Apple is listed as the world’s most valuable tech brand, according to the World Tech Giants. The brand has an estimated value of $352 billion with brands like Microsoft and Google trailing closely behind. In the fourth-quarter fiscal-year alone, the brand managed to generate $64.6 billion.
Meche Leflore, a third-year student majoring in journalism at Florida A&M, works for this thriving company. Apple employs Leflore as an apple care support college adviser. This position allows her to work from the comfort of her home. She is required to provide customer service, troubles-hooting and technical support to Apple customers by phone, chat or email.
“This program has taught me a lot about customer service skills, how to talk to people, and how people talk to me as a customer service representative. This job has definitely helped me with my career field. In journalism, you learn how to talk to people and conduct interviews. With the company even though it is with phones, you are still learning how to communicate with different types of people,” Leflore said.
The program was launched this year and gives an opportunity for employment to students attending participating colleges and universities. The company works with students’ class schedules to customize their own work schedule around their classes.
The at-home position requires employees to go through a virtual nine-week training led by an instructor to teach them how to navigate different Apple softwares. Employees are also required to learn about the latest products Apple offers to their customers. Apple provides the technology for advisers to complete their work with an iMac and headset.
While students like Leflore heard about the program through word of mouth, Brandi Lee, a third-year student majoring in pre-physical therapy, found the position listed on Indeed. Lee said the most beneficial part of the program is being able to work at home during the ongoing pandemic.
“I am allowed to be at home, and not have to go anywhere. Since COVID happened I don’t really go anywhere and all of my classes are online, so it works out,” Lee said.
The Apple Care Support program has a duration of one year once an applicant’s recruitment and training process is over. To qualify for the position, students must be attending a participating college or university and enrolled in at least one course with a minimum GPA of 2.7.