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Get a head start on your career and gain real-world corporate experience.
Gordon Food Service has partnered with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to develop opportunities for the best and brightest students to grow and develop their leadership skills, increase their understanding of the foodservice industry and gain valuable experiences that will provide a foundational base for future development.
Our purpose is to serve our customers with the highest quality foodservice products and services. We achieve this purpose through innovative systems and the spirit and integrity of our people. Our Cornerstone Values are the principles that guide every interaction, and how we evaluate our performance and measure our success. These values include:
Gordon Food Service has established a remarkable partnership with esteemed Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) nationwide. This collaboration aims to foster meaningful student connections and create valuable opportunities for talented individuals who are graduating from college. Through this initiative, Gordon Food Service demonstrates its commitment to enhancing diversity within the company and promoting inclusivity on a global scale.
Are you looking for an internship that allows you to experience all the different facets of food service distribution and operations? Are you interested in how departments contribute to the success of a larger organization? If so, we might have the perfect internship opportunity for you!
Gordon Food Service, in conjunction with the HBCU, is offering an exciting paid opportunity to experience all the different functions with the GFS Operations department. Each week you will “journey” through a different department in GFS, learning what they do, how they do it, and how their work plays into the overall picture.
Each summer we host a paid 10-week rotational internship program that allows students from our partnering HBCUs to job shadow our teams in departments including Human Resources, Marketing, Transportation, Finance, and more. In the first year of the program, students gain knowledge and experience within Gordon Food Service. Second-year interns will work directly with one department of their choosing to hyper-focus on their prospective careers after they graduate.
Hear from our past interns about their experience working and learning in our HBCU program partnership with Gordon Food Service.
"The HBCU Program is a wonderful opportunity to work with a corporate business that truly feels like family at every level. Not only has it given me a chance to work outside my major, it opened a lot of doors for a future career."
"Gordon Food Service is an exceptional company that genuinely prioritizes your well-being and empowers you to surpass your career aspirations. Being a part of this incredible family is an absolute privilege, one that has filled my life with exposure to the real world and immeasurable blessings."
"I'm thankful for the opportunity to intern with Gordon Food Service. This program has allowed me to better myself and helped me to succeed in the workforce. There are lots of summer opportunities, but this internship was right for me."
“The HBCU Program will help diversify our teams across all divisions. As we plan to expand our workforce in the future, building inclusive teams will play a key role.”
"It has been an educational and rewarding experience to have a partnership with Clark Atlanta University. CAU much like GFS has a strong history and value system that goes back well over 100 years. I have been thoroughly impressed with the quality of individuals that represent their student body and faculty. We have benefited as a Division this year by inviting two students to intern."
"Working at Gordon Food Service has been a great experience, not only has it opened doors for me but has helped me step outside my comfort zone which is a part of my professional development. I look forward to the upcoming years I spend with GFS."
Our Case Study Competition is designed to have college students participate in a business case study competition. This begins with aligning on a unified definition, understanding the basics of involvement as well as the rules of engagements. Each team is responsible for submitting an executive summary and a presentation deck to be reviewed and judged. They are also required to participate in oral presentations of their solutions. Each team will be scored by industry experts on various aspects of their presentations, including their ability to answer questions and the overall quality of the deliverables. Each University Partner has a competition timeline that is specific to their student experience. Visit the Partner page of this site for specific details pertaining to your college or university.
Below are the most commonly asked questions and their answers. If you have additional questions that are not answered below, please use our contact form for additional inquiries. We will respond and post your questions as soon as possible.
The HBCU internship program is intended for the students from our partner HBCU schools. However, any student can apply to our Home Office Internship Program.
Typically the internship takes place between May and July for a 10-week program at our distribution centers.
In addition to the HBCU Summer Internship, Gordon Food Service employees also engage with on-campus activities, career fairs, mentoring programs, among other student activities. Gordon Food Service also hosts annual Case Study Competitions to engage with HBCU students.
Our partner HBCUs are selected primarily based on geographic location and existing relationships.
Contact us! Fill out this form and someone from our team will be in touch. You can also email HBCUconnect@gfs.com
Our 12-week paid Internship Program offers firsthand experience and meaningful projects that have an impact on our business. Throughout the program, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside industry professionals receiving mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities that will expose you to various aspects of our industry. We believe that by fostering a culture of learning, belonging, and innovation, we are able to nurture the next generation of leaders and change-makers. Let us help you shape your future career!
It’s never too early to get started with your career. With this program, you will develop skills, make strong connections and networks, and prepare yourself for a successful career.
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