Uppers
- the kind of company where young people's voices are heard and encouraged
- projects are somewhat open-ended, you can take an assignment and run with it if you have the initiative
- lots of opportunities to get to know the other interns, you never feel alone
Downers
- uncertainty for the first few weeks about whether I would be able to stay on full-time
- no help with housing
Advice to Potential Interns
This is a great experience for someone who is willing to think outside of the box, speak up in meetings, have a strong point of view, and analyze/create something truly useful for the team. If do all of those things, I guarantee there will be a ton of people rooting for you to succeed within the company. If you are the kind of person who just takes and completes assignments, you won't succeed. You need to be willing to take it to the next level and think one step ahead.
Sample Interview Questions
- "Give us an example of a new account adidas NEO could partner with that would help grow our business and better reach our target consumer."
- "What do you want to get out of this internship?"
Advice to Management
The only piece of advice I would give is to have a few more LTD or entry-level openings available to high-performing, graduated interns.
Uppers
The best aspect of the internship was the amount of responsibility I was given from Day 1. Compared to other companies with which I have interned, adidas values the talent their interns have to offer.
Downers
There isn't anything that comes to mind!
Advice to Potential Interns
If you embody the brand values--authentic, innovative, inspirational, passionate, committed and honest--and love sports, this is a great organization with which to intern.
Sample Interview Questions
When have you had to turn a "no" into a "yes"? What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in the last year and how did you overcome it?
Uppers
Learning the ways of a very large corporate business outside of the classroom, and seeing your marketing creations come to life.
Downers
My manager was gone 80% of the time.
Advice to Potential Interns
Sample Interview Questions
Uppers
The group of people I work with. Along with the environment where I can show my passion for sport.
Downers
I believe the pay could be a little higher. I also believe my role could be a little more structured.
Advice to Potential Interns
Know that this is the world's largest sport brand and it is very competitive to get one of these positions. Do not take the position lightly because you will learn a lot in this company.
Sample Interview Questions
Advice to Management
Have more structure in the internship role. Also with the amount of work we complete we should be paid a little more hourly. Overall very good incentives and awesome work related activities.
Uppers
the friendships/connections I made
Downers
no guidance in looking for a full time position
Advice to Potential Interns
Network yourself to as many people as you can
Sample Interview Questions
Uppers
I really enjoyed the group I worked with, and meeting the other interns. Forming those relationships will last a lifetime!
Downers
Finding housing was awful, as adidas gave no direction on where to look nor how to go about finding a place to live.
Advice to Potential Interns
It's a fantastic place to learn and experience new things that will carry over into whatever you pursue into the future. I wouldn't change this opportunity for anything else.
Sample Interview Questions
Advice to Management
Interns get paid very little for the amount of work put in. The level of insight and quality of intern adidas obtains is well above the pay compensation. I very well could have gotten a job working at a fast food place for more pay per hour, which is a bit disappointing.
Uppers
my manager
the people at adidas
the other interns- amazing people
Downers
my partner was very difficult to work with. we both had different priorities
Advice to Potential Interns
if you "work hard, play hard" then this is the place for you
Sample Interview Questions
what's in your closet
would you move here if we didn't pay you
what are past marketing experiences that prepare you for this internship
what is your favorite adidas product
where do you see opportunity for adidas
Advice to Management
more structure when given tasks
more company structure- someone got drunk at lunch and didn't come back to work and everyone acted like it was normal..
Uppers
The people that I met and the real world experiences that I gained.
Downers
The lack of planning before my arrival. I'm in a team that doesn't really know what to do with my skills and it took nearly two weeks to receive my first project.
Advice to Potential Interns
Apply because you want to work for adidas, not because you want an internship. adidas is held together by it's employees, if you don't support adidas then this isn't the place for you.
Sample Interview Questions
What is the one task that you can get lost in and not realize how long you've been working?
Why do you want to work for adidas?
How has adidas been a part of your life?
Advice to Management
Plan more. I'm currently sitting in my managers office because my team ran out of office space. It makes it very hard to work efficiently. Also, provide a more competitive wage. $14/hr is pretty hard to live off of while paying rent in Portland.
Uppers
The people were by far what made this internship. My team was really open to answering questions and making sure I was understanding everything/developing skills along the way. We had a really fun group of interns as well which made it even better outside of work.
Downers
My day-to-day activities were pretty straight forward, so I wasnt as engaged with my work as I would have liked. I really enjoyed learning about the industry, but I think I would need a role with more creativity involved in the future.
Advice to Potential Interns
You wont find a place with better people who make it a great place to work and a great time outside of work as well.
Sample Interview Questions
What skills do you have, relevant to this role, that set you apart from other candidates?
From your past experience, tell me of a time when you had to communicate a business problem/solution to a coworker/client?
How would you explain Finance to an 8 year old?
If you could play one song on repeat in the office, what would it be?
Advice to Management
Compensation could be higher given how expensive housing can be. It would also be nice to have housing organized for interns since many of us are coming from outside of Portland with little knowledge of the area, and likely dont have cars.
Uppers
Work life balance, a ton of fun opportunities to watch/play sports and be involved
Downers
Personal advancement opportunities as well as the amount of down time. Lack of responsibility given to interns
Advice to Potential Interns
It is a wonderful thing to do during the summer, beyond that is a up to each person individually
Sample Interview Questions
How do sports impact your life? Have you ever been put in a situation with someone that is hard to work with?
Advice to Management
Compensation is fine, but finding a job is a solely independent thing with little support