The University of Idaho Argonaut

I am somewhat disappointed in the tone of the article entitled “Keep dangerous recruiters away,” which ran in Tuesday’s issue of The Argonaut.

A 154-year-old company’s reputation has been called into question — unfairly. As far as I can surmise, the only danger the reporter has drawn from is found on a gripe site with gross misrepresentations and inaccuracies from a questionnaire in a classroom. The writer asks more questions than she is able to provide answers for. Insinuating the school receives money to allow Southwestern to recruit is crossing the line — even guised as opinion.

Since when has being honest in recruiting been a negative? Southwestern Company is very straight-forward about our recruiting practices, which include information sessions, follow-up meetings, parent calls, parent visits and continued training throughout the school year. In fact, a parent coffee meeting is set up in the month of April for parents to meet our Sales Managers, other students and other parents to ask questions and have any concerns addressed.

We are also adamant about following campus guidelines related to recruiting and building relationships with the career services departments on campus. In fact, our Southwestern Director of Campus Relations, Ralph Brigham, is a veteran Career Services Director and the current President of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Southwestern has over 120,000 living alumni across the country. I venture to say that many successful people of Idaho who participate in the program and all other program alumni including governors, lawyers, doctors, educators, congressmen and women and entrepreneurs nationwide know exactly why Southwestern is allowed on the UI campus. A program rich with history that builds character in young people and helps them achieve their goals in life is a good thing.

While established as a publisher in 1855, Southwestern has offered opportunities to college students on a continuous basis since 1868. Simply put: students have the opportunity to run a business and offset their educational expenses. It is a challenging program and we do not promote it otherwise. The statement, “This program is not for everyone” originated with Southwestern and we stand by it. But for those students who want the experience of running their own business, gaining resume experience, life skills and personal growth with a time-tested program — this may be exactly what they are looking for. We inform those students looking for a guaranteed income that this may not be the right fit for them. Running a business is a risk - there is no income ceiling, but there is also no floor. Each student who participates knows exactly what to expect and have their own motivations for participation.

Southwestern recruits on more than 350 colleges and universities worldwide. Approximately 3,000 students participate in the program each summer. Many campuses, including University of Idaho, even offer college credit hours for the program. Currently, there are 15 other businesses in the Southwestern corporate family which were started by former student dealers. We start these businesses to offer students career options upon graduation. They also have the opportunity to stay with Southwestern and join our management team. In addition to our companies, which range from financial services and insurance to fundraising, publishing, consulting and more, we have two career counselors that assist placing students in positions in these companies and with outside companies who contract with us. Graduates interested in starting their own businesses also have that opportunity using Southwestern’s financial backing and more than150 years of business experience. Students with Southwestern experience are desirable commodities in the work force because they are proven, have exceptional work habits and real-life experiences.

In 2007, the average first year student earned over $8,700 in 12 weeks. This is in addition to college credit which University of Idaho students are eligible to receive. This is possible due to the extensive and professional training students receive which Sales and Marketing magazine has dubbed, “simply the best!”

Students who are looking to set themselves apart in an ever-competitive job market, and are looking for un-paralleled financial opportunities with the support and training of America’s oldest internship program for college students, should inquire for more information.

Phillip Matos is a corporate recruiter for The Southwestern Company and a UI alum.