North American Early Careers Program: Two Interns Share Their Experience
What does it take to intern at the 3-Stripes? Set yourself up for success and read about Diamond and Saachi’s experience in the internship program.
Since joining the recruitment team earlier this year, I’ve realized that the North American Early Career internship experience is truly life changing. I manage hiring for our unique summer internship programs across the United States, and what sets this internship apart is its inclusivity and competitive edge.
We welcome talent from both university and retail backgrounds. When accepting applicants into the program, we believe in evaluating potential over any specific criteria, which means that diverse backgrounds and experiences are valued equally. This approach fosters a dynamic learning environment where various perspectives and skills come together for an enriching experience for everyone involved.
Let’s hear from two intern alums who came from two different backgrounds
I’d love to introduce two former interns who have experienced the program firsthand. First, we’ve got Diamond, who had a retail background, coming into the program and landed an internship in sports marketing. Then we have Saachi, who came fresh from university and recently interned on the product design team this past summer.
Diamond Coulter is now an assistant product manager at adidas for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). She shares her experience with the program.
Originally, I’m from South Carolina. Growing up, I was passionate about sports and enjoyed running on my high school track team. After graduation, I moved to Anderson, South Carolina, to attend a Leadership College for two years, which is also when I began my retail career. During that time, I worked in various retail jobs and collected a wide array of experiences.
I graduated college in 2019 and continued working in retail; eventually, I joined the adidas employee store in Greenville, South Carolina. There, I learned about the adidas Unlimited Internship program from my store managers during our weekly huddles. This program serves as a corporate pathway for adidas retail staff, providing an opportunity to gain valuable experience in a corporate setting. It was a fantastic option for internal employees like me, especially since I didn’t follow the traditional university route into the adidas internship. Despite being nervous about the competitive nature of the internship, I decided to apply and was thrilled to be selected for a role in sports marketing that gave me hands-on experience in the world of soccer.
Taking on this new role was both nerve-wracking and exciting. The biggest highlight of my internship was working every day for a company that I truly love. The people I met were amazing and helped me uncover potential I hadn’t recognized in myself. My day-to-day consisted of attending meetings with my mangers and brand partners to help execute a variety of events coming up for that year. Primarily, I had a hand in working on the Women’s World Cup and celebrating our athletes from the brand who would be representing Team USA. Throughout my internship I also gained valuable experience and developed a deep respect for soccer.
After the internship ended in August, I returned to the store but soon applied for a corporate position. Thanks to my hard work, interviews, and the support of those who believed in me, I was offered a full-time role as an assistant product manager for the NCAA team. I moved back to Portland last November and have been in the role for almost a year. My journey with adidas has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited for future opportunities with the 3-Stripes.
Saachi Poddar interned in the product design team for U.S. sports and is a senior at the University of Oregon. Here’s her experience:
Currently, I’m a rising senior in the Product Design program at the University of Oregon with a Sports Business minor. My passion for footwear and fashion started when I was a kid. Back then, I would sketch designs in all my notebooks.
I first discovered the adidas internship during my first year of university when I toured the adidas Portland headquarters with the Warsaw Sports Business Club. Inspired to find opportunities with adidas, I attended every job fair, recruiting event, and networking opportunity with the Early Careers Talent Acquisition team and adidas design professionals.
Receiving my offer to intern with the U.S. sports team felt like a culmination of all my hard work over the past three years. It was incredible to see the recruitment team’s genuine commitment to building relationships with potential interns.
The highlight of my internship was the creative freedom granted to me by Charlie Kirihara and the U.S. Sports team. Being involved in the development of soccer cleats and uniform samples was surreal. I had the chance to glue and assemble parts alongside the Product Creation team, which made me feel deeply connected to the product and the process. Witnessing my product line come to life after twelve weeks was also an unforgettable experience.
And now for some tips on how to secure your internship with us!
Here are our top tips for applying for an internship in product marketing, supply chain, design, wholesale, or another department that catches your interest. Here’s what will set you up for success:
- Passion for adidas: Genuine enthusiasm for our brand and mission.
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to contribute to long-term goals and understand company priorities.
- People-Centric Approach: Focused on relationship cultivation and being a team player.
- Adaptability: Flexibility in a fast-paced setting.