College Experiences That Helped a Partnerships Manager at Backyard Ventures Succeed
Andrew, a Partnerships Manager, credits college success to both honing "super transferable skills" like research and writing through essay-writing, and building a wide network by "meeting as many new people as possible" and becoming comfortable in diverse social settings. This approach proved invaluable for a career in sales, emphasizing the importance of both strong communication skills and interpersonal abilities.
Communication, Problem-solving, Networking, Essay Writing, Social Skills
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Andrew Parker
Partnerships Manager
Backyard Ventures
UC Santa Barbara
n/a
Humanities, Political Science, American Studies
Arts, Entertainment & Media, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Sales and Client Management
First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Develop strong writing and communication skills through essay writing and research. These are transferable skills applicable to sales and various professional settings.
2. Build a wide network of contacts by engaging with diverse groups of people. Comfort in social settings and relating to different individuals is valuable in professional life.
3. Actively participate in social activities and build friendships with people from diverse backgrounds during college. This helps develop crucial interpersonal skills relevant to professional success
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I think there are two parts to my answer, one a little more serious and one a little less serious.
On the more serious side, writing a ton of essays provided many applicable skills. Researching, problem-solving, and being able to write and communicate well are all transferable skills to sales in general.
On a more fun note, getting out and meeting as many new people as possible has been valuable. Maintaining and building friendships with all sorts of different people and getting comfortable in social settings is also very helpful.
It's something I really tried to do a lot in college. Being able to relate to different types of people is super helpful in everything we do. College is a great opportunity to do this, especially when you have the time and are surrounded by so many different people.