Independent Contractor Review

A great learning experience and really enjoyed the job; overall a great learning curve. On the negative side, you do work very hard with not much time to socialize so don't expect to spend much time at the beach!

A really great team atmosphere and a great bunch of confident and extremely-good-looking students.

Everyone who gives you advice and help throughout the summer has been in your shoes at some-point and can completely empathize with your struggles and successes. The management was friendly, personal and caring.

Work six days a week, 8am-9pm every day, outdoors in really hot conditions carrying a heavy bag of books and cycling between neighborhoods. I really enjoyed the physical challenge and I really enjoyed the hard work and sense of accomplishment after a long day, but don't bother doing this if you aren't self motivated and enjoy a challenge!

The whole summer depends on your attitude and willingness to learn/work hard. If youre lazy or if you arent teachable, you will learn nothing and make no money. If you are open minded, work hard and learn from what people teach you, you will have the best summer imaginable.

Its changed the way I look at the world and its changed my attitude in life. I'm a far more motivated and happier person after doing southwestern.

Constant energy of the people around you was really motivating. There was a constant sense of healthy competition between us all and a real atmosphere of growth and personal development.

The company has been around since the 1800's so it was fantastically organized and thought through.

The whole internship is designed to help you do well during the summer and also later on in life. Every day I learnt something, and the professional sales training we got was great!

The Southwestern Company invites students back each year as managers, and if sales isnt your thing you have the opportunity to move to one of its many sister companies instead.

Everyone on the internship was great and I met tones of great friends that I will keep forever. Some really inspiring people. There was also a real camaraderie built very quickly. However, there is not too much social time as you are concentrating on running your own successful independent business.

Really cheap to live and because you were working so hard you didnt need to spend lots on going out etc, however travel to the USA from the UK, and travel between the company HQ in Nashville and Washington does cost.

I'm sure the nightlife in Washington DC was great, but I was really involved in my own work and didn't pay much attention to it! However at the end of your 12 weeks selling its tradition for everyone to take a week long road trip to the Smokey mountains, rent a chalet and party- thats great fun.

Lots of hard work during the week but on sundays we would all go and do something fun. It really depends on where you are based and how great the local activities are!