Picture this: You’re a recent college graduate looking for an amazing role that’ll give you leadership experience and skills to succeed in sales, operations, and IT. The problem? You feel like you don’t even have enough experience to start a job in any of those fields.
Enter leading transportation services company Penske and its Management Trainee Program. Penske’s program searches for the next great leaders and trains them to be successful managers through hands-on learning and mentorship. And Penske knows what it’s doing, because 87% of all leaders in the company started in this program.
So, what’s it like to be part of Penske’s Management Trainee Program? We spoke with six amazing employees who shared their favorite parts.
1. You’ll Enjoy Your Work
“I go to work every day excited about getting to run my facility the way I want to, to make sure it’s the most profitable location in my district. I’ve also enjoyed interacting with Penske leadership during this program. It’s very encouraging to touch base with people who were once in my shoes and are now in leadership roles. Penske is a wonderful company to grow with. Starting off as a management trainee has opened the door to so many opportunities in my life.” – Ress, Hartford, Connecticut
“I really want my days to feel like a drag!” said no employee ever. At Penske, each day can be different as you’re operating and building your district, and you never know what will come up. You’ll also get to work closely with a variety of different team members, so you’ll feel excited to learn something new every single day.
2. You’ll Get Actual Experience (and Don’t Need Any to Start!)
“Before coming to Penske, I was in sales. I was attracted to the Management Trainee Program because of the training opportunities it offered. When I was job searching, I had problems getting a job because I didn’t have experience in an operational role. Penske offered me a chance to get that experience. I’ve learned so much in my time here, but I’ve also built so many amazing relationships with customers and with co-workers. Working at Penske is not work for me. Every day I go to work and I work hard, but when I go home, I don’t feel like I just spent all day at work. It’s probably the most rewarding career I’ve ever had.” – Santiago, El Paso, Texas
Ever heard the joke that too many entry-level jobs require three to five years of work experience? Penske knows that with the right tools and mentorship, anyone can succeed, which is why they don’t require team members in the program to come in with lots of prior knowledge. That’s right, Penske is going to help you build the skills you need to become a successful leader.
3. You’ll Learn Many Different Skills
“Penske is more than just renting trucks. There’s a lot of logistics, a lot of planning, a lot of marketing that goes into it. I have a lot of exposure to leadership in my role. On a daily basis, I get to work with some of the senior managers in central reservations. They’ve personally trained me on profit-and-loss reports. It’s been really nice that I’ve been able to network with them in my time here. I love my job. It’s something new every day, and it’s rewarding.” – Jenna, Green Hills, Pennsylvania
If you become part of the Penske Management Trainee Program, one thing’s for sure: You won’t walk away with just one skill set.
4. You’ll Gain Real and Meaningful Responsibilities from the Start
“Being a management trainee can be challenging, but you learn so much. Problem-solving is 98% of your job at Penske, so you have to learn to think on your feet. Along with that comes a lot of control. I have control to really manage my fleet and manage my Penske location. That’s something that’s unheard of for an entry-level position like this. For anyone thinking about the Management Trainee Program at Penske, I’d tell them that if you want to come work for a great company that’s going to give you opportunities to move anywhere in the country and opportunities to grow, not only as a person but in a business, Penske is the place for you.” – Brian, Evansville, Indiana
Many entry-level jobs have the same issue: They don’t give people enough work to do! At Penske, that isn’t a problem. Management trainees are encouraged to take the reins from day one and to learn as much as possible.
5. You’ll Exceed Expectations
“I think it’s important for other women considering the Management Trainee Program at Penske to know that it’s about learning how to run the rental department and sales. It is a true management training program, and you get to learn the company from the bottom up. If you work hard, you will see results. Being a woman in the transportation industry was difficult when I first started. The customers didn’t know I could move a truck. But I knew I could do what any other guy working there could do.” – Janae, Montebello, California
Some industries are difficult to break into, but Penske knows that by giving all team members equal opportunity to shine, they’ll rise to the occasion.
6. You’ll Be Part of A Team
“I first came to Penske as a summer hire. I worked here every summer during college and then came back here after college to start my career. What brought me back were the connections I had made with my coworkers and my manager. We have a great team environment here. Everyone is on the same team. There’s competition, but it’s all friendly competition to help the company be successful. Being in the Management Trainee Program has given me the chance to really learn the ins and outs of the industry. You learn something new every day. To be constantly learning can be a challenge at times, but it’s also very rewarding.” – Ben, Green Hills, Pennsylvania
When it comes down to it, most people want the same things out a job: They want to feel like they’re part of something and they want to walk away with more knowledge and skills. At Penske, you get the chance to work alongside team members who are as smart and excited as you to accomplish something amazing together, and you’ll all learn so much by the time you’ve completed the program.
If Penske’s Management Trainee Program sounds like the perfect fit for your post-grad life, now’s your chance: Apply to work for Penske now!
More From Penske:
87% of this Company’s Leadership Went Through This Program First
