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Internships at Sonoco

Sonoco internships immerse students in the manufacturing and packaging industries. Students spend the summer working on impactful projects in a division, learning about Sonoco’s culture and gaining business knowledge and leadership skills.

  • 12 weeks of hands-on experiences and opportunities.
  • Gain a better understanding of future potential at Sonoco.
  • Potential to join the Emerging Leaders Program or entry-level positions upon graduation.
  • Available at approximately 150 locations in 34 states across the U.S.
  • Activities with other interns and Emerging Leader associates.
  • Housing and activity allowances provided.
  • Relocation assistance provided.

Sonoco’s internship program is designed to be a stepping stone into an Emerging Leader Program Full-Time Associate role. Scroll down the page to learn more about Sonoco's Emerging Leader Program.

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“Sonoco is an excellent place for students seeking a long-term career that begins with an internship. And the proof is in the pudding, with 21% of their leadership team coming from their intern or training program. Their 12-week internship program is meant to give an inside look into working at Sonoco, similar to what it is like for a full-time associate. They help interns with relocation and housing costs, as they know a student’s budget can be smaller. In addition, they provide interns with opportunities to be involved in Diversity & Unity groups and other activities throughout their internship.”

Untapped's 2022 - Top 75 Internship Programs

Emerging Leaders Program

Sonoco’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is a selective program designed to identify Sonoco’s next generation of business leaders. The ELP has been at Sonoco for more than 40 years, and the majority of our business leaders began their career at Sonoco in the Emerging Leaders Program.

There are two types of positions within the ELP: summer internships and full-time opportunities.

  • ELP summer internships at Sonoco are approximately 12 weeks in duration, project-based and hands-on so students can gain real-world experience and provide meaningful ROI for both Sonoco and our interns.
  • ELP full-time positions are more than just a first full-time job at Sonoco - for the first 12-18 months of their employment with Sonoco, ELP full-time associates have additional, built-in access to team-building activities with their cohort, dedicated mentorship and ongoing leadership development programming.

Our diverse portfolio of businesses provides opportunities across our multiple business units, integration into Sonoco’s culture and the opportunity to make a true impact from day one.

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Sonoco is dedicated to developing future leaders. The ELP program has provided me with opportunities to grow and succeed in my leadership roles. Sonoco’s dedication to putting people first ensures the success of young professionals like myself to develop skills vital to becoming an effective leader. I chose Sonoco because I believe in their mission to provide a safe environment for their employees, consumers and local communities.

Steven Lopez, Current ELP Ends and Closures Shift Supervisor
Memphis, TN / Clemson, BS

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