Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Strategic Planners at Monster Energy
Monster Energy offers entry-level frontline sales positions as a common route to advancement, with many leaders having started in such roles and working their way up, as Blake's boss did, "starting on a Coca-Cola truck." Alternatively, a strong analytical background from undergraduate degrees in engineering, accounting, economics, or business can provide a pathway to strategic planning roles, although Blake's own path was less typical, emphasizing the value of operational experience before moving into strategy.
Entry-Level Positions, Strategic Planning, CPG Industry, Data Analysis, Business Strategy
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Blake Britten
Head of Strategic Planning
Monster Energy Company
University of Michigan, 2006
UCLA Anderson, MBA
Engineering - Industrial
Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Food, Beverages & Alcohol
Business Strategy
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Entry-level positions in the beverage industry often start in frontline sales, providing valuable experience and a potential path to advancement within the company.
2. A background in engineering, accounting, economics, or business can be beneficial for pursuing a career in strategic planning, particularly the ability to analyze data and develop actionable strategies.
3. While consulting can be a direct route to strategy, industry experience first can provide a deeper understanding of business operations and improve one's ability to develop and implement effective strategies.
Transcript
What entry-level positions in this field might an undergraduate college student consider pursuing?
I'm going to take this and try to get into the CPG industry, specifically at Monster. That's one option.
If you want to get into strategy, I'm in a corporate strategy role. I'd say I'm a bit of a unicorn at Monster, and the path I took to get here was heavily influenced by COVID and a few things outside of my control.
When you look at the demographics and experience levels at Monster, there are very few people with MBAs or my analytical background. Most people who have come up through the company started as frontline salespeople. They really learned the day-to-day business because, at the end of the day, we are a beverage company. We need to execute store by store.
There's a strong appreciation for success that comes from starting people in entry-level frontline roles and allowing those who thrive to graduate up through the organization over time. That's one path. My direct boss, for example, started on a Coca-Cola truck and worked her way up to leading a large strategy organization.
The beverage industry, and Monster specifically, is a little unique in that regard. My pathway was very different. If you want to get into strategy, an engineering undergraduate degree was fantastic preparation. It demonstrated to hiring managers that I have analytical skills and can crunch numbers.
Being comfortable and familiar with numbers is key to success in the strategy space. Think about the different degrees that can get you there, anything from engineering, accounting, or economics to a business degree.
There have been a few different ways to go from there. Some people jump directly into consulting straight out of undergraduate studies. I chose not to go that route; I went into industry first and then into consulting.
I believe that allowed me to be a much better consultant because I had an appreciation for how a business actually runs. The best strategy in the world is useless if it can't be executed, implemented, and if its value can't be realized.
My background is a little unique, starting with an engineering degree and then in operations before moving into a strategic role. This has been a wonderful foundation. It allows me to develop actionable strategies and communicate them effectively with stakeholders.
If you want a similar career path, I highly encourage you to consider a route like mine. It's done great things for my career.