College Experiences that Helped an Inside Sales Manager at Integrated DNA Technologies Succeed
To prepare for a career, Integrated DNA Technologies' Austin emphasizes developing a strong "work ethic" through studiousness and time management while balancing extracurriculars. Furthermore, the ability to "build relationships with people that may not run into every single day" through extracurricular activities fosters teamwork and the skill of finding "common ground" with diverse coworkers, which is crucial in any organizational setting.
Work Ethic, Time Management, Teamwork, Communication, Relationship Building
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Austin Jacobs
Inside Sales Manager, North America
Integrated DNA Technologies
University of San Diego
Finance, Marketing
Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical
Sales and Client Management
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient
Video Highlights
1. Building a strong work ethic through studiousness and balancing extracurriculars was crucial.
2. Developing time management skills in college was essential for career success.
3. Extracurricular activities provided opportunities to build relationships with diverse individuals and foster teamwork.
Transcript
What did you do in college to set you up for success in your career?
There are two big things I'd highlight. One is work ethic. I was pretty studious in college, and building a strong work ethic has definitely helped my career and set me apart. This developed through studying and also from managing my time effectively across various extracurriculars.
The time management, paired with that work ethic, I think is really significant. I also think some of the extracurriculars I participated in involved promoting organizations and talking with people I wouldn't always engage with. This helped me build relationships.
That's really important in the work environment because you'll work with colleagues you might not choose as friends, but you need to find common ground. Being able to discover that shared purpose and what you're all working towards is crucial.
The teamwork aspect that came from being in different organizations, finding common ground, is something that can be applied in the workplace. Almost every job involves being on some sort of team or within an organization.
The teamwork element that comes from group projects can be challenging. But it's more about learning how to connect with others. I think college provides a really good opportunity for that. School clubs, in particular, allow you to find that common purpose in a more focused way.