FAQ’s

What is the Varsity Internship Program?

Founded in 1970, the Varsity Internship Program is a sales and management internship for college students of all majors, backgrounds, and personalities. Varsity teaches college students life success principles via hands-on experience in door-to-door referral sales, selling exclusive, premier sets of Bible In Stories books. Over 10,000 students have been through the program since 1970.

Is it safe?

Student safety is of utmost concern to us. As parents ourselves with children who have gone through the program, we understand parents concerns and thoroughly teach students proper safety precautions and procedures to promote a safe summer. We welcome calls to our Team Leaders, parents of current or former students, and/or myself in the VIP office at 423-727-7436.

Where do the students stay for the summer?

Students are paired up in groups of two to four students and assigned communities they will sell in during the summer. After learning how in Sales School, students network through the community for safe, affordable housing. Many students with rent from private individuals (basement and garage apartments), Varsity alumni, friends of friends, or church families in the community they will be selling.

Can my student sell close to home?

It is crucial to have the network of experienced students to draw on personally during the summer. For this reason, the groups are placed together for the summer. Relocating to a new locality not only enhances students perceived independence and maturity to prospective employers, but it also helps students focus on their work better. The fewer distractions students have, the more they often learn and benefit from the summer.

Where will they sell?

Student managers and executive leaders are constantly monitoring sales localities to determine which areas will be best for students to sell in each summer. The final decision is typically announced at Sales School, when the managers and executives can discern the optimal fit for team sizes and personalities.

How much do most students earn?

While each students success is determined by his/her teachability and work ethic, here are the average earnings our students gross during a 14-week summer:

First year student: $7,000+
Second year student: $10,000+
Third year student: $14,000+
Fourth year student: $18,000+

The most successful students work 75+ hours per week.

How can I stay in touch with my son or daughter during the summer?

The best way to stay in touch will be to call and talk with your student on Sundays. During the week, we encourage students to turn their cell phone off to allow both them and their customers to focus on their presentations. Since students are working long hours and desire to get the most out of their week days, we encourage them to focus on keeping their records accurate and organized, eating and sleeping well, and obtaining valuable feedback and coaching from their team leaders.

Isn’t book sales dead?

With the rise of e-books, this is a relevant question. Varsity markets avoids the typical decline of printed book sales by marketing a product that is both timeless and exclusive. Instead of decreasing business, Varsity has seen steady growth over the last few years, increasing 90% in sales year-over-year from summer 2010 to 2011 alone.