Counselor Top 40 distributor Proforma (asi/300094) just completed its largest summer internship program yet.

This year’s cohort was made up of 22 college students and recent graduates who completed paid internships within Proforma’s network designed to offer hands-on experience, mentorship and career-building opportunities.

The program has been a part of Proforma’s workforce development efforts for more than 15 years but saw significant growth in the last five, the company said. Over 18% of the company’s current workforce started as interns, according to Proforma Human Resources Director Kathy Mayo.

“Our internship program is more than a talent pipeline – it’s a reflection of who we are as a company,” Mayo said. “We care deeply about our interns as individuals and invest in their long-term success.”

Proforma (asi/300094) hired 22 interns this summer, its largest cohort in the 15 years it’s been running the program.

The distributor partners with universities in Florida, including the University of South Florida, Full Sail University and Keiser University, through on-campus events aimed at recruiting and connecting with students in areas such as technology, marketing, logistics and business development.

Throughout the summer, interns work on assignments aligned with their academic backgrounds and engage with activities like team picnics, yoga sessions and lunch-and-learns with executive leadership.

“Interning with Proforma has been an amazing opportunity,” said Jake Vanderhoof, rising senior at Calvin University and MarTech intern at Proforma. “I’ve been able to apply skills I’ve learned in my college classes to real-world projects, but what’s really stood out is how this experience opened my eyes to the vast print and promotional products industry – something I knew little about before. The opportunity to make an impact, the mentorship I’ve received, and the connections I’ve formed have all been incredibly rewarding and influential as I prepare for my future career.”

Michael La Plante, Proforma’s vice president of technology, serves on Full Sail University’s program advisory committee and helps shape curricula in areas like software development, cybersecurity and computer science. He engages with students through Slack channels, java jam sessions, mock interviews and classroom presentations, and said the best investment the company can make in technology is in the next generation who will drive it forward.

“By aligning with student learning and offering real-world mentorship, we’re not only shaping future careers – we’re building the next generation of innovation leaders,” he said.

Proforma ranked fourth on Counselor’s most recent list of top distributors, with 2024 North American promotional products revenue of $662 million.