Dave Causer, PresidentFor nearly 160 years—making it the oldest internship program in the U.S.—generations of college students have accepted the challenge of joining the Southwestern Advantage program, learning not just how to sell, but how to lead, adapt, and succeed under real-world circumstances.
In addition to the many business leaders who started in Southwestern Advantage’s entrepreneurship program, many participants are greatly influenced by their culture of public service. A couple of examples would be Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity and Morris Dees, founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center. Both are world changing organizations that were fostered in Southwestern Advantage’s culture of serving others and giving back. Other distinguished alumni in public service include four Governors, two U.S. Senators, and the current Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Unlike traditional roles where students shadow professionals or complete predefined tasks, this program places them at the helm of their own enterprise. Students lead every part of the process, selling educational and leadership materials door-to-door through a structured system of referrals and in-home consultations with families.
Looking for a Challenge?
“Our goal is to impart the interns with more than just exceptional sales skills,” says Dave Causer, President. “Our program is a full immersion into the mindset of an entrepreneur, where students walk away with the critical thinking skills, confidence, problem-solving abilities, discipline and exceptional communication skills to confidently build their own futures.”
High-performing students are often invited to pursue full-time careers within the broader Southwestern Family of Companies, with positions available in sales, consulting, travel, executive coaching, insurance, real estate and international exchanges.
Graduate from University with More than a Resume
It would be fair to say that Southwestern Advantage’s sales and leadership program transforms a summer program into a launching pad for real-world entrepreneurship, personal development, and authentic leadership.
Many participants spend four or more summers advancing to a new leadership position each year. These opportunities give the participants an opportunity to cover a significant amount of their university expenses. When one stops to think about it, it makes perfect sense that a university student would set up a business selling educational and leadership materials door-to-door to assist families with their children’s education.
The Internship that Builds Entrepreneurs
During the first week of the internship, students undergo intensive sales and leadership training. The fast-paced, high-energy environment is designed to shift their mindset from student to entrepreneur. They learn to set measurable goals, manage their time like business owners, and build the mental resilience needed to navigate the ups and downs of independent work.
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Our goal is to teach them more than just sales. It’s a full immersion into the mindset of an entrepreneur, where students walk away with hard-earned soft skills like confidence, communication, problem-solving and discipline
After training, students relocate in teams to various parts of the U.S., living with American host families for the duration of the internship. This homestay experience adds cultural richness to the program, providing a supportive home base and deepening their connection to the communities they serve.
Students are paired with experienced mentors during the early days of the job, helping them build confidence and momentum.
Team members stay connected throughout the summer, regrouping weekly for Sunday meetings that include advanced training, performance reflection, and shared problem-solving. By the end of the program, students return with more than results—they come back with inspiring stories of resilience, personal breakthroughs, and hard-earned wins, along with a deeper understanding of their capacity to lead.
Even after the internship ends, Southwestern continues to invest in their development year-round, hosting quarterly seminars to sharpen business and leadership skills while keeping them connected to a like-minded network of peers and mentors.
Though based in the U.S., the program’s impact is global. Over the years, more than 12,000 international students from 54 countries have joined through the J-1 visa program, each carrying the lessons of the summer back to their home countries.
Standout examples include Stephen Fitzpatrick and Sophie Gould-Bennett, two students from the UK who spent several summers with Southwestern Advantage. The entrepreneurial skills, grit, and perspective they gained helped them launch OVO Energy, now one of the UK’s largest independent energy suppliers, employing over 2,000 people.
Their journey reflects the company’s objective: “We build people, and those people are building great companies.”
Academic Support with a Deeper Purpose
One of the educational materials sold by students during the internship is the Southwestern Advantage study guides, which are designed to help families effectively support day-to-day schoolwork at home. When a child struggles with a math formula or science concept, families can flip to the relevant page and find a step-by-step explanation. If parents feel uncertain about how to help, they can visit Southwestern Global Academy, enter the page number from the study guide, and access a step-by-step video walkthrough.
The same leadership training Southwestern Advantage interns receive during their summer experience is also available to families. The LEAD program (Leadership, Education, Accountability, making a Difference) focuses on life skills rarely taught in school—vision boarding, time management, goal setting, peer pressure, and foundational money habits. Offering a framework for these conversations gives parents an approachable way to support their children’s growth beyond academics.
Guiding Principles, a leadership series rooted in core values, is also included in the product package. It explores foundational themes like forgiveness, honesty, and self-awareness, with each topic designed to spark meaningful conversations among families or within organizations. These guided discussions foster deeper learning, helping individuals, whether in families or organizations, internalize what it means to grow into self-aware, value-driven leaders.
These programs have shaped students who have gone on to lead in remarkable ways, including in public service. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt spent his college summers with Southwestern Advantage. At the end of his first summer, his sales leader asked him to write down 25 life goals. One of those— initially crossed out and rewritten—was to become governor. Years later, he ran and won, despite having no political background. What he did have was the grit, confidence, and business mindset he developed during his entrepreneurial internship.
Expanding Reach, Deepening Impact
Touching the lives of more young people is the vision Southwestern Advantage continues to pursue. By expanding its presence on university campuses, increasing awareness among students and parents, and continually introducing new products that reflect the evolving needs of families, the company is creating a far-reaching impact.
To support students beyond the program, Southwestern Advantage has developed a career placement center to help participants transition into full-time roles. Whether students go on to join one of the company’s 25+ affiliated businesses or launch careers in industries like finance, education, or public service, the experience helps set them apart in a crowded job market.
Stories like these reveal something deeper than sales and leadership training. Southwestern Advantage offers students a proving ground to challenge themselves, build resilience, and emerge with the skills and confidence needed to shape a successful career.
