College Experiences That Helped an Account Executive at ZoomInfo Succeed
Trent's experience as a student athlete provided invaluable preparation for a career, instilling "organizational structure" and building a strong network; the rigorous schedule and hard work of football translated to a smoother transition into the professional world, with Trent noting that post-college jobs sometimes feel "a lot easier" than college athletics.
Time Management, Networking, Discipline, Teamwork, Resilience
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Trent Cowan
Account Executive
ZoomInfo
University of Idaho
N/A
Marketing
Technology
Sales and Client Management
Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Student athletes develop strong organizational skills and time management from their demanding schedules, which are highly transferable to professional careers.
2. Networking and building connections are crucial; Trent highlights the invaluable relationships he formed through football, leading to opportunities and collaborations in the tech industry.
3. The rigorous training and commitment required in sports prepare individuals for the challenges and long hours often associated with high-pressure professional roles. It can make the transition to a demanding job feel less daunting
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I think it really goes back to my time as a student athlete, as a football player. I know exactly what I'm doing from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM the next day. It's just organizational structure, kind of what you get in the Army or Navy.
An average day at Idaho, especially in season, involves waking up early for 6:00 AM weights. Then you have class, lunch, maybe another class, followed by meetings, practice, and study hall. After dinner, by 9:00 PM, you're exhausted and ready for bed.
It's a lot, but it sets you up for life after sport, better than anything in the world, I think. On top of that are the connections you make. It's amazing to meet people through football and being a student athlete that I never would have crossed paths with otherwise.
It broadens your connections. For example, I have a friend I played football with who founded an organization in the tech space. They help people, especially minorities, land roles in technology. Kendrick Trotter, a phenomenal human being, started this foundation. It's so cool to meet folks like him who have done great things in our field.
The connections, the organization, and the hard work are significant. Football involves long hours, and sometimes, depending on the role, a job after college can feel easier than what you went through in college.
It's like when you practice for a game; the goal is for practice to be harder than the actual game. You've prepared and practiced so hard that when the game comes, it feels easy. I was a tight end, and it was about 50 snaps.
This experience just prepares you for life after college. If you're not a student athlete, I'd recommend getting involved in organizations to take up your time and set you up for success.
That experience has been so fruitful. I'm still meeting people through football and staying close with my teammates, which has been amazing. I can't say anything more than what I've already said; it's been a great experience.