Branden Harvey '26 Sales Intern

Branden Harvey '26 (BSBA Business Management) was a Sales Intern at ADP in Pleasanton, CA.

ADP didn’t provide support for housing or relocation, but the only real out-of-pocket expense I encountered was driving to certain client territories, which was very manageable. Compared to other companies that often require interns to relocate or train at their headquarters, ADP takes a different approach that offers more flexibility and helps cut down on additional costs.

What was the process for getting this internship, job, or summer experience? 

The process of landing this internship was definitely a long one for me. I applied to over 1,000 internships across the country, made it to the final round twice with two Fortune 500 companies, and eventually found my way to ADP. I applied through LinkedIn, which ultimately led to this opportunity—and I’m really glad I stuck with it.

The interview process for ADP was fairly straightforward and less intense than some of the others I experienced. It involved two rounds: an initial conversation with a recruiter and a final interview with the Vice President of Small Business Sales. The experience was professional but relaxed, and it gave me a great first impression of the company culture.

My biggest takeaway from the process: keep your head down and keep applying. Persistence truly pays off!

What was a typical day like?

A typical day during my internship with ADP was structured yet engaging. Each morning started with about two hours of one-on-one training or sales video modules. These covered everything from objection-handling scenarios to how to effectively use tools like Salesforce and other platforms we’d be working with.

From 10 AM to 12 PM, we focused on cold calling potential clients, which helped sharpen my communication skills and resilience. The afternoons, from 12 PM to around 5 PM, were usually spent out in the field—visiting local businesses, connecting with small business owners, and meeting with bank representatives to discuss referral partnerships. It was a great mix of learning, hands-on experience, and real-world application

What was your favorite part of the experience?

My favorite part of the internship was definitely being out in the field. I really enjoyed getting the chance to meet with small business owners and build relationships face-to-face. We also worked closely with bank representatives from places like Bank of America and Wells Fargo, which gave me great exposure to how referral partnerships work in the real world. Those in-person experiences made the job feel meaningful and helped me grow both professionally and personally.

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

I worked on a demo project that focused on identifying common pain points a small business client might face and showcasing how ADP’s products could address those challenges. I specifically highlighted how ADP Run 2.0, their main platform for small business clients, could streamline payroll, HR, and compliance tasks. It was a great experience that allowed me to dive deep into the product, understand client needs, and practice presenting solutions in a clear and compelling way.

What did you find most challenging?

The most challenging part of the internship was definitely cold calling. Entry-level sales relies heavily on this, and it was tough at first to put myself out there, especially when facing rejection. But I was told early on that the key is to just go for it—and that advice stuck with me. I pushed through the discomfort and ended up booking meetings with major accounts ranging from 50 to 300 employees. It taught me a lot about resilience, confidence, and the importance of persistence in sales.

What advice do you have for other students looking for a similar experience, or advice for future students to be successful?

For students looking to land a similar internship, my biggest piece of advice is to be persistent—relentlessly so. Don’t be afraid to message recruiters directly, follow up on LinkedIn, or reach out to people you know at the company for a referral. Use every resource available to you.

Be confident in your abilities and what you bring to the table, even if you feel like you're just starting out. I'm nobody special—I just applied myself, stayed consistent, and kept pushing forward. Eventually, it paid off. So stay hungry, stay driven, and don’t give up. The right opportunity will come if you keep showing up.