Sales Summer Internship - Ohio

Packaging Corporation of America; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Holidays

401k with employer matching

Job summary

Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) offers a 13-week Sales Summer Internship spanning Design, Production, Customer Service, and Sales to build foundational sales knowledge. Interns may visit a PCA corporate office in Lake Forest, IL and could be considered for the GIFT rotational program after graduation.

Interns will pair with mentors, work on cross-functional projects, learn PCA’s sales process, and develop essential skills including communication, time management, and networking.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a degree in Sales, Marketing, Business or related discipline and have completed freshman year.
• GPA of 3.0/4.0 minimum.
• Must be eligible to work in the US on a full-time basis.

Responsibilities

• Pair with a mentor to guide development throughout the summer.
• Work on special projects across Design, Customer Service, Production and Sales.
• Understand PCA’s business, industry, and sales process.
• Build core sales skills: communication, presentation, time management, problem-solving, and networking.
• Assist with customer communication: inquiries, new items, lead follow‑up, and complaint resolution.
• Build a prospect list and visit customers with experienced Sales Representatives.
• Present a final project to the management team and fellow interns.

Skills

Strong communication

Professionalism

Multitasking

Travel

Education

Enrollment in Sales/Marketing/Business major

Freshman year completed

GPA 3.0/4.0

Job description

As a Fortune 500 company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an ideas and solutions company. Our corrugated packaging business seeks to be the leader in helping our customers — large and small — package, transport and display products of all kinds. Our white paper business delivers Paper With Purpose by providing the highest level of customer service and operational excellence. We have approximately 15,000 team members in more than 100 locations in the United States that strive to meet the local needs of our customers. Our mission is to serve the needs of our customers, today and tomorrow, with products and services that exceed expectations for performance and environmental responsibility.

People Customers Trust

Program Overview:

PCA’s 13-week (May – August) Sales Summer Internship offers hands‑on experience across key departments of Design, Production, Customer Service, and Sales while building foundational sales knowledge. Interns will also participate in a corporate office visit in Lake Forest, IL to engage with marketing, meet with PCA leadership, and network with fellow summer interns. Upon successful completion of the program, interns may be offered a full‑time position to begin after graduation into PCA’s GIFT Program (rotational sales development program).

Principle Accountabilities include:

• Each intern will be paired with a mentor to guide their development throughout the summer
• Work on special projects assigned to assist each business function of Design, Customer Service, Production and Sales.
• Understand PCA’s business, industry, and sales process
• Build core sales skills: communication, presentation, time management, problem-solving, and networking
• Assist with customer communication: inquiries, new items, lead follow‑up, and complaint resolution
• Build a prospect list and visit customers with experienced Sales Representatives
• Present a final project to the management team and fellow interns

Educational Requirements:

• Must be currently enrolled student majoring in Sales, Marketing, Business or related discipline and have completed their freshman year.
• A minimum grade point average of 3.0/4.0 is required
• Must be eligible to work in the US on a full‑time basis

Abilities/Skills:

• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal skills are essential
• Must be comfortable engaging with mentors, team members and customers
• Candidate must display maturity and a high level of professionalism
• Must be able to handle multiple projects or customer inquiries simultaneously
• Must be able to travel.

PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Starting salary for position: $25.00 - 30.00 per hour depending on your academic year.

• Paid Holidays.
• Upon hire, an employee is automatically enrolled in the 401k plan. The plan offers both pre‑tax and Roth contribution options along with employer provided matching contributions.
• Disclaimer: The Compensation and Benefits information in this posting represents PCA’s good faith and reasonable estimate of what it may pay for this position. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer