P&G empowers interns to lead strategic projects from day one

Instead of offering merely observational experiences, P&G gives its interns the responsibility of leading strategic projects from the start of their journey at the company. This model reinforces the commitment to leadership development and sustainable business growth.

“Whether interns are working on an Olympics project or an ad that’s going to the Super Bowl or transforming a manufacturing process, it’s the kind of scope and scale that makes an impact”, said Dale Tolley, HR Director for Talent Acquisition in North America. According to him, good ideas aren’t tied to time at the company – what matters is the ability to generate value from day one.

P&G’s internship program offers opportunities across a range of areas -including marketing, engineering, supply chain, finance, R&D, IT, sales, and manufacturing – and is considered the main recruiting channel for full-time positions. Globally, the company receives over one million applications per year, and many of those hired started as interns.

In North America, around 600 to 800 students are selected annually for a 12-week program. In each project, participants work closely with senior leaders, contributing ideas and solutions to real business challenges – even in segments like personal care and tissue.

INNOVATION THAT STARTS AT THE BASE

P&G’s innovation model encourages the creation of entirely new categories, and interns play a key role in this process. “We’re looking for people who can build something that hasn’t been built yet or recombine ideas and do something new”, Tolley explained.

Amanda Munsell is a prime example. She interned between 2021 and 2023 in the Personal Care and Grooming divisions and is now an associate scientist in Boston. During her internship, she was responsible for the final validation testing of a new Venus razor before its launch decision. “If that isn’t powerful impact, I don’t know what is”, she said.

In addition to participating in strategic projects, interns also engage in initiatives aligned with P&G’s corporate values and purpose. For Ricci Grapilon, now an HR business partner in the Philippines, the internship was a turning point: “I was empowered to lead impactful projects that resonated with my passions, inspiring me to achieve more than I ever imagined”, she shared.

The journey also includes access to award-winning leadership programs and mentorship from senior executives. In 2024, Saudi Arabian intern Seba Fatani completed a sales internship and was promoted to sales manager just a few months later. “My internship at P&G was a transformative experience that pushed me to step outside my comfort zone”, she emphasized.

P&G’s “build from within” culture is a cornerstone of its talent strategy. Dale Tolley himself began his career at the company as an intern. “The reason I stay here is all the smart, emotionally intelligent, skilled leaders that really know their craft. I wanted to be around people like that because I knew I would become like that if I was with them and could learn from them”, he said.

With a clear policy of valuing ideas and talent from the start, the company reinforces its commitment to sustainable innovation – whether in product development, supply chain evolution or creating more effective consumer experiences.