How Colgate-Palmolive Interns are Bringing Our Values to Life

products in circles

Discover how Colgate-Palmolive is empowering future leaders through its Global Internship Program, which provides students with unique opportunities to develop new skills, experience different cultures and gain valuable insights while working at our offices.

Category
Careers, Internship

Published
July 23, 2024

At Colgate-Palmolive, we are proud of our purpose to reimagine a healthier future for all. One way we do this is through our Summer Internship Program in our New York Headquarters, which provides individuals with unique opportunities to develop new skills, experience different cultures and gain valuable insights while working at our offices around the world. From the United States to Brazil, France to the Dominican Republic and beyond, our interns are instrumental in driving change and fostering an environment that encourages creativity and collaboration.

Our internship program has been recognized and named in the prestigious Top 100 Internship Programs list for 2024. This achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of everyone involved in making our internship program a success. We continuously strive to provide meaningful and impactful experiences for our interns, and this recognition affirms our efforts.

During this year’s Intern Week (July 22nd - July 26th), we shined a light on the remarkable energy and fresh perspectives brought in by our college and highschool interns. As they worked with various teams, from research and development to marketing and communications, their contributions underline the importance of an environment ripe with creativity and teamwork.  

Driving Global Change: How Colgate-Palmolive Makes an Impact

Embracing diversity is part of our Company’s culture. This Intern Week, we geared our efforts towards amplifying the diverse voices that make up our intern program. Celebrating over 170 interns who speak more than 40 languages in the US alone,, we showcased a vibrant montage featuring interns articulating Colgate-Palmolive's reimagined values of Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous in their native tongues. This powerful visual and auditory representation of our inclusivity is a testament to our commitment to fostering a global, culturally-rich workforce.

A Dynamic Discussion: Insights from Colgate-Palmolive Executives

Colgate-Palmolive's interns had the exclusive opportunity to participate in a panel discussion featuring two of the company's distinguished leaders: Chief Human Resources Officer Sally Massey and Chief Financial Officer Stan Sutula. As a highlight of the summer internship program's 'Lunch and Learn' series, the event offered interns valuable perspectives on career development and the essence of corporate leadership. Engaging with our C-suite executives afforded the interns a deeper understanding of the pathways to career progression and the intricacies of our corporate ethos. The enthusiasm to implement these insights into their personal career plans was palpable among the attendees. Colgate-Palmolive's ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent further cements its reputation as a leading destination for driven young professionals.

Piscataway Campus Visits: Making Space for Innovation + Mental Wellbeing 

a group of interns smiling

A visit to Colgate-Palmolive’s Piscataway Campus showcased the Company's leading-edge technologies and included a focus on mental health. College and high school interns toured the latest facilities, witnessed where innovation unfolds, and connected directly with senior leadership. r. Tom Boyd, Sr. Director, Professional Products Research & Development, led an interactive “Lunch & Learn” session on our Global Tech and Design capabilities. The event culminated with the Live Better Mental Wellbeing seminar, equipping staff with strategies to maintain mental wellness. This visit offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of our technological advancements and connect with colleagues in a dynamic setting.

Inside Look: The Day in the Life of a Colgate-Palmolive College Intern

At Colgate-Palmolive, we are committed to nurturing future leaders. Isabel Slippen, a returning intern who’s spent  three summers at our New York City office and a Colgate Women’s Games competitor, has evolved from a high school to college intern. Her dedication to growing at CP showcases the dynamic growth fostered by our internship program. Her “Day in the Life” vlog offers a look at everyday life as an intern, showcasing the remarkable opportunities for hands-on learning and the promise of developing a fulfilling career at Colgate-Palmolive.

Expanding Horizons: Our Global Internship Program

Our internship program extends well beyond the New York tri-state area. Currently, we offer internships across the United States in Arizona and Kansas, as well as in several countries including Brazil, South Africa, France, and more. Read on to learn more about our program in Mexico!

a group of interns smiling

For over 30 years, we have supported students embarking on their first professional experiences, serving as a critical talent pipeline for our company. Our Mexico internship program exemplifies this commitment with its strong partnerships with nearly 20 universities and a gender distribution that is almost 50/50, reinforcing our dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I).

Currently, we host 117 interns who engage in nearly all functions of Colgate, benefiting from the holistic participation in a variety of company initiatives and programs such as DE&I, Cares Day, Live Better, and more. Internship roles across different departments allow these interns to gain comprehensive exposure and contribute meaningfully to our company.

Our long-standing support for interns not only empowers these young professionals but also ensures that our workforce remains vibrant and diverse, encompassing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.

brazil intern group
interns from brazil smiling

At Colgate-Palmolive, we value the development of all our people. In our São Paulo, Brazil office, we organize in-person and online meetings throughout the year to promote connection, learning, and growth among our interns.

In August, we held the annual “New Generation” meeting at the Imigrantes unit. The event featured the third episode of the series “Por Dentro do Negócio," with Juliana Cora, Director of Customer Services, who shared insights about the pivotal role of our distribution center. Additionally, we organized presentations, a tour of the plant, and a “Bingo of Connections,” fostering interaction between interns from the company’s four units.

Marta Santana, an intern at Colgate-Palmolive, said: "These meetings are essential for those who are starting out. They help us learn about other areas and apply what we have learned in our daily routines. The event was interactive, with talks, food, games, and incredible giveaways!"

Ana Paula Hayashida added: "It was great to see how the distribution center works in practice and to materialize what we learned in theory. Meeting interns from other units through bingo was really exciting."

Career Opportunities at Colgate-Palmolive: Building Your Future with Us

Our vision for a healthier future spans beyond our products—it extends to nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. Colgate-Palmolive takes pride in acknowledging the significant role our interns play in the vibrancy of our offices and the fresh perspectives they bring to our mission. To discover more about our initiatives and the intern opportunities available, we invite you to explore Colgate-Palmolive's career site at jobs.colgate.com. Join us, and you too can contribute to a movement that's reimagining a healthier, happier world for all.

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