What was your major/minor and when did you graduate?
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Business Administration; Class of 2015.
- What is your current position (title, company, location)? Can you describe a typical day?
I am the Marketing Operations Specialist within the Business Development team for Selex Galileo Inc (SGI), an aerospace and defense company in Crystal City, Arlington VA. A typical day in the office starts at 8:30 AM checking email and responding to any of our UK and Italian counterparts since their business day is near ending. That is followed with creating, sending, executing, and filing unique non-disclosure agreements that allow the team to share and receive proprietary information with other companies, safely. Most days I will also address forecast changes to the Business Development’s integrated business plan managed via an excel sheet described as bottomless. An analysis of all the changes is then provided to the directors afterward than includes reports and graphs to help visualize it. I also help the Director of Communications with internal marketing and tradeshow management which takes up a good chunk of time.
Traveling for those tradeshows, product demos, and various meetings are also scattered throughout the calendar. One day I can be in Los Angeles for a meeting to discuss the 5-year forecast/1-year pipeline, the next day I could be in the desert with the U.S. Military demoing an ultra-long-range (ULR) thermal camera with an Xbox remote (video games paid off), followed with traveling to other cities… standing at the company’s booth for tradeshows all day welcoming guests and giving product pitches. Tradeshow days are the longest days.
- How did your major prepare you for your current job?
Fundamentals in business communication, analytical and technical skills from multiple business classes, and working with various personalities and minds throughout my four years at UMW allow me to adapt to all environments and situations work puts me through.
- How did you become interested in your field?
My dad was in the U.S. Navy for 26 years working in Electronic Warfare with Cryptology. I now work for a defense company that sells Electronic Warfare equipment to the U.S. Military. I guess what goes around, comes around.
- What’s the best career advice you ever received?
Always keep your résumé updated; if a better opportunity comes around tomorrow, you need to be ready tomorrow. Even if you think you’re current job is your dream job with a bright future, there is always better with a brighter forthcoming.
- Was there a professor, advisor, or fellow student who made an impression on you or helped you when you were at UMW?
This is difficult because I am not mentioning 200 or so people… Shout out to Professor Ken Machande, your professionalism combined with your sense of humor makes you a pleasure to be around.
- What’s your fondest memory of UMW?
Way too many fond memories to have one favorite but to be surrounded by some of your best friends on a daily basis… It does not get better than that.
- Are there any special accomplishments you’ve achieved after college that you’d like to share?
I managed to accidentally delete the company’s website while updating it, including the backup files on the first day of my first job without getting fired. I was also fortunate enough to help said company build and become a $1,000,000 in annual revenue company while heading their marketing department. It was a wild ride and would recommend everyone work for a startup at one point during their career if possible. The startup world was an amazing learning experience.
- How would your family or friends describe you in seven words or less?
A man with ambition and some luck.
- In one sentence, what advice would you give current business students?
Make a plan for every goal you have or it’s not considered a goal.
