How Identity Has Influenced an Account Executive at ZoomInfo's Career
Trent's experience as a student athlete, playing football "from nine to 23," profoundly shaped their career, highlighting the challenge of transitioning from a significant identity as an athlete to a professional role. The competitive drive honed through sports translates into their current career, finding new outlets like golf while maintaining connections with former teammates, proving a strong background for success in sales.
Overcoming Challenges, Resilience, Teamwork, Networking, Competitiveness
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. The transition from being a student athlete to a career professional can be challenging, requiring self-discovery and finding ways to channel competitiveness.
2. Networking and maintaining connections with former teammates and peers are valuable for support and mentorship.
3. Employers often value the skills and experience of student-athletes, recognizing their potential in competitive sales roles because of their learned discipline and time management skills.
Transcript
As a student athlete, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
That's a really good question. It goes back to what we've talked about regarding the connections you've made, the people, and the friendships.
I think the hardest thing I went through was when I finished playing football. I played multiple sports in high school and then was a football player at the University of Idaho. I played football from age nine to 23, so it was a huge part of my life, and then it was over.
You have a bit of your identity wrapped up in being a football player. Then the whistle blows, you step off the field, and you're not a football player anymore. You're kind of figuring out who you are.
That's where you can talk to former student-athletes and teammates. You find things that help you outside of football and work. For example, I'm a very competitive person, so I'm trying to get a lot better at golf, which I love to play.
That's how I stay competitive because it's tough. Unlike pick-up basketball or football games, golf is just me. If I hit a bad shot, I can only blame myself. If I have a good shot, it's all on me.
I think a lot of former student-athletes try to find something to fill that competitiveness, that void left when they're done with football. One way to do it is golf, and the nice thing is you can play it until you're 90.
I also stay in touch with my teammates from the University of Idaho through a group chat.
If you are a student-athlete looking to get into sales, it's a great place to start. Organizations see that, and some of their best performers are student-athletes. They've learned so much from their student-athlete experience, and it resonates well into a sales role and career.