the next stages of their careers, Southwestern Advantage equips them with the tools they need to succeed in any field. The hands-on experience gained from building a business in the Southwestern program will set them apart in the workforce, whether they continue in sales or pursue other entrepreneurial ventures.
