Southern University System
07/19/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/19/2024 08:52
Southern students participate in Coca-Cola Pay It Forward internship program
Southern students participate in Coca-Cola Pay It Forward internship program
Date July 19, 2024
Two Southern University students were recently selected by Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc. (UNITED) for the 2024 class of its Pay It Forward internship program, a week-long experience that provides students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities an opportunity to celebrate their achievements and build on their success.
In Coca-Cola UNITED's West Region, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Southern students Curtis Williams and Kinnady Barlow were among the 31 students selected. Each student will receive a $2,000 stipend upon completion of the internship, as well as a lifetime Coca-Cola Brand Ambassadorship.
From July 15-19, students gained experience in a wide range of roles at Coca-Cola UNITED, including sales, production, marketing and human resources. Among the main goals of Pay It Forward is to teach the students, to put it simply, how to go to work. The internship seeks to expose students to day-to-day business operations, the importance of networking and other skillsets that will prepare them for the job market.
"We are thrilled to welcome this year's outstanding group of students to our Pay It Forward program," said Coca-Cola UNITED President and CEO Mike Suco. "This internship is more than just a learning opportunity; it's a platform for these future leaders to network, grow and better envision their career paths."
In addition to hearing from Suco and other leaders within the company, the students also had a special session with Larry Thornton of the Why Not Win Institute - a nonprofit organization that develops and cultivates individual excellence by bringing leaders and key leadership topics to current and future leaders.
In 2015, Coca-Cola UNITED teams in Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama established Pay It Forward to provide students with opportunities to succeed. Since that time, more than 100 students have participated in the program.