JAKEICHESNEY
Student Testimonials
Below are students that spent their summers together in 2025 sharing what Triple Threat’s summer program has meant to them
Olivia Perez
University of North Texas / class of 2028 / Communication & English / 682-347-6706
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2026 - $9,400
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
I would definitely say the community has been the biggest advantage. Just being surrounded by people who encourage you to do better and be the best version of yourself, while also supporting you in doing that.
Jack Waller
University of Alabama / class of 2026 / Business Management / 334-435-6884
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2025 - $14,800
2026 - $20,800
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The biggest thing for me this summer was learning to have peace by doing my best and having faith that God will give me the best possible outcome. I also learned the importance of spreading love to everyone, regardless of how they treat me. This results in more peace.
Shelby Roberts
Kennesaw State University / class of 2030 / Architecture / 912-655-3183
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2026 - $19,300
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The biggest advantage from participating this summer was the growth in my character, skills, and myself as a person. A summer with Southwestern is one of the best things young, career-driven professionals can do with their time. Nothing else will push you the way Southwestern does, and nothing else will be more rewarding than this. This internship was way more than just a summer job; it’s a way to start my future and take steps toward future success.
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*
2025 - $49,500*
2026 - $47,400*
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.
Leyton Preston
University of Tennessee / class of 2029 / Business Analytics & Finance / 865-279-5836
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2026 - $12,700
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
I have learned so much through the internship regarding my communication and people skills. It is one thing to push yourself and do something outside of your comfort zone, but then there is the internship. It has been so impactful to be able to see how focused and intentional I can be with everything I do regardless of time or feeling. This has helped in my personal life and professional life with friends, family, and businesses. Plus when I have a conversation with another human being, I feel so much more connected even if I just met them. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to participate in this program that has helped shape me into the man I am today!
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*
2025 - $67,800*
2026 - $78,600*
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.
Jude McClanahan
University of Georgia / class of 2029 / Finance / 470-461-1030
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2026 - $29,900
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The biggest advantages for me have been having numbers to put on my resume, developing a more opportunistic mindset about life and focusing on making myself better instead of wasting my time, becoming more confident in professional situations, and gaining self-awareness of my own emotions and how to work through them.
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*
2025 - $105,400*
2026 - $54,600*
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!
Jahir Lopez
Georgia Southern University / class of 2029 / Business Management / 912-245-8057
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2026 - $2,800
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
After completing the Southwestern Advantage program, I can proudly say I am a more confident individual. It taught me to appreciate even the little things, like the food on our plate or the clouds in the sky. I have never had any program, club, fraternity, or sport teach me more than this. It has changed my life forever, and I don’t regret partaking in these trials and tribulations. The people I’ve met and the things I’ve seen have made it something I feel everyone should do at least once in this life.
Victor Dekeyser
Auburn University / class of 2028 / Mechanical Engineering / 678-230-5568
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2025 - $12,200
2026 - $31,200*
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Before being introduced to Southwestern I wasn't really capable and confident going out and advocating for myself. I also didn't know what it took to control everything on my own and this past summer experience has shown what is needed as a person and that there is always something more I can do to improve myself. I was always more of an introvert and quiet person and I realized that that's fine but I need to be able to communicate and be confident in many situations to be successful and where I want to be in life. Southwestern has taught me so many skills and how to have fun while doing anything to keep great a attitude and character.
Durva Patel
Mercer University / class of 2029 / Business / 912-464-2659
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2026 - $13,900
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Southwestern taught me to keep showing up and not give up when things get hard. It taught me how to genuinely enjoy spending time with myself and others, and how to make even the little ordinary moments more exciting. Most importantly, it taught me discipline, consistency, and to persist until I succeed, while also learning to live in the present and appreciate even the tiniest things in life, like pretty flowers outside, rainy weather, or feeding deer some food. It also taught me that everyone has their own things going on in life, so sometimes you just have to keep your head up and keep on rollin’.
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*
2025 - $27,200*
2026 - $26,100
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.
Carly Lenhardt
Mercer University / class of 2026 / Journalism & Media and Film Studies / 772-217-1195
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2026 - $18,400
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The biggest advantage is gaining the confidence that I can do whatever I put my mind to, and I proved to myself that no dream is too big.
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*
2025 - $59,500*
2026 - $23,300*
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Growth mindset! And building belief!
Ella Boothe
Mercer University / class of 2029 / Business Marketing / 912-235-1958
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2026 - $17,300
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The biggest advantages that I took away from this summer were learning how to be joyous in the Lord in every circumstance, gaining hands-on skills that showed me what it really means to run my own business, thriving in my independence, and learning how to make the impossible possible in the Lord’s strength. My character and personal growth have never peaked this high. I have the confidence and courage to make a difference and change the world! I’m so grateful to Southwestern for providing me this opportunity to grow in love, patience, kindness, goodness, humility, gentleness, faithfulness, peace, self-control, discipline, and joy.
Gus Brown
LSU / class of 2025 / Philosophy / 337-523-6899
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2025 - $10,000
2026 - $31,100*
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Over my first summer, some of the valuable skills I have gained from working with Southwestern are persistence, integrity, discipline, and courage. The book field is unlike any experience around the world in terms of growth and development. I genuinely think that everyone should do at least one summer because of the overall experience.
Timothy Kangni-Zovoin
University of Georgia / class of 2029 / Computer Systems Engineering, Finance & International Business / 404-643-4170
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2026 - $3,000
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
My biggest advantage was learning how to stick to a schedule and improving my confidence, work ethic, and communication skills.
Nicole Richards
University of North Texas / class of 2028 / Business / 469-984-7364
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2025 - $13,800
2026 - $41,200*
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Before the summer I felt I lacked discipline and direction, I took the opportunity with the intention of growing within myself emotionally and professionally. The summer helped me instill the discipline I lacked, and helped me regain confidence in my ability and ethic. In short, the experience was deeply transformative for me and something I am grateful to be apart of. You get exactly what you put in. The summer is profound if you transform the monotony into the once in a lifetime experience that it is, it’s an opportunity to grow in your faith, in your profession and in your everyday life.
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
2025 - $12,100
2026 - $28,900
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!
Hannah Smith
John Brown University / class of 2028 / Film and International Business / 501-918-8610
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2025 - $6,900
2026 - $15,100
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Southwestern was a phenomenal option for people like me who wanted to grow in their character because it offers a way to grow, learn, and earn. Going out for the summer is a commitment to becoming a selfless leader. It’s where I’ve leaned on God the most. My character, as testified by friends, family, and my own self-image, has drastically changed. I have much more initiative, my heart posture towards helping others is more poignant, and I feel much more confident. My heart for servant-leading has grown during my experience in the summer. All my fear dissolved whenever I was able to think more about how I could serve a family, and less about what I looked like as a student rep. I have a lot of areas to grow in, but I’m glad I was able to identify them this summer, and I’m excited to get to work on them next summer!
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
2025 - $14,100
2026 - $16,800
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.
Andrew Hagelgans
Baylor University / class of 2026 / Finance / 615-336-2420
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2025 - $20,600
2026 - $42,100
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
This summer was awesome because I really got to grow in my belief and confidence of myself. Being able to do an internship this hard and challenging was amazing as I was able to prove to myself throughout the summer that I was not able to just survive something hard, but also thrive. This has enabled me to believe in myself more in the future and has empowered me to know that I can push myself and do hard things.
Marilin Cruz-Morales
Georgia Southern University / class of 2029 / Biology (Pre-Dental) / 706-347-2795
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2026 - $9,600
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Since coming back from the summer, I feel the difference in how I go about life. My perspective on different things has changed, in a good way. Procrastination is no longer something I really struggle with. Experiencing a summer doing something not everyone will do helps build your mental resilience and really helps you find yourself.
Parker Burgdorf
University of Tennessee / class of 2027 / Marketing & Entrepreneur / 615-979-3685
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2025 - $13,300
2026 - $37,500*
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The summer really provides the best opportunity to really become intentional about who you really are and what kind of man/woman, spouse, and father/mother you want to be in the future. For me, I not only grew in my ability to deal with any of the multitudes of stress life can throw at you, but I came to understand myself and define my purpose: To impact, to uplift, and to serve others with love. I feel like that is the most succinct way to describe how I want to live my life. If I can genuinely love others in every single moment of every single day, no matter the circumstances, then I couldn’t imagine a more virtuous and happy way to live.
Jeshua Castillo-Kelly
Greenville Technical College / class of 2029 / Business Management / 803-806-2340
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2026 - $9,900
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The biggest advantage for me this summer was the lack of distractions. There aren’t many opportunities where you get to cut out all the outside noise and focus on one thing, and for me, that was simply getting to the next door. This summer allowed me to grow so much as a person because I wasn’t worried about all the extra things going on around me. I was able to stay focused and grow in areas like time management, communication, and grit. Overall, the experience pushed me to become more disciplined and a better version of myself.
Hayden Holder
Lamar University / class of 2028 / Entrepreneurship / 409-656-5265
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2024 - $10,800
2025 - $29,300*
2026 - $19,600
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
Southwestern Advantage has impacted me in multiple ways over the past three summers. This internship truly gives you a training ground to learn real-life skills while at the same time giving you an opportunity to invest in your future. I think what has been most impactful has been strengthening my faith in Jesus and being able to bring more people to Christ.
Lauren Swafford
Western Kentucky University / class of 2023 / Health Science / 606-657-6481
Which Summers did you work and how much money did you earn?
2026 - $13,400
What have been the biggest “Advantages" for you from having participated?
The real advantage wasn’t the sales part; it was the person I became doing it. This summer stripped things down to what actually matters. My faith got stronger because I had to trust things were working out even when it was hard to see. I learned to shrug off rejection instead of letting it get to me, got a lot better at connecting with people quickly, and figured out how to roll with whatever the day threw at me. I came out of it tougher and way more sure of myself.
*includes team building bonus pay for being a student leader
*www.southwesternadvantage.com/Disclosure
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