After years of textbooks, theories, and classes, many undergraduates and graduates are looking forward to starting their new careers with the benefit of a truly meaningful intern experience.  A broad-based and challenging Intern position dramatically enhances their resume and serves as a no-nonsense stepping stone into the real-life business world.

Trade Network, Inc. is a rapidly growing retail commercial trade exchange (business-to-business bartering) with offices in mid and west Michigan.  We work exclusively with business owners who employ our services to trade or partner for literally thousands of different products and services.

Our company Allows trading business owners to:

Conserve their cash… by using trade credits instead of cash to purchase from over 1200 other local members and form other reciprocating trade exchanges.

Increase their market share... by gaining new customers not otherwise possible.

Cut costs… of employee benefits, overhead, advertising, bank loans, receivables collection, etc.

Convert excess tough-to-move inventory… into needed goods and services.

How to Get Started
simply contact either our Lansing or Grand Rapids office.  We will mail an application and a literature package to precede and interview. Both our company and our interns invest time and energy to make our internship a win-win event, so a strong ‘matching of needs’ is important.

Since our inception in 1991, our company has successfully worked with Interns who have used their interpersonal communication skills and business common sense to achieve success as Trade Network, Inc. Marketing Brokers.  They may also occasionally work with Charity Network (our division working with non-profits).

Marketing Broker
Presentation of trade membership options to business owners seeking cash saving and growth solutions in a very competitive and uncertain marketplace; brokering (or ‘trade making’) the trade transactions between existing accounts, referral prospecting, phone scheduling, and customer services.  Our office appointment scheduler works with our interns on a regular basis.

Automobile
Exclusive use of automobile would be necessary for field work.

Internship Format
Daily record sheets are made available to the sponsoring college over the course duration (usually semester in length).  Our internship format has proved to be highly compatible with the experiential learning goals of our academic ‘partners.’

Economic Issue
In an uncertain/recessionary economy, trade exchanges often gain new vitality since business must seek alternative methods to save dwindling cash reserves and shrinking customer bases.  Unlike the printing presses and ‘feel-good’ vibes that back up the U.S. dollar, our ‘trade dollar’ is backed by actual payables and receivables of identifiable business owners.

Traits of successful Interns

• The ‘hard-nosed’ work ethic displayed by entrepreneurs many of Interns plan to own their own business sooner than later).
• Strong study skills of written and oral information.
• Desire to learn real world skills from independent business owners (the real ‘teachers’ in the program).
• Ability to work closely with their campus internship coordinator and the Trade network, Inc. office and field staff.

Julia Schadenhauffen,
Grand Valley State University
My work experience as a Marketing Broker has been truly rewarding and challenging.  I was able to better identify interest’s pertaining to my career and obtain insight for direction with my career planning.  I strongly encourage students to seek opportunities with Trade Network, Inc. in order to infinitely expand their work experience and knowledge for future success.  Their internship program enables your professionals to challenge their work ethics, skills, and professionalism within a diversified work force.

Ellen Ninku
Central Michigan University
I was given the opportunity to work in the field with a variety of business owners in multiple situations.  This allowed me to improve my speaking skills and personal confidence, along with gaining networking opportunities.  Thanks to all the members, I’ve gained the knowledge and experience by working in the field with people that are part of a growing organization.

Liang Zhang
Michigan State University
I’ve learned a great deal about what it takes to make it in the real world, especially for business.  This experience has boosted my confidence as well as added to my own personal experience with working in the business world.

Brian Blodgett
Grand Valley State University
Interning at Trade Network, Inc. was a highly rewarding experience.  Although challenging at times, the skills I’ve gained from the internship are second-to-none.  A lot of internships give you the position of office gopher, but where’s the learning in that?  If the idea of business-to-business bartering sounds interesting to you, and you are looking to beef up your set of relevant real-world skills, fill out an application and send it in to us.  Trust me; it’s worth your time.

Gary Kay,  President

A committed and active entrepreneurial advocate and an MBA graduate of Michigan State University, he has worked with Interns from many Michigan colleges to provide the ‘willing-and-able-to-learn’ business student with learning and earning experiences second to none.

Bob Glees, Consultant / Internship Coordinator

Bob joined the forces with us after a career in state government where he served in a variety of high-level executive capacities.  He quickly developed and appreciation for the no-brainer logic of trading and the opportunity to become part of our team.  Interns always benefit from Bob’s experience and ‘stick-with-the-basics style’ as they work with them during their time at TN