Please introduce yourself and tell us about your background
My name is Edrianne Garcia and I recently graduated from De La Salle University with a Bachelor's degree in Applied Corporate Management. My course focused on humanistic and corporate management practices. I'm required to complete 3 internships to gain hands-on experience and apply my classroom learnings. I've done internships at a marketing firm called Dreamlist Digital, Kimberly-Clark Professional, and most recently a 5-month internship at Nestlé Philippines as a brand marketing intern.
What did you consider before taking the internship program at Nestlé?
I was interested in Nestlé because it's a huge global brand I grew up with that offers good learning opportunities. I wanted to challenge myself and learn from professionals in a fast-paced corporate setting. Salary wasn't a top priority - I cared more about gaining experience. I'd heard positive feedback from classmates about the work environment and training. Overall, I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and immerse myself in Nestlé's high-demand environment.
How did you find out about their job openings?
I saw a general internship listing on LinkedIn that led me to Nestlé's internship application website. I uploaded my resume and went through their assessments over 2 months before HR called me for a preliminary interview. They suggested brand marketing as a good fit, so I interviewed directly with the brand marketing manager afterwards and received an offer letter soon after.
What is the application process for the internship program at Nestlé PH?
The application involved
1) Uploading my resume and completing online assessments over 2 months,
2) An HR screening interview asking about my background,
3) A second interview with the hiring manager to discuss my skills and experience,
4) Receiving a job offer shortly after. The second interview was the most difficult since I lacked direct brand marketing knowledge but prepared by researching common questions.
What was your onboarding experience like in the first few days as an intern at Nestlé PH?
I went into the office on my very first day for onboarding. My manager oriented me about the Promil infant formula brand I'd be working on including its history, brand guidelines, consumers, and more. It took 2-3 days to fully grasp everything since there was a wealth of new information upfront. It actually took me a full month to adjust into my specific role, processes, and pace of work. Starting out was challenging but my manager guided me well.
How does the training and development programs offered at Nestlé to their interns?
Nestlé provides a work laptop pre-loaded with brand information, emails, and access to online marketing skills courses. We also did sustainability initiatives like tree planting. The constant feedback from my manager allowed me to improve continuously. Nestlé focuses on upskilling employees through on-the-job training, digital resources, and mentorship.
How stressful is your job as an intern at Nestlé PH? Do you have a good work-life balance?
The brand marketing role was very fast-paced with tight campaign deadlines that impacted other teams. I learned to be extremely detail-oriented to meet brand guidelines. However, my department promoted a healthy work-life balance. They respected personal time and I could take sick leaves when needed. I never felt pressured to work after official hours.
Is Nestlé PH offering a flexible working arrangement for the interns?
Nestlé offered a flexible hybrid working arrangement. I went to the office 3 days a week and worked from home 2 days a week.
What are some of the best benefits offered to interns at Nestlé PH?
The intern salary was reasonable and sufficient for living costs. Some great benefits were the office canteen with subsidized home-cooked meals, the on-site Nestlé store with discounted groceries, and social events to meet other departments and interns. I also made close friends with my teammates through dinners and hangouts after work.
What have been some of the coolest things about interning at Nestlé?
The highlight was collaborating with influencers on social media campaigns. It was fun to give feedback and see my suggestions implemented. I felt I contributed to bringing ideas to life. The frequent brainstorming sessions allowed me to share my perspectives too. The good thing is, my opinions were valued by teammates and they are all very supportive.
Do you have any final pieces of advice or things you'd tell your student self?
Have confidence to speak up and share your thoughts early on - do not doubt yourself too much. Nestlé treats interns as equal team members so do not hesitate to give suggestions. Ask lots of questions to understand your role deeply. Finally, take risks and push outside your comfort zone - that's how you'll learn and grow tremendously as a professional and a person.