Internship Spotlight – Marvin Santos, Frito-Lay

Marvin Santos is a Management Information Systems major set to graduate in May 2020.  This past summer he interned for Frito-Lay as a Future Sales Leader Intern in Tucson, Arizona. 

How did you get this internship?

Frito-Lay had a table at the Eller Career Fair, where I talked to one of the District Managers and got an interview.

What was a typical day like?

A typical day was visiting customers/accounts and checking to ensure that Route procedures were being properly followed, as well as attending meetings with District Managers and helping them lead topics at meetings.

What was your favorite part of the experience?

Trying the different chips directly from the manufacturing line at the Casa Grande production plant was life changing.

If you worked on a big project, please describe it below:

I worked to help the Tucson Zone develop a plan to reduce Unsaleable/Staleing products within the Metro Tucson area. I implemented a new Schematic to be used at Circle K convenience stores within the Tucson region, which helped to push new products as well as prevent staling core Frito-Lay lines. Also, I created a slide template for the management team to present to their Frontline teams at district meetings that promoted the need to reduce unsaleables. I presented these solutions to the Southwest Regional Office in Santa Ana, CA and to the national Frito-Lay headquarters in Dallas, TX.

What did you find most challenging about your internship?

Frito-Lay had me on a very freeform schedule where I set my own hours so it was a challenge to see what needed to be done and to get those things done timely.

What advice do you have for other students looking for a similar internship?

Definitely head to the Eller Career Fair in both semesters, but also don’t be afraid to let your personality show not only during your interview but through the course of the internship as well.

How did Eller prepare you for your internship?

Eller really taught me how to have professional-style conversations as well as how to sell your ideas onto other people who may be resistant to what you want to do. Also, Eller taught me to be confident in my own ideas.

Did your internship employer provide housing or transportation assistance? 

Housing – my employer provided financial assistance for housing and/or moving

Transportation – My employer provided transportation or financially supplemented my transportation during the internship