College Experiences That Helped a Community Ambassador and Partnerships Manager at Terran Industries Succeed
Mike's college experience, marked by a switch from construction management to exercise science and business, was significantly shaped by their involvement in Sigma Pi fraternity, where "it really did prepare [Mike] to take on just about anything." This experience, including turning around a "failing chapter," proved invaluable in securing Mike's first job and has opened "the door to so many different options," highlighting the unexpected career benefits of extracurricular involvement and community engagement.
Teamwork, Resilience, Overcoming Challenges, Communication, Leadership
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Mike Coletti
Community Ambassador/Partnerships Manager
Terran Industries (Environmental Non-Profit)
Pennsylvania College of Technology, 2015
N/A
Business Management & Admin
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Communication and Marketing
Honors Student, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Build strong bonds and networks through extracurricular activities like fraternities or clubs. Mike's experience leading a struggling fraternity chapter demonstrates the valuable transferable skills gained, such as leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork, which are highly sought after in many careers.
2. Take on diverse roles and responsibilities to develop a broad skillset. Mike's involvement in various aspects of his fraternity highlights the importance of seeking diverse experiences that showcase adaptability and resilience.
3. Engage in community volunteering and organizing. Mike emphasizes the significant but often unquantifiable benefits of volunteering, suggesting it improves one's overall readiness for a wide range of career opportunities.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I came into college with a rigid focus on who I was and where I wanted to end up. I originally went to Penn College for construction management, planning to be a mason and restore old stone churches. I even had the business plan laid out.
My freshman year, I joined the Sigma Pi fraternity. It just happened that I decided to switch majors to exercise science and business, the two-plus-two program. One reason I stayed at Penn College, instead of transferring, was that they offered the major I wanted. My time with the fraternity was also a factor; I had built up a strong bond there.
Through the fraternity, I began to understand what college could really be like. During my undergrad years, I took on almost all of the roles within the organization. Taking on a variety of roles really prepared me to take on just about anything after college.
Years ago, when I interviewed for my first startup in early 2016, I discussed my work as a chapter president. At the time I took it on, it was a failing chapter with only seven guys. If you're not familiar with Greek life, that's a number that should probably lead to immediate shutdown.
We worked through it, and eventually came out on the other side. It was one of the most stressful periods of my life at that time. I was able to use that experience in my interview to land the job. This is not even to mention the connections you typically hear about, but the actual experience you gain in unusual work situations.
Since then, I've looked back on my time with the fraternity and where it's led me. It opened the door to so many different options beyond one specific path. I don't think I'd be in the same place if I hadn't had that experience. I'm really happy I experienced it.
On top of that, any opportunity for volunteering or organizing in your community will help you. I don't know specifically how, but it just does. That's what I would do, and that's what I did.