PepsiCo

Summer Intern: Supply Chain

June - August 2024 • Cranston, RI

What I liked

I really liked being in a large-scale manufacturing environment where you can actually touch and consume the products. When I say that I worked at Pepsi, I don’t have to explain what they do or sell like my previous experiences. I really liked how I was given a set project to complete. I enjoyed learning about Pepsi’s spare repair parts, their organizational systems, and proposing ways to improve it. Even when I could not work with the spare parts, I really enjoyed gaining experience with other areas of the facility. I also liked the intern information calls and available online trainings to learn about the company, even though it may have felt a bit excessive at times.

What I wish was different

To start, my assigned project was delayed and massively cut down due to the machine I was working on breaking multiple times and the repairs being delayed, which was out of their control. There was no real backup project, however, I took advantage of my downtime and asked around for new projects and experiences. I was able to get experience in maintenance, quality, and production, instead of just my maintenance project. Even though my scope was uncertain and actively changing, I still made the most of it and learned a lot in many fields of the manufacturing side of Pepsi.

Advice

Don’t be afraid to ask for help or what you can do to help. If your planned project is ever delayed, they would rather you help with something else rather than sit around waiting. Take advantage of the dozens of trainings available, especially through the PepU portal, to learn more about the company. Take initiative in your projects and try new things as there are many different experiences available at a single manufacturing site. Lastly, take advantage of networking events with other interns as they happen a few times during the summer.

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Supply Chain Intern

May - August 2023 • Liberty, NY

What I liked

I loved my internship especially because even though I only spent 2 months, everyone felt like family! You feel welcomed since Day 1; everyone is always willing to help!

What I wish was different

The only thing I would've wished was to do more activities throughout the internship with the Northeast interns. Although we went to Boston for our intern report-out with the rest of the interest, I wish I had known them before.

Advice

If you are interning for summer 2024, make sure to take advantage of this opportunity and get to know all the departments! Shadow workers and ask questions!

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Marketing Intern

May - August 2023 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

Overall I loved my summer internship experience! The culture at PepsiCo is amazing, everyone is very friendly and are really make sure all of the interns have a fun and enriching summer. I also love the amount of support that you receive throughout the internship with being paired with an intern buddy, manager, mentor, and also having many professional development workshops throughout.

What I wish was different

I do wish there was a little more collaboration between the different departments as far as possible joint intern projects or events to really learn about the business as a whole.

Advice

I would say to take ownership of your internship experience. Come in with goals that you want to achieve and/or skills you want to learn and navigate your way to make it happen. Also don't be afraid to speak up and share your thoughts whether it be during meetings, for different projects, or about anything else.

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Sales Management Intern

May - August 2023 • Charleston, SC

What I liked

I loved my internship with PepsiCo. They provided me with so many resources to learn. I enjoyed the people I worked with and loved that they allowed me to be hands-on. I would encourage anyone to apply for a position with PepsiCo.

What I wish was different

I wish I would have heard from my manager with some of the more specific details sooner. I felt like I was slightly unprepared for the first day.

Advice

Ask as many questions as you can. They offer so many resources for their interns, but it is up to you to take advantage of them. You are given managers, buddies, and mentors. There are many networking opportunities as well that you should take advantage of.

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Supply Chain Intern

May - August 2023 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I loved the company culture and the way everyone was so supportive and helpful. Everyone I worked with was so open to setting up time with me to go over questions I may have had and wanted to see my learn the most I possibly could have!

What I wish was different

I wish I would have had more time to continue learning and working with the team I was placed on. I am excited to return after graduation!

Advice

Always ask questions and try to make the most you possibly can out of the experience. Talk with everyone you possibly can!

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Software Development Engineering Intern

May - August 2023 • Plano, TX

What I liked

I loved all the hands-on experience I got. I made something the company could actually use. The rest of the internship program gave me a chance to meet and learn from many other interns and leaders in the company. Everyone is so willing to mentor interns and help them out. There are so many resources to also interns learn what they need for their job.

What I wish was different

I do wish I could meet other interns outside of my function.

Advice

To ace the interview process make sure to know the STAR method. I practiced it a whole before my interview and aced it.

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Project Management IT Intern

May - August 2023 • Harrison, NY

What I liked

I enjoyed the office and my fellow interns here. The company provides a variety of opportunities for growth professionally with networking opportunities.

What I wish was different

Advice

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District Sales Intern

May - August 2022 • Columbia, SC

What I liked

I enjoyed learning more Frito-Lay's operations and sales perspectives.

What I wish was different

I wish the experience was more intimate with senior personnels, a lot of the experience felt lonely.

Advice

I would share to consistently ask questions and take notes.

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Sales Management Intern

June - August 2022 • Kansas City, MO

What I liked

The overarching theme throughout my internship was "make what you want of it" through complete ownership of your work and experience. My internship was very robust and let me practice my interpersonal and leadership skills in a professional environment. I got to be involved with so many different things over the course of my internship such as sitting in on hiring interviews, community outreach, and setting up a convenience store before opening. There were plenty of professional development/networking opportunities with people at location but also at the corporate level at PepsiCo. I was able to work by myself at my own pace on my project most of the time, so if you are someone that enjoys working without people checking in on you all the time, this may be the job for you!

What I wish was different

Advice

Take ownership of your work. Take it seriously but make sure to have fun while at the same time. Being flexible and stepping up to do things that others might not want to will help you succeed.

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Sales Management Intern

May - August 2022 • Alexandria, LA

What I liked

I really enjoyed the autonomy and the freedom to build towards my summer project. Frito Lay is also very good about getting you connected with other members of the company and getting the chance to ask questions.

What I wish was different

I would prefer that I got to work with other interns as well. For my area, I was the only intern, and I covered all of Central Louisiana.

Advice

Ask a ton of questions and talk to as many other people as you can for advice and help! Everyone at Frito Lay is very nice and is willing to help you.

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Performance Intern

May - August 2022 • Charlotte, NC

What I liked

Great teams/manager, learned a lot about manufacturing, great experience

What I wish was different

Employees were transitioning roles and site director took another position. More structure to warehouse to assist interns.

Advice

Finish your projects. Get close with front line. Ask questions

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Sales Management Intern

May - August 2022 • Madison, WI

What I liked

I really enjoyed learning how a Fortune 50 company operates from the ground level up working with both senior management and front-line employees. I had to familiarize myself with PepsiCo selling techniques and metric-based data to increase execution in underperforming stores.

What I wish was different

I wish that there was a more structured plan for what responsibilities need to be achieved for a set week. However, when working in an industry with many moving parts, it is hard to plan ahead of time as there are always factors changing. Meaning, the individual must be very flexible and utilize time management carefully.

Advice

My piece of advice is to ask as many questions about things you are not familiar with when you start as that will only help your learning process and future success!

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Sales Management Intern

May - August 2022 • Phoenix, AZ

What I liked

Autonomy within the work day & friendly co-workers.

What I wish was different

I wish I knew more about the role before beginning the role.

Advice

Make the most of the all the opportunities that are given to you.

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Supply Chain Intern

June - August 2022 • St. Louis, MO

What I liked

I got great insight into how industrial America functions, especially in the beverage sector. I liked that I was able to ask my own questions and explore how the production plant worked. They also connected interns with mentors from other PepsiCo locations to have guided discussions, and I found these immensely helpful to vent my concerns or learn more about a career with PepsiCo.

What I wish was different

I wish my supervisors better laid out their expectations of me. It felt a little too free form at times, and I needed deadlines and projects to work on. I wish the company would have done more to facilitate events between employees as well. I only got to know the other STL interns at the end of the summer, as things were wrapping up.