How do I make money?

The amount of money always depends on how hard you work. The most successful students in our programme work 75+ hours every week of the summer. The average first year dealer profits 1,830 UKP per month or 70UKP per day. This is based upon all dealers who sold for 21 days or more in their first summer last year.

Students from the UK, or those selling in the UK, should be aware that Southwestern complies with the following provisions of UK law: (point 1 is not relevant to the Southwestern scheme)

1. It is illegal for a promoter or a participant in a trading scheme to persuade anyone to make a payment by promising benefits from getting others to join a scheme.

2. Do not be misled by claims that high earnings are easily achieved. (See above paragraph regarding the amount of money students can make).

How do I get a Work Visa?

To work in our USA program;

In order to work in the USA students must apply for a J1 student work visa, allowing a cultural exchange to take place and a student to work in the USA for 4 months. The J1 Visa can be applied for through an issuing agency in the country of study. The most common one used for the Southwestern program is called GEC and you can find out more about how the visa would work for your country by contacting Global Educational Concepts.

You can find out more about how the visa would work for your country by visiting the Global Educational Concepts website or contacting Nick Helander on 0207 367 5059.

To work in our UK program;

Are the start up costs any different?

Students that participate in the US programme need to obtain a J1 visa.

The J1 visa typically costs a student between 340 and 380 UKP (depending on exchange rates and timing of application). There are travel costs to the USA incurred by the student, however their dealer agreement entitles them to a sales kit at no cost to the student. Flights to the US can cost from 350-400 UKP depending on the time of booking and your dates of travel.

J1 visa students participating in a commission job need to have funds available when arriving in the USA. This can be used to pay for expenses during sales school, where students stay in a local hotel, a flight to the field and the first two weeks selling.

For students that choose to work in the UK programme it is recommended that they have 150 UKP available when they arrive in Sales school. They are then given a sales kit, charged to their account at cost price of 160 UKP. This charge is then deducted from their profit at the end of the summer.

What about Transport?

International students in the USA have no initial access to a car and are therefore recommended to use a bicycle for the initial few months. They are typically placed in larger towns, where distances between sales territory is minimal. There is the option, after a student feels successful in the programme to invest in a cheap car with a couple of other roommates.

In the UK the public transport situation is more favourable, however if students have access to a car it is highly recommended they use it for the summer. Gaining access to a bicycle will also be practical.

Where will I be selling?

Students sell books in all the states in the USA and most counties in mainland Britain. A student from the European Union may choose whether they would like to work in the USA or UK for the summer. The students re-locate to a particular area for the whole summer along with other team members from local universities. It is suggested that students move away from home for the summer as they face less distractions and take their work more seriously. Employers like to see the ability to re-locate on a CV.

Where would I live?

As an independent contractor running your own business, you would be responsible for finding your own place to stay. Most students live with two other student dealers who share in the cost of housing. Although you are free to find an apartment or other commercial housing, most dealers prefer to live in private homes, paying rent to a host family. During Sales School, dealers are taught effective methods for locating suitable hosts, and for explaining the nature of their business and why they are looking to rent in a private home. Each year a large number of alumni are contacted as a means of gaining accommodation leads prior to the summer.

Does the country selling in make any difference to a students success?

A student has the same chance of success whichever country they sell books in. Both the UK and USA programmes work on the law of averages and the harder a student works the more they are rewarded. The rewards come after the summer in the form of real world experience, personal growth, and unparalleled financial opportunities.

Will English Language skills affect a students success?

Students need to able to speak and understand English to a competent level. Students from Estonia, France, Japan and China have proved it is possible to succeed if English is a second language.

What about the differences in the School System?

Every country has a different way of schooling their children. This is something that does not take too long to understand. Training is provided on the differences in Sales school, however the best way for a student to grasp the education system is by asking customers during their first few weeks selling.

Is it safe?

Safety is a primary issue for everyone taking part in the programme. Dealers are encouraged to take the unwritten rules from their own country and apply them to the country they are selling books in. Just as you would not accept a lift from stranger in France, you wouldn't in the USA or UK either. Women dealers attend their own meeting in Sales School highlighting safety issues, focusing on not going into a house unless a female is present during the demonstration and learning how to set up suitable evening appointments.

Should students have a mobile phone that works in the country they are selling in?

Mobile phone's that are not registered in the country a student is selling in can be highly expensive to use and also distracting throughout the daytime. The communication system in either country is excellent, students all have host families and inexpensive calling cards can be recommended by managers eliminating the need for mobile phone and the risk of a high bill at the end of the summer.

Is there any difference in the Paperwork?

Students need to fill out the similar paperwork for the programme. A J1 Dealer agreement is for students wanting to sell in the USA and who study in a different country. For students selling in the UK they need to complete a Customer Agreement. The Dealer/Customer Agreement is simply a document that defines how independent student dealers do business with Southwestern. It outlines that the dealer agrees to attend sales training classes prior to selling and it recognizes each individual's independent contractor status. This agreement also states that students do not have to meet sales quotas, or agree to buy a certain number of books, as well as guarantees students can return any books they do not deliver, provided they are in good condition. And finally, it allows the company to project the number of students expected in Sales School before the summer begins.

The Letter of Endorsement is a document that allows the dealer to open a line of credit with the Southwestern Company for the purchase of books and materials. This line of credit prevents the student from paying money up front for necessary supplies. The letter of credit requests two endorsers that agree to become responsible for books, and related business expenses, only if the dealer fails to make payment after the close of the selling season. Each endorser is only liable for $500/350UKP. Once received by the company, the letter of credit also initiates the shipment of samples and sales presentations so the student can begin learning the sales process.