Briar Rodgers is one of the lucky ones. She knows what she’s doing after graduation.
Since June 2010, the fifth-year University of Toronto employment relations student has worked as a Management Trainee Intern at a downtown Toronto Enterprise Rent-A-Car location.
With a focus on developing customer service, marketing, financial and logistics skills, Rodgers and about 2,000 other students in the internship program learn what it takes to run a successful business.
“The most valuable career benefit of doing an internship with Enterprise is the autonomy they give you to make your own decisions while on the job.” —Briar Rodgers, Management Trainee Intern, Enterprise
Rodgers says she plans to remain with Enterprise after graduation to become a full-time Management Trainee and, eventually, a Branch Manager. Considering she’s also doing double duty as a Branch Corporate Account Manager, she’s well on her way!
Update (April 2, 2012): Briar was promoted to Assistant Manager in the summer of 2011!
Update II (October 23, 2013): Briar is now the Branch Rental Manager at the largest Enterprise operation in Canada!
Between attending classes and pulling shifts at her branch, she took some time to tell us about her experience as an intern at Enterprise.
Q.Why did you choose to go into the internship program at Enterprise?
A. I was looking for an internship opportunity where I could experience several different areas of business. I am still at a point where I don’t want to restrict myself to one discipline of business (e.g., HR). An internship at Enterprise offered me experience in sales, marketing, HR, and accounting.
Q.What has your experience in the internship program been like so far?
A. What I love about my job at Enterprise is that I do all kinds of work! Every day is different, and that’s what keeps things interesting. I get to work in a team environment at a branch in downtown Toronto.
Enterprise is very customer service oriented, so I am constantly dealing with customers face to face as well as over the phone. I am also the Branch Corporate Account Manager, so I liaise between our branch’s corporate accounts and our admin office. I get to go on marketing calls to help grow our business and learn about different referral sources.
Q.What kind of training, mentoring and work experience have you received?
A. The work experience is very customer service and sales oriented. The goal is to eventually learn to run your own branch!
There are many forms of training available at Enterprise. Most of it is on-the-job training that occurs in the branch, but I also get to go up to our admin office for more formal training sessions on topics such as sales techniques, risk management, and marketing.
Q.What has your experience in the internship program been like so far?
A. The best part of my experience is definitely my coworkers! Enterprise has a great corporate culture and they make it fun to come to work everyday.
The most challenging part is learning to manage all of the tasks that have to be completed throughout the day with the constant flow of customers coming in and out of our door.
Q.How has doing an internship with Enterprise impacted your career?
A. Enterprise is a great spot to launch any career. I think the most valuable career benefit of doing an internship with Enterprise is the autonomy they give you to make your own decisions while on the job. It has helped me to establish confidence in my abilities and I have gained a true understanding for the business. I know the reason behind every decision I make and I understand the potential impact it will have on the business. Enterprise will also allow you to take control of your own career. You can learn as much as you want to about the business. It’s all up to you!
Q.What advice do you have for your fellow students?
A. Work hard and gain work experience where ever you can!
Visit Enterprise’s company profile on TalentEgg to learn more about the Management Internship Program and other career opportunities with Enterprise.