INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW
GOAL:
 To provide 10 – 12 weeks of “real world” experience for students interested in industrial
distribution. Students should be integrated into a team working with Account Managers,
Customer Service, Engineering, Purchasing, Service & Repair, and Warehouse. In
addition, each intern is to be assigned a mentor for the 10 - 12 week training to offer
guidance on project tasks and responsibilities.
 To assess the intern’s potential qualifications for entering the Grow Our Own program
upon graduation.
SUGGESTED EXPERIENCES:
Week 1
Internship Overview
 Performance Expectations
 Review of 10-12 week schedule
 Expense Guidelines & Reports
 Intern Project Guidelines (if specific project to be assigned while at location)
 Overview of Expectations for Intern Final Presentation
 Assignment of First Week Project
 Intro to iEmployee
Familiarity with SS & Company Officers
 Tour of Facility and Introductions
 SBU Structure
 Intranet Resources
 Orientation DVD
 Sales Ride Alongs
Objective: The intern experience should introduce the Intern to the culture of SS and help them
understand the organizational structure of both the individual District and SBU. In addition, the
Intern should have a basic understanding of the flywheel, guiding principles, and mission of
SunSource. This can be done through exposure to different markets within business unit and
shadowing current outside/inside sales assoc.
Week 2-5
Exposure to Functional Elements of SunSource
 Warehouse
Learn shipping and receiving procedures

Service and Repair

Purchasing
Understand service and fabrication layout
Understand purchasing strategies
Objective: Exposure to the various departmental functions should provide the Intern with a
foundational knowledge of how the departments support the role of the AM in the selling process.
Time spent with customer service will provide the Intern with working knowledge of how an order
flows start to finish, as well as assist in building the relationship between the Intern and their
future support. In addition the Intern should be able to present the SS Advantage and Value Add
presentations for their business unit, as well as demonstrate outbound telemarketing skills.
INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW
Week 6- Completion
Customer Service
 Gain technical knowledge, quoting, processing, and following up on orders, expediting,
processing credits/debits
 Understand the flow of an order – start to finish
 Practice outbound calling (Operation Offense and New Business Development)
Sales Ride Alongs
 Understand how SS approaches new and existing customers
 Identify the elements of a “day in the life of outside sales”
 Observe different AM styles
Objective: Intern should have exposure to basic selling skills, approaching customers, and
business etiquette. Through exposure to inside and outside sales the Intern should form a
foundational knowledge of SunSource’s products and technologies.
MENTOR
Each intern is to be assigned a mentor who will provide oversight for the 10 week training
schedule and assure completion of all required training and work experiences. The mentor will
also assure for proper assimilation into the SunSource culture.
NOTE
At about half way through the internship the DM and CSM will assess the intern’s
capabilities for a future Account Manager position and entry into the GO2 program.
If it appears that the intern should be reviewed as a candidate for the GO2 program
then the following will happen:
 Conduct interviews with appropriate managers
 Conduct Roundtable (to include the RVP)
If there is mutual interest between the intern and SunSource for the GO2 program,
the RVP will make a recommendation to the COO and CEO as to whether the intern
should be offered a scholarship for their final semesters (HR has the scholarship
policy for review.)
**During the internship, any exposure to product and/or additional training (technical, sales,
and/or interpersonal skills) can be added. Due to the temporary nature of this
employment relationship, before exposure to proprietary information a member of
management should be consulted.