Doors Intern Spotlight: Sohaib Syed

Our tenth summer of the Doors Internship Program just wrapped up! Through virtual workshops, our interns worked on goal-setting, networking, personal branding, and communication within their fields.

We invited our interns to share their experiences this summer. Meet Sohaib Syed from Houston, Texas. Sohaib is beginning his Master of Science in Supply Chain Management at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida.

What did your internship with Leggett entail? 

During my internship, I learned how procurement processes fit into the company’s supply chain. I better understood how raw materials and component sources are managed and distributed to support production. I worked closely with suppliers and learned how to manage relationships with them. In addition, I gained familiarity with procurement software tools such as Microsoft Dynamics D365. This software helps streamline the procurement process and manage inventory.

What was the most valuable thing you learned during your time at Leggett?

The most valuable things I learned during my internship were project and time management. I learned how to handle and manage multiple projects simultaneously, setting priorities and meeting deadlines along with school. 

What were your goals through your internship?

One of my main goals in my internship was to excel in procurement, sourcing, Concur, or any projects. I wanted to gain hands-on experience, combine it with my theoretical knowledge, and produce results. Another goal of mine was to perform better every single day and become a resource for the company. 

What was your favorite part of your internship at Leggett?

I had two favorites throughout my internship. First was my exposure to supply chain processes when I visited the Carthage branches and saw all the work. Second was the network-building opportunities. Through the Doors program, I got a chance to meet many new interns, some of whom became my friends. I have also built my network with experienced professionals in my field. 

How will you apply your experience?

I will apply all the knowledge and hands-on experience I’ve gained to help the company with procurement projects. In addition, I plan to take on some supply chain management certifications to help the company continue to achieve its objectives.

Please join us in wishing Sohaib well!

Aug 07 2023
By Life@Leggett

How We Give Back

At L&P, we foster a culture of giving and are committed to investing in the communities where we live and work.

Since 2001, L&P has donated more than 10 million dollars to our communities and supported more than 350 organizations. With a core value of putting people first, we prioritize giving with three main goals:

  • Inspiring Our Future. We support programs that are inclusive and create pathways to a better future through education, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs; scholarship programs; technical vocational; college access and career-readiness programs; and community-based arts and music programming.
  • Elevating Our Communities. We give to organizations that strengthen the fabric of our communities, preserve and protect resources, and aid those facing financial hardship and instability, including programs that address homelessness and hunger, support economic mobility, and protect victims of violence.
  • Helping Communities in Crisis. We seek to assist in disaster relief and humanitarian work around the world with financial or in-kind contributions to those in need.

We also see our employees frequently giving their own time and resources to address local needs and build a brighter future for neighborhoods around the world.

Throughout August, we’ll continue to highlight how we give back to our communities. Stay tuned!

Aug 04 2023
By Life@Leggett

The Benefits of an Internship

Internships can be a great way to gain hands-on experience in your field of interest and make industry connections. They can also help you apply what you’ve learned in the classroom to a real-world setting and stand out to potential employers. Here are a few more of the benefits of a Leggett internship:

Exposure to L&P – Leggett is a global manufacturing company with 135 facilities in 18 countries. When you intern at Leggett, you gain insights into different areas of the organization. This exposure helps interns understand the company’s operations and potentially explore future career paths within Leggett.

Hands-on Experience – Doors offer students hands-on opportunities to work in their desired field. You learn how your studies apply to the real world and gain experience that sets you up for future success.

Professional Development – During your internship, you’ll learn how to engage in a professional environment. You’ll hear presentations on networking, goal-setting, how to create compelling presentations, and more.

Mentorship – Throughout your internship, you’ll work with a Leggett mentor who will guide you and help you develop professional skills through hands-on knowledge they’ve developed over years of experience.

Building Career Goals – Through your L&P internship, you learn valuable insight into your career, which helps you refine your interests and make informed decisions to progress toward your goals.

Aug 02 2023
By Life@Leggett

L&P Friendships: Alexa and Kaycia

July 30 is International Day of Friendship—a day to recognize the bonds that support and uplift us. To celebrate, we’re spotlighting some of the great friendships at L&P.

Meet Alexa Driskill, Strategy & Business Intelligence Analyst, and Kaycia Frieden, Internal Audit Project Supervisor! Alexa has been with L&P for 12 years, and Kaycia has been with L&P for eight years.

Alexa and Kaycia

Kaycia and Alexa’s friendship started at L&P:

“You could say it was ‘friendship at first sight,’ but in reality, Alexa only liked me because, at the time, I had red hair and she thought that was cool,” joked Kaycia.

Alexa continued, “I remember going home and telling my husband that we had a new girl in the department with red hair and the longest eyelashes I’d ever seen!”

“We have to credit our other great friend, Cheryl Jones, for putting us together, because we all bonded once I started opening up at work more,” said Kaycia. “We traveled together for Kaycia’s first audits — Seattle, San Luis Potosi, Atlanta, Jacksonville — and it wasn’t long before we were constantly laughing, sharing everything, and I no longer had to describe her to my husband as ‘the new redhead,'” added Alexa.

Alexa and Kaycia shared what they’ve come to admire about each other:

“I have always looked up to Alexa as a bonus older sister, because, well, she is the old one in this friendship, and I love and respect her for so many things,” said Kaycia. “She is intelligent, kind, sassy, and brave—she isn’t afraid to tell me what’s on her mind.”

“She is also a fantastic mother, solid friend, and giver of time and energy. In the last six months, I’ve watched her navigate life in a new way since losing the love of her life, so I would also add ‘strong’ to the list. I wouldn’t be where I am in my career or life without her help, and I am so thankful for a best friend like her.”

Alexa continued, “It’s true—I am the old one in this relationship, but what Kaycia lacks in years, she makes up for in emotional maturity and endless selflessness. She is the friend everyone deserves. She will go out of her way to do anything for anyone, never says no, volunteers her time and money, loves fiercely, and is a wonderful wife and mother.”

“She’s helped me navigate so many obstacles over the years—from job changes to parenting struggles. She always has my back, and it’s become so obvious over the last six months since my husband passed. She lifts me up in my darkest moments and has become so much more than just a work friend.”

We asked Alexa and Kaycia to share how having a good friend at work impacts their jobs:

“Everyone needs someone at work they can trust and who will cheer them on rather than see them as competition,” said Alexa. “Anytime I’m having a bad day, I know Kaycia will listen without judgement and will offer encouragement. Anytime I’m having a good day, she will celebrate with me.”

Kaycia added, “Without work friends, I don’t know where I would be professionally or personally. It’s heartwarming to know I have someone who shares the same core values and lends an ear to chat about work-life balance. If I am feeling overwhelmed, I have her to reach out to, and I know there will be no judgment. I am just so grateful!”

Jul 31 2023
By Life@Leggett

L&P Friendships: Vanessa and Tonya

July 30 is International Day of Friendship—a day to recognize the bonds that support and uplift us. To celebrate, we’re spotlighting some of the great friendships at L&P.

Meet Tonya Cornell and Vanessa Stafford! Tonya has been with L&P for three years and is an Accounts Payable Technician. Vanessa is a Treasury Analyst and has been with L&P for seven and a half years.

Vanessa and Tonya

Tonya and Vanessa became friends at L&P three years ago:

“When I joined L&P, I first worked with Vanessa in Accounts Payable,” said Tonya. “We hit it off immediately, as we were training during March 2020 and the only two people in our department working in the office. Vanessa eventually got a position within Finance and our friendship remained the same. We were even bridesmaids in each other’s weddings in 2021 and 2022!”

When asked what they admire about one another, Vanessa and Tonya shared how they’re always there for each other:

“I admire a lot of things about Tonya!” said Vanessa. “She is not afraid to fail and jumps in 100% when trying new things (like learning the ukulele and growing a small garden on her front porch). She is loyal to her friends and family, even when she is going through tough times herself. She supports them no matter what!”

Tonya added, “Vanessa is a loyal friend who would do absolutely anything to help you out. She is a realist and gives the best advice. I admire her for the mother she is and how she has built a beautiful life for herself. Some of my favorite times with Vanessa are our adventures to Target and to get coffee. I am so thankful for our friendship.”

We asked Tonya and Vanessa to share how having a good friend at work impacts their jobs:

“We think having a good friend at work is vital to having a good work life,” they said. “Having friendships at work keeps you more engaged, gives you a greater sense of wellbeing, helps you produce higher quality work, and allows you to have more fun. We agree with a quote that work friendships ‘have the potential to improve our daily experiences immediately, no matter what we do for a living.'”

Jul 28 2023
By Life@Leggett

Doors Intern Spotlight: Dawson Jeffers

Our tenth summer of the Doors Internship Program is underway! Through virtual workshops, our interns work on goal-setting, networking, personal branding, and communication within their fields.

We invited our interns to share their experiences this summer.

Meet Dawson Jeffers from Troy, Missouri. Dawson is a Junior at Missouri University of Science and Technology (S&T), majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

What does your internship with Leggett entail? 

My internship at Leggett involves a lot of flexibility and problem-solving. I am in the Bedding division at the Idea Center, and I have been fortunate enough to be involved in a wide variety of projects, from product design to industrial engineering. Every day has been different and challenging.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned so far during your time at Leggett?

The most important thing I’ve learned is to communicate effectively with different people. You must communicate differently between Engineers, Project Managers, and Shop Technicians based on their technical understanding and communication styles. I’ve also gained a clearer understanding of what engineering looks like in the professional world. I’ve been tinkering for my entire life but understanding the documentation and workflow of a company like Leggett has helped me see what it takes for a large group of engineers and other professionals to come together and create a quality product.

What are your goals through your internship?

My primary goal this summer is to soak up as much knowledge as possible, while also developing relationships to open doors in the future. I have so much to learn, and many skilled people are here to help me hone my craft.

What has been your favorite part of your internship at Leggett?

The open-minded attitude. If I have an idea, I will not be met with a “this is just the way we do it” mentality. Everyone is open to change and ready to innovate and progress. And if my idea differs from the right one, my team tells me why and the communication channel is very open.

How will you apply your experience this summer as you return for the Fall semester?

I look forward to hitting it hard with new skills, like Excel calculations and Solidworks added to the toolbox. In terms of my career, there have been a lot of skills that I have learned this summer that would usually be in my first three months of full-time work. Having some of that learning curve out of the way will boost my career and allow me to jump right in.

Please join us in wishing Dawson well!

Jul 27 2023
By Life@Leggett

Looking to Give Back: L&P Employees Visit Safe Harbor

Nine L&P employees, representing four of our business units in North Carolina, met in Hickory, NC, to learn about Safe Harbor—a nonprofit organization that provides programs and services to help meet the needs of women and their children.

During a lunch-and-learn session, they learned how Safe Harbor helps women who are struggling with homelessness and substance use disorder.

“We visited several facilities and listened to a young woman share her current journey in recovery from abuse and addiction—it was powerful,” says Samantha Howell, Vice President of Human Resources. “We discovered there are many ways we can support Safe Harbor, and we are looking forward to gathering together to plan our next steps.”

Thank you to our employees for doing great work together and for looking for ways to give back to our communities!

L&P employees pose for a photo in front of Safe Harbor’s Community Center
Jul 25 2023
By Life@Leggett

Doors Intern Spotlight: Nicole Duquet

Our tenth summer of the Doors Internship Program is underway! Through virtual workshops, our interns work on goal-setting, networking, personal branding, and communication within their fields.

We invited our interns to share their experiences this summer.

Meet Nicole Duquet from Yorktown Heights, New York. Nicole is a Senior at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, majoring in Business.

What does your internship with Leggett entail? 

My internship involves conducting comprehensive competitor analysis to identify opportunities and develop data-driven marketing strategies. I am creating a marketing plan to expand the company’s presence through digital marketing initiatives and developing a customer-focused marketing survey.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned so far during your time at Leggett?

During my internship, I had the opportunity to learn about the manufacturing process of Leggett’s flooring division’s products. Understanding the products was essential in figuring out what direction to take with my assignments.

What are your goals through your internship?

My goal for this internship is to learn more about B2B (business-to-business) marketing and social media marketing. I want to create a marketing plan and develop an effective social media strategy to promote Leggett’s flooring products. 

What has been your favorite part of your internship at Leggett?

My favorite part of my internship so far was meeting the team in person in Ft. Worth, TX. I enjoyed talking to each employee about their role in the company and daily responsibilities. I liked connecting with new people and found the career journeys of the employees at Leggett inspiring. 

How will you apply your experience this summer as you return for the Fall semester?

I look forward to applying the experience I gained during my internship to working in teams in the future. I have improved my communication and listening skills by collaborating with various groups and divisions during my internship. This experience will help me facilitate effective collaboration within team projects. 

Please join us in wishing Nicole well!

Jul 24 2023
By Life@Leggett

Celebrating Safety with ECS Employee of the Month Program

Our teams at the California locations of Elite Comfort Solutions (ECS) promote and celebrate safety with an Elite Safety Employee of the Month program.

Employees can nominate their peers who they recognize as safety leaders and who are making a difference at their branches. The managers from the facilities vote for a nominee, and the employee with the highest vote is named the Elite Safety Employee of the Month.

Angel Lagunas, Machine Operator at ECS Commerce, in Commerce, CA, is named Safety Employee of the Month.

“This program is helping employees across the ECS California network to understand the significance of a positive safety culture,” says Hugo Alvarez, Senior EHS Manager. “Recognizing the safety actions of the workforce promotes an autonomous safety culture and sets the example of what safety leaders look like.”

Each Safety Employee of the Month is recognized at a celebration luncheon at their branch, where the employee is given a certificate, a token of appreciation, and the entire branch is presented with a trophy that includes the names of past and present Safety Employees of the Month.

For the first time, the ECS California network plans to have a year-end celebration where they will invite the 2023 winners and name a Safety Employee of the Year.

Congratulations to ECS California and their commitment to prioritizing the safety and care of each other. You are living out our value of putting people first!

Jul 21 2023
By Life@Leggett

Doors Intern Spotlight: Josef Hefele

Our tenth summer of the Doors Internship Program is underway! Through virtual workshops, our interns work on goal-setting, networking, personal branding, and communication within their fields.

We invited our interns to share their experiences this summer.

Meet Josef Hefele from Munich, Germany. Josef is a Senior at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington (UNCW), majoring in Accounting.

Josef is interning at PHC – Wilmington, but had the opportunity to visit Pacoma – Germany, while home for a family wedding.

What does your internship with Leggett entail? 

The internship has exposed me to many different things, from visiting the factories and understanding how hydraulic cylinders are made, which helps to understand the finance part behind it, to interacting with other people within the branch and supporting the finance team with different tasks.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned so far during your time at Leggett?

Having an open mind and being eager to learn are the most important things I have learned. There are so many opportunities within Leggett, making it very easy to enter a different industry or segment while still working for the same company. Being open to new things and challenges can ignite interests you didn’t even know you liked.

What are your goals through your internship?

My main goal is to get familiar with different accounting software and enhance my Excel skills, as these technical skills often fall too short in the classroom. Additionally, I have set a goal always to be approachable for new tasks, so the team can come to me if they need something done.

What has been your favorite part of your internship at Leggett?

The people I work with have been outstanding and my favorite part of this experience. Before starting my internship, I did not know what to expect in the corporate world. Coming to work at Leggett’s Precision Hydraulic Cylinders (PHC) – Wilmington Branch gives you a feeling of being cared for, despite being part of a large corporation.

How will you apply your experience this summer as you return for the Fall semester?

Getting a taste of what it is like in the working world has helped me see the importance of the foundation taught in the classroom. I am sure many fellow students ask themselves why they learn particular things, but having a solid foundation will help them learn more quickly and better understand processes. I will use this internship experience to build an even stronger foundation for the future. 

Please join us in wishing Josef well!

Jul 19 2023
By Life@Leggett
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