Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc. (COCA-COLA UNITED) has chosen two Alcorn State University students for its 2024 Pay It Forward internship program. Solomon Bryant and Porsha Brown are among 31 students chosen from 17 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the company’s six-state footprint.
The Pay It Forward program, now in its ninth year, offers a week-long, immersive experience designed to celebrate student achievements and build on their success. Participants receive a $2,000 stipend and a lifetime Coca-Cola Brand Ambassadorship upon completion.
Bryant, a senior education major from Minden, La., appreciates the program’s overall approach.
“We discovered during the Pay it Forward internship how the Coca-Cola United bottling company showcases the brand’s efficacy in everything from the daily operations of the front office to the product being manufactured,” said Bryant. “The Coca-Cola United team prioritizes its employees and understands the value of building strong relationships, operating much like a close-knit family. We learned how Coca-Cola United positions itself in the national bottling industry and how it markets itself.”
Brown, a senior majoring in human development and family science from Natchez, Miss., found the internship insightful.
“I learned how the product gets from the warehouse to stores and restaurants. The opportunity to shadow multiple roles throughout the company was very valuable,” Brown stated.
From July 15-19, interns gained hands-on experience across various departments, including sales, production, marketing, and human resources. The program aims to prepare students for the job market by exposing them to day-to-day business operations and emphasizing the importance of networking.
“My greatest lesson learned from my shadowing internship was the importance of effective communication and teamwork in a professional setting,” said Brown. “I observed how clear and concise communication, along with collaboration among team members, significantly impacts the success of projects and the overall efficiency of the workplace.”
Coca-Cola UNITED President and CEO Mike Suco expressed his enthusiasm for the program.
“We are thrilled to welcome this year’s outstanding group of students to our Pay It Forward program,” said Suco. “This internship is more than just a learning opportunity; it’s a platform for these future leaders to network, grow and better envision their career paths.”
In 2015, Coca-Cola UNITED teams in Birmingham and Montgomery established Pay It Forward to provide students with opportunities to succeed. Since that time, more than 100 students have participated in the program.
