The BHP is pleased to welcome PepsiCo as our Class of 2017 sponsor. They joined us for our Freshmen Leadership Kickoff this weekend and it was a great start to our four-year partnership with them. As a global company, PepsiCo brings together diverse talent to support its beloved billion-dollar brands and deliver outstanding results in the marketplace. PepsiCo offers internship programs and full-time opportunities to college applicants. PepsiCo values leadership development, teamwork, and FUN. Learn more about what it is like to work for PepsiCo and opportunities available this year for internships and full-time positions during their coffee chat on Thursday, September 12 from 2:30-3:15 pm and 3:15-4:00 pm. These three BHP alums have worked in a variety of roles for PepsiCo and have had great opportunities and experiences along the way.
Joe Reske
Graduated 2000, Marketing & Business Honors BBA / 2007 McCombs MBA – Marketing
Current Role: Marketing Director, Cheetos
Favorite Project: Every new assignment brings a new ‘favorite’ (launching Flamin’ Hot Funyuns, commercials with our potato farmers), but my overall favorite is our Cheetos partnership with Universal Pictures & Despicable Me 2. From making Cheetos displays that look like Minions from the movie – to developing an animated short introducing our new Cheetos products that ran in theaters before the movie – this was a marketer’s dream pairing of two strong properties that was not only successful, but fun, too.
Interesting Fact: I was one of the original peer advisors for the Business Honors Program. Back then we were a smaller (still excellent) program housed in a tiny office, fighting for recognition. It amazes me to see where the passion of the BHP leaders (both administration and students) has elevated the program today. Never underestimate the power of passion.
Favorite PepsiCo product: Diet Mountain Dew and Cheetos Mix-Ups
Matt Smith
Graduated 2003, Business Honors and Marketing
Current Role: Senior Manager, Food for Good
What makes you excited to come to work each day?
Finding new ways to get healthy food to kids through Food for Good. Performance with Purpose makes PepsiCo very unique, but no other company is supporting an internal “social enterprise” to fight hunger and poverty. With Food for Good, PepsiCo has given me the opportunity to do “purpose-driven” work with great work/life balance.
Watch this video to find out more about Matt’s work with Food for Good: http://bit.ly/sH2KWL
What career advice do you have for undergrad students?
1) Decide what matters to you before you get into your first job – both big goals and little daily priorities – and don’t waver; 2) Learn how to follow and listen before you try to lead; 3) Do what you love, don’t settle. If that perfect job isn’t there for you, create it; 4) Give back. Serve those who haven’t had the same opportunities as you.
Favorite PepsiCo product: Tostitos Cantina Thin & Crispy
Courtney Duncan
Graduated 2012, Finance, Business Honors, and Spanish
Current Role: Brand Finance Analyst, Lay’s, Lay’s Kettle Cooked, and Rold Gold
What do you most enjoy about your job?
I love the level of responsibility given to me as a first-year analyst—I have full ownership of one of my brands, I generate analyses that impact business decisions, and I have exposure to senior leadership. The people also make my job great—it is refreshing to work alongside brilliant, determined, and fun colleagues—much like the company you keep in BHP.
What are you involved with at PepsiCo beyond your everyday job?
I am the SXSW Initiative Chair responsible for organizing a team of employees that travel down to Austin to attend the Interactive portion of the festival. This past March, I attended SXSW to bring back ideas about how PepsiCo can use new technologies or enter new distribution channels to adapt to the changing retail landscape. I also lead a Business Impact team in our Women’s Initiative Network, assist with the enhancement of Finance’s recognition programs, lead our UT BHP recruiting efforts, and participate in our Corporate Challenge teams (ie. Intramural sports for grown-ups). I am grateful that PepsiCo encourages its employees to get engaged in activities beyond their day-to-day job that meet their unique interests!
Favorite PepsiCo product: Muller Greek Corner Yogurt
Connect with us!
Twitter: @PepsiCoJOBS
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/PepsiCo/careers
Facebook: facebook.com/PepsiCo
PepsiCo.com: PepsiCo.com/Careers