JAKEICHESNEY
Student Testimonials
Below are students that spent their summers together in 2024 sharing what Triple Threat’s summer program has meant to them
Rosemary Chesney
Berry College / class of 2025 / Communications / 205-873-2329
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2021 - $18,100
2022 - $23,500*
2023 - $37,700*
2024 - $64,200*
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Selling books this past summer was the single most challenging and impactful experience of my life. It taught me true humility and confidence. I learned how to genuinely surrender to the Lord and ground my identity in him rather than my success, image, or skills. I learned that there are two kinds of people in the world “those that make an excuse and those that find a way.” The bookfield is a place to choose what kind of person you want to be because every choice you make shapes the character that will last a lifetime. Looking back on my summer, I am so incredibly thankful that I chose to act in courage rather than fear by joining the Southwestern program because the person I am today is truly not the person I was 4 months ago.
Esther Schumann
New Saint Andrews / class of 2025 / Liberal Arts / 208-661-0804
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2022 - $22,100
2023 - $36,700*
2024 - $20,500
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
One of the biggest advantages of Southwestern is how much it pushed and grew me. Before this past summer I felt stationary. The summer challenged me to work hard and built my character and life skills. I came out of the summer with so much momentum for the school year and for life. The comparably small investment of my summer with Southwestern has already had such a huge return. I am so grateful for my experience.
Anna Kolarsky
Entrepreneurship / 509-993-5329
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2021 - $29,700
2022 - $65,500*
2023 - $89,300*
2024 - $84,900*
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
I learned that there is never a reason to worry because God gives us everything we need exactly when we need it. This summer helped me to trust God in every aspect of life. It doesn’t make sense to worry cause God’s got my back, which is like an army of the best MMA fighters standing behind me at all times!! Nothing stops the book girl!
George Goggans
Auburn University / class of 2025 / Finance & Pre-Law / 256-485-5874
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2023- $22,800
2024- $30,900
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Southwestern Advantage gave me the opportunity to unplug from all the noise and distractions everyday college students struggle with. In return, the internship presents the chance to develop skills that really matter. It’s not easy, but it is definitely for winners who are willing to work hard and bet on themselves. The three most important, tangible benefits I see are; 1) Financial reward 2) The ability to maintain a healthy daily schedule 3) Confidence. Southwestern offers so much more, but these are just a few that I value most. I couldn’t be more grateful God gave me Southwestern and I’ll be back for year #2 soon!
Matthew Chesney
Wheaton College / class of 2023 / Bus-Econ / 312-550-5583
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2019 - $12,200
2020 - $56,000*
2021 - $88,000*
2022 - $98,000*
2023 - $71,400*
2024 - $77,100*
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
I have developed close friendships with an amazing network of like-minded, hard-working people. Southwestern has taught me how to have a great attitude no matter the results, and how to push through mental walls. Selling books is hard, but it is so much fun. My first summer selling books was the best summer of my life...Then my second summer selling books was even better than the first! I learned how to lead others and help them have the same experience that I had my first summer.
Spencer Christensen
Gonzaga University / class of 2024 / Business Finance and LPP / 509-828-9700
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2022 - $18,000
2023 - $28,000
2024 - $37,500*
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
There is no program that has helped me grow in the skills and character I need to be successful as much as Southwestern has. I have entrepreneurial dreams for the future and I was never sure how to take steps in the right direction and get good practice until I discovered this amazing opportunity. Obviously, you have the opportunity to grow in many valuable business skills, like sales, marketing, communication, leadership, etc., but my biggest takeaway is my personal character growth. By pushing outside my comfort zone, I not only grew more in my faith in the Lord, but also in patience, humility, discipline, servitude, and love. If you want to grow as a person, Southwestern is right for you.
Hollist Daniels
Olivet Nazarene University / class of 2024 / 815-386-7473
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2023 - $8,100
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
My summer at Southwestern proved to be very beneficial to me. It showed me the importance of schedule and how to truly manage your time. Which is super beneficial while being a student athlete. Overall, I’ve learned a lot from my summer with Southwestern that I will continue to carry on throughout the school year.”
McKenna Goss
Savannah College of Art & Design / class of 2027 / Interior Design / 331-725-4250
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2023 - $16,500
2024 - $15,200*
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The biggest advantage I gained this summer was peace of mind. I knew at the start of each day that the only two things I could really control were my effort and my attitude. No matter how many books I sold that day or how people treated me, as long as I worked consistently and was a light in people's day, I was content. In the past I've been a control freak, so the mental shift of letting go and trusting the process improved the way I feel about everyday life. Another big perk of the program is the outstanding friends I've met. I finally have a community of friends who are as crazy as I am about self-improvement, travel, business, and who have big goals like I do. It's so refreshing to see them at all these cool self-improvement conferences we travel to throughout the school year. Overall, this summer pushed me outside my comfort zone and inspired more growth in 10 weeks than I've seen in years. I'm proud to have completed such a competitive and challenging internship and look forward to another year of growth!
Chase Clifford
Kennesaw State / class of 2022 / Marketing / 404-642-8837
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2022 - $12,200
2023 - $28,000*
2024 - $19,800*
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Before my summer with Southwestern, I knew I wanted to become a successful person, but nothing I was doing was really going to get me there. The highest paid people are strong at adapting to challenges, brilliant communicators, and ridiculously hard working. Just one summer with the program forced me to grow myself in all of those aspects plus more.
Jonathon Hancock
Commercial Real Estate / 334-451-4063
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2023 - $6,400
2024 - $3,000
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
I grew more mature and gained more experience in three months than five years of doing something else. SWA taught me that doing the hard thing makes your decisions later in life so much easier. I grew in Christ, endurance, and perseverance.
TJ Roeder
Emory University / class of 2024 / Business / 619-518-7317
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2022 - $7,800
2023 - $15,000*
2024 - $2,500
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
One of the biggest advantages of working over the summer with Southwestern is the incredible self confidence and self sufficiency that I attained. Problem-solving and overcoming challenges became second nature, so I naturally developed an extremely positive mindset that helped me persevere consistently. I also learned how to communicate with other people of all different backgrounds and cultures. Over the summer, I talked with people from every socio-economic and cultural background, and I had so many great experiences that changed my outlook on life!
Julianna Ramirez
Georgia State University / Risk Management & Insurance / 470-685-2048
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2023 - $7,000
2024 - $8,700
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Before the summer I felt like I wasn’t doing anything to grow personally or professionally, therefore I took a chance on myself and accepted the challenge. The summer definitely got me outside my comfort zone and I grew in many aspects even in ways I wasn’t expecting.
This was my first time away from my family for a long period. I proved to myself that I am capable of being responsible and taking care of myself without my family there. I also learned and practiced to believe in myself and have confidence. I got to prove to myself that I can do hard things and that there is always a solution to every problem. I also learned the importance of having a positive mindset and outlook and to always expect the best. I grew closer to God and learned to turn to him in moments of discomfort, loneliness, frustration, etc., and to trust him because, in the end, he is the one in control. Through this experience, I gained a lot of perspective and learned to value and appreciate my family and everything I have even more than I already did.
Overall I’m really thankful for the Southwestern experience, the skills and character that I gained, and for the amazing friendships I created through this experience.
Sergio Garcia
MS State class of 2023 / Business Admin & Finance / 662-255-6156
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2022 - $13,400
2023 - $12,000
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The biggest lessons for me this summer were learning that I can always push myself to give my best attitude to the people around me even when I feel tired or I just want to be at home having time for myself. I know that I can apply this with my family, friends, and people close to me. Second, I learned the value of my word and commitments. This means that whenever I say that I will do something, I have to do it even when I do not want to or things get complicated along the way. Always do what you say you are going to do. And last, thanks to putting in a lot of effort this summer, I do not have to work during the school year.
Colby Passman
Ole Miss / class of 2023 / IMC / 601-443-1488
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2020 - $8,300
2021 - $21,300*
2022 - $32,500*
2023 - $31,500*
2024 - $45,400*
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Knowing that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. Problem solving animal. Emotionally consistent positive attitude.
Luis Duran
Georgia State University / class of 2026 / Computer Information Systems / 470-687-3983
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2023 - $6,000
2024 - $8,400*
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The biggest advantage I learned from being and participating in a summer of Southwestern Advantage is that in life you can either do two things : Be complacent and give up when things get hard, or you can do what you can, with what you have, where you are… it’s a choice, and it’s up to you in picking what you want to do. To me, with just the experience and growth I was able to gain from this, it has been invaluable. What I have gained from this is the confidence, the ability to communicate, and lastly the network of friends I made that I know will last a lifetime.
Tarpley Herlihy
University of Georgia / class of 2024 / Finance and Marketing / 404-984-3855
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2023 - $18,900
2024 - $34,500
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
I am thankful that I decided to sell books for a few reasons. Since both of my parents sold books, I grew up hearing about Southwestern my whole life but never thought it would be something I would pursue. I am so thankful, however, that I decided to spend my summer with Southwestern because it has made such an impact on my life. This last summer, I learned the true meaning of perseverance and gained so much confidence in myself and my abilities. Not only did I grow in technical skills and emotional intelligence, I grew immensely in my faith. I learned to rely on God in every moment of each day and trust the details to him. I don't think I could have chosen any other internship that would have allowed me to grow the way I did last summer. Despite all the challenges that I faced during the summer, I am grateful for each one because each challenge was just an opportunity for growth and each one pushed me to become a better version of myself
Chandler Grooms
University of Georgia / class of 2027 / Accounting / 912-601-4239
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2024 - $13,600
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
My biggest skill that I’ve been able to take away is communication skills.
Emmy O´Donnell
Entrepreneurship / 331-703-8700
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2024 - $10,900
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
There are so many advantages for me for having completed a summer with southwestern, but I'll focus on just a few. Mainly, this summer helped me to develop a true, deep rooted confidence in myself and what I truly believe I am capable of. Before this summer, I had a ton of dreams and ideas for my future and no real plan or belief in myself that I could get there. this summer tested me and pushed me so far outside of my comfort zone, and through every challenge i faced i also had an opportunity in front of me to choose to overcome. and that, repeated again and again and again, all summer long, proved to me that i am capable of whatever it is that i set my mind to.
Secondly, this summer offered a lot of perspective. These last four months I learned that absolutely everything in life is a choice, and your mind can make a hell out of heaven or a heaven out of hell. the perspective that you choose to have on your circumstances will dictate your life. it’s not about what’s happening to you, but how you choose to look at it.
Lastly, something that’s really cool about this job is that all summer long, you get to just focus on and practice being the kind of person you want to be. I got to grow in my faith, in my patience, in my courage, in my consistency and in my discipline. I got to build the habit of loving exactly where I'm at, instead of always waiting for the day to be over, or the weekend to come, or that trip next month. Overall, I am so incredibly grateful for my experience with southwestern. The friendships I've made and the skills and character I've gained are something that will last a lifetime, and I can't think of a better way I could have spent my summer.
Demetris Fuller
SCAD / class of 2029 / Graphic Design / 803-261-1905
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2024 - $3,200
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The biggest advantages Southwestern has blessed me with has been the ability to believe in myself and understanding sometimes you have to be selfish and put yourself first so you can grow and take care of the people you love. I'm also grateful for the life long support and relationships you gain because everybody is there to help each other out and they truly understand because they've been through it. I also gained the ability to be a better leader and given a blueprint to use towards my dreams.
CJ Hayden
Florida State / class of 2026 / Entrepreneurship / 770-757-0501
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2024 - $4,800
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The most important thing that I have learned through Southwestern has been how to hold myself accountable and practice true integrity.
This has helped me in every other aspect of my life, whether that is no longer procrastinating on my homework or being proactive in looking for a job during the school year. Southwestern has helped me become the best version of myself and I would recommend everyone to try it if you are willing to put in the work.
Another advantage in my life that has come from Southwestern has been the amazing group like minded people that I get to call my friends. I became unbelievably close with my org this summer and I know that they are out there cruising it in life and that inspires me to go out and do the same. The friendships that I have made I know are going to last a lifetime and I am so lucky that I get to call myself a bookman.
Ll’Nia Hermon
Northrumbria / Class of 2028 / Architecture / 678-523-5030
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2024 - $2,500
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
One of the biggest advantages from doing Southwestern has been developing a mindset of success, I now have a schedule that I use most, if not all week. I’ve gotten the momentum from walking during the summer to continue even further and being active throughout my weeks.
It’s been a ride and a bit of a struggle to keep my mind in the right place, so another advantage would be growing in my faith and being able to be positive in a negative environment. I get to put my experience and summer with SW in my portfolio along with my resume and I’ve gotten a few job offers because of that experience!
Luke Simon
James Madison / class of 2027 / International Business / 571-599-1814
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2024 - $12,900
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The opportunity to step out of my comfort zone for 12 hours a day had tremendous benefits for my confidence, as well as teaching me invaluable life and sales skills.
David Siaw
LSU / class of 2026 / Mechanical Engineering / 256-224-2914
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2020 - $12,000
2021 - $16,500
2022 - $11,000
2023 - $23,600*
2024 - $37,400*
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Growth mindset! And building belief!
Sam Strickler
Eastern Washington / class of 2027 / Business / 928-830-1611
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2024 - $19,600
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The biggest advantage for me has been the experience doing something hard and spending such a concentrated amount of time only doing one thing.
Doing something difficult has given me confidence in being able to do other things and also taught me more about what it means to be consistent and to gauge decisions based on long term metrics and not short term ones. Spending 3 months pretty much only doing one thing has taught me a lot about how to become excellent at something.
Michael Borosak
Lee University / class of 2027 / Pastoral Studies / 470-475-0746
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2024 - $15,500
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Discipline has been further embedded within my life. Southwestern has taught me how to work hard and have no exceptions when it comes to the grind.
I also learned how to see the positive in every situation. I have become more conscious of my negativity and made an effort to reduce any complaints I may have.
My communication skills have improved as well, obviously. I find myself to be more intentional with my conversation and word-choice, making the most of every interaction.
Logan Nobles
Oklahoma State / class of 2025 / Business Management / 918-219-9332
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2023 - $10,500
2024 - $19,000
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Being a bookman has taught me many things. One thing it has done is give me perspective. You run into a lot of different people and see how fortunate you are compared to other people.
It has also helped build my confidence and has helped me talk to many people in different situations.
Ryan Zapatka
University of Georgia / class of 2027 / Political Science & Philosophy / 404-632-6272
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2024 - $6,100
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The three biggest takeaways are an improved focus, a proper schedule, and a consistent attitude throughout my life. In a world with so many distractions it’s very easy to get distracted from the task at hand so learning the ability to focus on one thing is truly beneficial. Having a proper schedule keeps you accountable with your life and your success. Without a solid schedule with certain beneficial habits your life falls apart. Lastly, life is so short and you have so much to be grateful that you should at least have a positive attitude while going through it. Especially when it gets tough.
Quinton King
Kennesaw State / class of 2026 / Professional Sales / 706-380-5155
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2023 - $2,500
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The biggest advantage that I gained from participating in the southwestern program is confidence. Not any kind of confidence, not fake confidence, not confidence based on something else, but confidence that came from doing a really hard thing that will be ingrained into my character for life.
While I didn't do the best my first summer compared to everyone else, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world. I can't wait for the future summers to come!
Anthony Allgood
Mississippi State / class of 2024 / Criminology / 404-804-0507
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2024 - $5,800
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
What I learned from the southwestern experience includes things such as the power of self confidence and image, the power of having willpower and being relentless in the face of self doubt, and realizing what an individual is capable of when they genuinely apply themselves. I learned to hold myself at a high standard, not only in professional but in personal life when interacting and treating others with kindness. It was a great experience that gave me the opportunity for huge growth in professional skills and personal character development.
Garrett Goggans
Calhoun Community College / class of 2026 / Music Technology / 256-393-6563
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2024 - $4,900
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
In participating in Southwestern, I learned to exercise a level of discipline that I never had before. And that's very helpful because in life we must become comfortable with exercising much discipline and consistency under pressure and various situations. Life is not easy, and SW prepares you to handle it like a champion.
I do not regret the skills and lessons that I learned during my time over the summer with SW.
Kody Smith
Madisonville Community College / class of 2026 / Business / 570-212-2256
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2022 - $18,000
2023 - $12,300
2024 - $15,800
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The biggest thing that I have gotten from this internship is learning more about myself. Learning the ability to not just to work hard but also how to work for myself and reaching my goals with the lifetime friends that I made along the way.
Guias McPherson
University of Tennessee / class of 2027 / Finance / 806-470-6969
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2024 - $21,800
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The biggest advantage for me was learning that I can control my attitude and emotions in every situation. For my life learning how to maintain a schedule and finding joy in places that aren’t the most joyful.
Carlos Guzman
Oklahoma State / class of 2026 / Business Administration / 405-922-1401
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2023 - $6,800
2024 - $15,000*
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Biggest one is having a positive attitude no matter what happens, life throws so much at ya, you gotta be ready. I would say the people who I get to work with in the same environment who have that same mindset is what I appreciated. Lastly, the opportunity to run my personal business over the summer.
Jose Ortiz
University of Arkansas / class of 2024 / Chemistry / 479-381-0720
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2022 - $10,000
2023 - $31,600
2024 - $27,900
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Outside of the gain of soft skills & character development, the biggest advantage is learning how to have a positive perspective and outlook on life.
After a few summers of experiencing so much positivity & discipline, it becomes obvious that most people don’t live life to their fullest. They don’t know how to take ownership, accept their situations, and choose to lead a life of complacency & negativity. This program has taught me that I can choose my effort, but more importantly my attitude, no matter the situation I am in.
Cooper Christensen
Gonzaga / class of 2027 / Psychology / 509-998-1732
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2024 - $10,500
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Doing door-to-door sales for an entire summer, working over 75 hours a week, profoundly shaped my faith, confidence, and ability to let go of worry. Every day was filled with challenges, from facing rejection to pushing through exhaustion, but it was in those moments that I felt God’s presence the most. As I knocked on door after door, not knowing what awaited on the other side, I clung to the truth of Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” This verse became my lifeline, reminding me that no matter how difficult the day was, God was holding me up, giving me the strength to persevere.
Each rejection became an opportunity to trust Him more, realizing that my identity wasn’t in my success or failure but in Christ. I learned that confidence isn’t about never failing but about standing firm in the belief that God’s purpose is greater than my fears. Over time, my worries faded as I embraced the truth of Matthew 6:25-34, where Jesus teaches us not to be anxious about our lives, for our Heavenly Father knows our needs. By stepping into the unknown each day, I realized how much I was trying to control, and I surrendered that to God, knowing He was in control of every interaction.
This experience built not just my resilience but my ability to live out my faith in real-time, trusting God with each step. If you’re seeking to grow deeper in your faith, to learn how to trust God more fully, and to develop a confidence rooted in Him, this is an incredible journey to take. It’s not easy, but it’s through these challenges that God reveals Himself and molds you into who He’s called you to be.
Dakota Bechtold
Entrepreneurship / 716-256-0370
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2024 - $7,400
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Having courage to take risks & being committed to not quitting no matter the circumstances & outcome of the situations over the summer.
Annie Brun
U of North Texas / Entrepreneurship / 210-885-1348
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2024 - $9,000
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
I’d say one of the biggest advantages I’ve taken from this experience is the people I got to meet. Finding an environment where everyone is optimistic, hardworking, and determined to reach their goals is super rare to come by. I was able to find friends to keep me on track for my goals and share the same values I have.
Cana Severson
Grove City College / class of 2026 / Political Science / 724-992-5192
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2024 - $2,500
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
It gave me the chance to do something truly hard and opened up opportunities for character growth and personal development.
Dakota Rickey
University of Tulsa / class of 2024 / Accounting & Business Mgmnt / 417-312-3340
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2021 - $12,000
2022 - $14,000
2023 - $30,000
2024 - $48,000
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Working with Southwestern the past four summers has been a life-changing experience. I went into my first summer seeking something hard that would make me proud of my experience. Over the past four summers I've built skills and discipline I would've never found in a classroom or accounting internship. I keep coming back for another summer because I genuinely believe there's nowhere else college students can earn, learn, and grow like they do with a summer with Southwestern.
Emily Lin
Ole Miss / class of 2025 / Finance / 601-819-0169
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2024 - $9,600
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The biggest advantage I have gained by making the choice to join the Southwestern family is truly gaining the character and skills to be successful in life. Being able to wake up every day and know today is a new day to grow during the summer is powerful.
I have worked 5 years running one of my parents' businesses but it cannot compare to 3 months on the bookfield. You truly learn more about yourself in 3 months and you get to have the opportunity to be the person you want to be. Out of everything I have grown in this summer, FAITH has been the most important to me this summer. Being able to gain true confidence in the LORD as I face the next day is beautiful. Super thankful for every door.
*includes team building bonus pay for being a student leader
*www.southwesternadvantage.com/Disclosure
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