Eight students from San Jose State University have become the latest to complete the Thompson Global Internship Program (TGIP).
Every summer, Crown welcomes students from the university, the alma mater of Founder and Chairman, Jim Thompson, to embark on an exciting journey aimed at kickstarting their careers.
The TGIP is an eight-week program offering a select group of top-performing business undergraduates from the Lucas College of Business, paid internships across Crown’s global offices.
Students get to work on live corporate projects while being mentored by senior business leaders and gain a variety of skills and knowledge in the process. It is highly sought after among the students and has a competitive selection process.
This year, interns joined staff at our Kuala Lumpur office to work on three key projects. Janet Le, Julia Liu and Yash Gandhi were focused on leveraging customer information to drive growth , using AI to synthesize customer feedback as well as working on enhancing the usage of Crown’s CRM. This team was supported by Norah Franchetti, Group VP of Marketing.
Another team comprising Luke Gillespie, Amy Huang and An Huynh, supported by Martin Cole, Managing Director - Malaysia & Asia and Senior Director of Crown Records Management in Asia, undertook a project to explore new opportunities for our Records Management business, with a focus on digital services and potential prospects. While Michelle Law and Liam Thompson worked on a project related to carbon accounting and sustainability supported by Joy Lam, Group ESG Director.
Magali Delafosse, Crown’s Group VP of HR, believes: “The TGIP is not only a wonderful opportunity for students to gain work experience in an international location but also beneficial for the company. Interns bring a fresh pair of eyes and unbiased creative thinking, helping us to address critical business challenges. In the past, interns’ recommendations have been implemented within the company with some being offered a chance to continue to work with us and bring their ideas to fruition.
“We are proud to be able to offer such a program, which dovetails so nicely with our sustainability work – especially in the areas of giving back and people development.”
Since 2010, Crown has hosted interns at a different office including Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London, Dublin, Milan, Prague, South Africa, and Australia.
Janet Le who is studying Accounting and Finance at the university shared her experience of the program, saying: “It was my first time navigating the corporate environment, and doing so in a different country was a truly unique experience. I was able to expand my horizons and learn new skills. Through our project, I built my knowledge of Generative AI and applied it to Crown’s business needs.
"I also conducted internal interviews to collect information that helped me develop recommendations to increase Crown’s utilization of its Client Relationship Management system. I also celebrated my 21st birthday at Crown and it will always be a memorable one!”
24-year-old Julia Liu who is a marketing graduate at the university, said: “I am deeply grateful to have the chance to embark on this exciting journey. With this being my first time working and living internationally, I have gained countless invaluable experiences both in and out of the office.
“In addition to the experiences I gained in the office, I also gained many new experiences traveling in Malaysia! I had an incredible time exploring the city, visiting different islands, and connecting with nature with my fellow interns.”
Group VP of Marketing at Crown, Norah Franchetti, who was their project leader and mentor, remarked: “This immersive program is more than just an internship; it's a fantastic opportunity for students to apply their academic knowledge to real-world projects in their field of study, collaborating with various teams under the guidance of senior leaders.
“Beyond work, interns get the chance to experience the local culture, adding depth to their professional and personal growth. It was a pleasure to work with my team who impressed me with their dedication, confidence and willingness to learn. I wish them all the very best in their careers.”
Reflecting on the impact of the program over the last decade, Singmay Chou, Director of the Thompson Global Internship Program and Adjunct Professor at Lucas College and Graduate School of Business, SJSU, added: “The Thompson Global Internship Program continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of business leaders. Through hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to diverse international environments, the program equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the corporate world.
“As the interns return to their studies and eventually embark on their career journeys, I am certain the impact of their contributions to Crown and the valuable experiences gained during the program will undoubtedly resonate, setting the stage for their future success.”