Deep dive: Internships at On

Welcoming talent in the beginning stages of their career to foster learning, mentorship, development and fresh ideas plays an important role in how On grows as a company. Continue reading to meet three of our interns and learn more on how we approach early career development at On.

To turn our internship program into more than just a direct relationship between interns and managers within their immediate team, in 2024, we restructured our internship program to align all start dates and welcome our interns in cohorts. The new structure allows each wave to join in an even more supported community. While all internships are all unique, the cohort capitalizes on the joint experiences and shared growth opportunities.

All internships last six months with the interns being fully embedded in their teams. The journey starts with a one-week onboarding where they learn more about On. Throughout the entirety of the internship, there are monthly workshops hosted by internal experts which cover topics around self and career development designed to support them in their day-to-day and journey ahead. Plus, there's always room for deeper connections.

At On, we search for teammates who come in with a growth mindset and passion for learning– ready to embrace challenges, collaborate, and step into their Athlete Spirit. The aim is to keep the playing field as inclusive as possible so that we can bring in a range of fresh perspectives– hopefully, teaching us something along the way too.

But you don’t have to take our word for it. Hear it from the source. Ahead of the graduation ceremony for the first cohort of interns under the program and just as we’re onboarding the second group, we caught up with Carlo, Maëlle, and Fleur to hear about their experiences.

Carlo Regalia

Over the last 6 months, Carlo has been part of the Athlete Strategy and Partnership team based in Zürich. Having previous experience working in the sports industry, he highlights how this internship was an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the industry and an opportunity to work in close collaboration with On's athletes.

What is one task or project you will remember and why? The project I worked on the longest, and undoubtedly the most rewarding, was helping organize On’s Athlete Residence for the European Athletics Championships in Rome. As part of this project, we successfully transformed a space into an On Hub, a dedicated facility for our athletes. It was a highly engaging and formative experience that allowed me to refine my managerial and organizational skills, while also giving me the chance to develop valuable relational insights.

How would you describe your experience in one word? Dream. It may sound very cliché considering the brand, but it’s truly the realization of a dream. Working in this team, being closely involved with our athletes, and collaborating with such talented individuals has always been my goal since day one.

What would be your advice for someone starting an internship at On? Be curious and always have a positive attitude. I think these two aspects are essential not only for personal development but also for building strong and authentic relationships within the team and across the company.

Maëlle Walcher

Maëlle did her internship focused on footwear design for tennis. With a background in the luxury industry and small creative studios, she says her internship at On has changed her perspective on creative environments.

What is one task or project you will remember/why? It’s hard to pick just one highlight because I’ve been part of many exciting projects. As design interns, we get the chance to work on a personal project, and when I first heard I could create my own shoe prototype with the help of developers and producers, it was hard to believe. Now, six months later, I’m eagerly waiting for the package to arrive. Getting the opportunity to design my shoe from A to Z with the full backing of the company is definitely a dream come true!

How would you describe your experience in one word? Stimulating! And it wasn’t only thanks to the excellent baristas keeping us energized at the coffee bar at the office in Zürich. Everything here is designed to keep you motivated and fulfilled. The people are incredible—my team was super encouraging, positive, and trustworthy. There are plenty of events and activities (and yes, nice food too). Bref, it was great.

What are you going to take away with you from this experience? I’ve gained so much from this experience, diving deep into the footwear industry, from the technical details to learning the craft. Plus, the workflow model, the culture, and the amazing people I've met all add up to the experience I’ll definitely value in the future. One final lesson this company has taught me is that every idea has value, no matter how junior you are. Everyone’s perspective matters.

Fleur Droog

Fleur just started her internship as part of the Social Media team. Before, she worked at a small start-up and has her own food-focused Instagram, which sparked interest in growing her knowledge in Social Media management. 

What are you most excited about? I am keen to learn from the experts about how social media management works within a larger company and in the sports industry because my background has been in the food and wellness industry. I’m also eager to collaborate with my team and get creative with On’s content. Working in a sportswear company also motivates me to take training more seriously again, and I’m excited to connect with my colleagues through sports. Overall, I am looking forward to learning new things and connecting with new people.

How were your first few days at On? They were wonderful! Everyone is really friendly, and I received a warm welcome from the team. I was a bit worried that I might be thrown straight into the deep end, but they made sure I took the time to learn the ins and outs of On. My manager Joana also ensured that I had a smooth start and could familiarize myself with my department. Not to mention, we had a really fun hiking day – nothing could be more Swiss, I love it!

Can you share some advice for someone thinking of applying? Don’t stress or overthink it. I always believe that what is meant for you will come to you. But a small tip specifically for the On application process: familiarize yourself with the company's Spirits and think about if you relate to them – it truly is a core part of the company.

↘︎ Learn more about our Early Careers programs here.