My Sodexo Career Started with an Internship

We sat down with a few former interns, now full-time employees, to learn how the Sodexo Strategic Internship Program jumpstarted their careers and shaped their career paths.

The Sodexo Strategic Internship Program has proven to be successful in preparing college students for full-time opportunities at Sodexo. We asked a few former interns, who are now full-time employees, what it was like to intern with Sodexo and how it helped them decide what they wanted to do after graduation. Check out their stories!

Denzel Turner, General Manager (East Orange School District, New Jersey)

I started as a Sodexo facilities management intern in the summer of 2017. My time as an intern helped foster professional communication skills, teamwork, proactivity, confidence, asking questions, receiving feedback, willingness to learn, and the acceptance of making mistakes. These skills are crucial for success in both your career and personal life. By focusing on team goals, being patient, and having a positive attitude, interns can develop a strong work ethic.

After my internship, I was offered a full-time role as a Resource Manager for multiple Sodexo accounts across the Mid-Atlantic region. This position led me to other opportunities within Sodexo and helped me land my current role, as a General Manager at East Orange School District in New Jersey where I oversee 22 schools and 128 employees.

 

Kylee Zawacki, Marketing Specialist (Talent Acquisition, Remote)

My Sodexo journey started in June 2022 as a marketing intern. The most valuable experience I had as an intern was learning how to build and grow my own role. Being a college student at the time, I did not know my full potential until my managers let me take on some very large responsibilities. It was one of the first experiences where I saw that my peers, colleagues, and managers really trusted my expertise. Thanks to Sodexo, I was able to gain real world experience, as a full-time intern and college student.

I was offered a full-time role after my internship as a Community Manager. My role was creating, implementing, and managing client communications in addition to executing client events. This role led me to where I am currently, as a Marketing Specialist for Talent Acquisition where I oversee the recruitment marketing needs for multiple business segments within Sodexo.

 

Jackson Aldous, Director of Facilities Operations (Corban University, Oregon)

In the summer of 2019, I participated in a Sodexo facilities management internship. My internship helped me improve my time management, communication, and leadership skills. I was able to gain hands-on experience with a variety of different trades and see what the day-to-day is like at a Sodexo account. On top of the practical work experience, I was able to travel and experience a new city while making lasting connections that have helped me elevate my career.

Working full-time for Sodexo after my internship allowed me to advance my career in new cities. This ultimately led me to my current position as a Director of Facilities Operations at Corban University in Oregon. At my account, I manage all facilities and project management operations including maintenance, grounds, and custodial services.

 

The stories of former interns who are now full-time employees demonstrate the valuable pathway Sodexo Strategic Internship Program provides for interns. Through hands-on experience and mentorship, interns develop essential skills like communication, teamwork, and leadership. The program’s emphasis on empowerment and trust enables interns to explore their potential and take on significant responsibilities, fostering a culture of growth and advancement. To learn more about our early career programs visit Student Opportunities (sodexo.com).

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