Well, if there’s anyone who’s qualified to write about internships at Orvis, it has to be me. I spent the summers after my sophomore and junior years as an intern in the Human Resources Department. Why did I pick Orvis? Because I am a life long fly fisherman and I love their products. I found the internship listed on their website, and knew that I had to have it. As an Industrial and Labor Relations major, I couldn’t think of a better fit than a HR internship with the company that built my favorite fly rod.
Orvis has been around since 1856, which apparently makes them the oldest continuously operating catalog company in the country. They have an extremely rich history, which is still a significant factor in the way the company operates today. You should be familiar with this history because it will help you write an impressive cover letter and interview well. The single best resource on Orvis’ history is The Orvis Story, but that costs money, and if you get an internship, then you can use Orvis’ generous 50% employee discount to buy it. So what about web resources on Orvis’ history? There’s this page on the history of Orvis, a timeline of Orvis’ accomplishment, and a very detailed Wikipedia entry on Orvis.
Orvis’ storied history is based on sporting traditions (mostly hunting and fishing), and with that has come their modern focus on distinctive country living. As much as they are known for their fly fishing equipment, Orvis is not just a sporting company; however, their product selection is targeted at people who enjoy the sporting life. Orvis also puts a huge emphasis on environmental conservation, so they are constantly involved with projects that protect the resources, like cold water fisheries, that drive their business.
Orvis does not have a formal internship program. They occasionally post internships on their Careers page, but it’s a department by department thing. If the head of department decides that they want an intern for the summer and has a clear project that needs to be done, then they’ll get one. Currently they have two internships posted for undergrads. One is in Merchandising Analysis and the other is in Graphic Design and Advertising. There’s also an internship that is intended for MBA students in Liquidations Pricing Analysis. One of the internships was just added recently, so keep your eye out for more. Orvis usually acts late when it comes to hiring interns, so you might also want to try cold calling and convincing someone to create an internship for you.
Just as hiring is dependent on department needs, internship experiences are dependent on who your boss is. Some bosses are much more excited to have interns than others, so be sure to get a good read on your potential boss at some point during the hiring process. Typically, Orvis only hires interns when there is a project planned for them, so you should find the work quite meaningful. During my first Summer I analyzed the Associate Survey and presented my findings to Orvis’ Executive Committee (CEO, CFO, VPs, etc.), and my second Summer consisted of my designing and implementing a new performance evaluation system for the entire company. I learned a lot, was treated well, and had a fantastic internship experience because my boss was so enthusiastic about having an intern.
Beyond their internship listings, Orivs also lists positions at Orvis Endorsed Operations on their Job Openings Page. These aren’t actually Orvis jobs, but they do offer the opportunity to spend a summer working for an amazing resort at a big name destination. A lot of these jobs are as fishing guides, but a few are in hospitality.
Orvis’ internships are at their corporate office in Sunderland, VT on the edge of a 377-acre natural black bear habitat. The office is absolutely beautiful and fits perfectly with both the surroundings and Orvis’ mission. There’s a small gym on-site, hiking trails, a casting pond, and a cafe with great food. With that said, it’s in the middle of nowhere - the Orvis office doesn’t even have a zip code. The Manchester area of Vermont is not the most happening place. Yes, they have outlet shopping, but beyond that it’s all about the outdoors. Restaurants are closed by 9, and gas stations close by 10. So if you’re out fishing after that, you’re not going to find anything to eat except what’s in the refrigerator.
If you consider going fishing after work and being in bed by 10 a night well spent, then interning at Orvis will be perfect for you. Ditto if you enjoy helping your co-workers train their dogs on your lunch break. If you’re already an Orvis customer, you know what distinctive country living is all about. If that appeals to you, then use the links to below to find out more about internships at Orvis. Also, feel free to contact me through the comments section if you want to hear more about my experiences interning for Orvis.
Links to Help You Begin Your Research
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I forgot to mention that the internships are paid!