CSL Stories

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Meet Simone Caron-Vera! She is a Fall 2014 graduate moving her way up in the world of Category Management with partner company PepsiCo. Read on to learn more about Simone!

What did you study at DePaul?

I had a major in Marketing, with a concentration in Sales Leadership (focusing on Category Management).

What internships did you have during college?

I was excited to land an internship with PepsiCo between my junior and senior year at DePaul.

Please tell us about your career path post-graduation. What is is your current job title?

I've moved up into my second role at PepsiCo (since becoming full time). I am currently an Internal Category Manager on the Strategic Insights Team. Excellent opportunities to develop and grow at PepsiCo.

What advice do you have for DePaul students in choosing/interviewing for internships?

Research the company - make sure they align to your values. Be yourself and have fun.

How did Sales Leadership courses prepare you for your career?

They got me thinking in the right way. The best thing the program gave me were the connections to different companies that helped me start my career.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?

Be yourself, everyone else is taken.

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Meet Eric Baze! He is graduating in Spring 2018, and secured a Category Management internship for Summer 17 with CSL corporate partner PepsiCo.

What skills are you looking to gain from this experience?

A deeper understanding of the functions of sales as they relate to a large business. Also to continue to grow my skills, network, and experience in marketing and sales.

What steps did you take to set yourself up for success and to receive this offer?

I started talking with other students with Marketing majors. Then dove deeper into talking to students who were part of the Center for Sales Leadership. Finally I ended up in MaryAnn's office and she helped me get my foot in the door, giving me tips on my application and preparing me to interview with PepsiCo.

What word of advice would you give to current students or incoming students in Sales Leadership?

Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone! Everyone is there to help you succeed and you never know who might be that one person that could help you reach the goal you are tying to accomplish. Lastly be sure to look at many different opportunities because the one you didn't necessarily want could be the one that you really need.

Can you name any professors that made an impact on you or your career path? What word would you use to describe them?

Clancy Ryan because he is extremely passionate about the sales program and the work it does to support non-for-profits!

What is one Sales and Leadership class you would recommend future students to take?

377 especially if you want to go into non-for-profit like myself.

What skills have you learned because of Sales Leadership classes?

I have learned from my sales classes that sales isn't this boring or manipulative career. Rather it is about connecting with people and learning how to really sell yourself and your skills.

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Meet Anne Kennedy! She is a CSL alum who graduated in Fall 2016 with a focus on Category Management. Read on to learn more about Anne!

What internships did you have during college?

Campbell Soup Company & Luxury Garage Sale

Please tell us about your career path post-graduation. What is is your current job title?

I was fortunate to hop right into the workforce upon graduation at Walgreens as a Space Management Analyst for their Hair Care Department.

What advice do you have for DePaul students in choosing/interviewing for internships?

Don't be afraid to move cities- you'll learn a lot about yourself. Pick a company you believe you can grow within.

If you had a minor/concentration or took classes within the Sales Leadership program, how did they prepare you for your career?

MKT 377 with Clancy taught me how to market myself and really be a go-getter. All of the JBP's (joint business planning) within the Cat Man program have excelled me to the position I am at today. Without the incredible teachers such as Geoff, always pushing and motivating me, I don't think I would be the person I am today.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?

Ask your future employer what you need to do to work for them. Don't be afraid to ask the hard questions

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Meet Michael Condes! He is graduating in Fall 2017, and just landed a role with C.H. Robinson as a Sales Intern for Summer 2017. Read on to learn more about Michael!

Where will you be working/interning, the title of your position and your start date?

C.H. Robinson - Sales Intern - June 2017

What skills are you looking to gain from this experience?

Listening skills. I'll never have a problem talking, but listening for the right words can be tricky. I'd like to become an exemplary listener.

What steps did you take to set yourself up for success and to receive this offer?

Tireless, relentless networking. If you haven't had a week where you wear a suit 5 days straight, and shake about 100 hands, you're missing meaningful opportunities.

What word of advice would you give to current students or incoming students in Sales Leadership?

Be nice, work hard. Simple as that. Also, utilize all the resources of the Sales Leadership Center! They're fantastic, and there are plenty!

Can you name any professors that made an impact on you or your career path? What word would you use to describe them?

Geoff Nyheim. A word? Inspirational.

What is one Sales and Leadership class you would recommend future students to take?

Just one? I loved MKT 378, Sales Strategy and Technology. Excellent class!

What skills have you learned because of Sales Leadership classes?

To be bold, to be fearless. Go after what you desire, and don't be afraid to fail. Not all things happen at the right time, but all things happen for the right reason.

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Meet Selena D'Agostino! She is graduating in Spring 2018, and just landed an internship with Wrigley for Summer 2017. Read on to learn more about Selena!

Where will you be working/interning, the title of your position and your start date:

I will be working with Wrigley this summer as a category management intern.

What skills are you looking to gain from this experience?

I hope to gain real work experience and understand the more in depth process of category management.

What steps did you take to set yourself up for success and to receive this offer?

I went to the center of Sales Leadership office where I spoke to MaryAnn Gibney. She was extremely helpful in preparing me for the internship fair such as reviewing my resume, going over interview questions, and researching companies that would fit my major. I also reached out to students who have previously interned at Wrigley to gain a better understanding of what the internship would entail and how I could be of use to the company.

What word of advice would you give to current students or incoming students in Sales Leadership?

My advice would be to go to the center of Sales Leadership and talk to Maryann Gibney. I would also suggest going to the Internship Fair and speaking with as many companies as possible. My last advice is to get to know your classmates to make connections, because they may know of opportunities available in your field.

Which professors made an impact on you or your career path? What word would you use to describe them?

Joel Whalen was an amazing professor who talk us how to conduct ourselves in a business setting. Stephanie Howell helped our class to gain the confidence to speak in front of in an audience. She was encouraging and made the most insecure feel empowered. Geoff Nyheim was never my professor, but he helped me feel comfortable going to the internship fairs and introduced me to companies.

What is Sales and Leadership class you would recommend future students to take?

MKT 376 with Clancy- extremely hands on class that taught me a lot about sales basics. Taught me to be more confident in the classroom and beyond!

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Meet Jake Boria! He is a Spring 2017 graduate, with previous internship experience at 3M- currently interning for Colgate Palmolive! Read on to learn more:

Where will you be working/interning, the title of your position and your start date?

I am currently interning at Colgate Palmolive as a Customer Development Intern.

What skills are you looking to gain from this experience?

I am looking to get more comfortable with numbers, and be able to analyze trends using new platforms and softwares. On top of that, I hope to get a better feel for the companies brands and culture.

What steps did you take to set yourself up for success and to receive this offer?

First thing first, it was vital for me to get involved within the program and get familiar with the faculty and staff. Each and everyone person in the CSL community is eager to help and assist you in any way.

What word of advice would you give to current students or incoming students in Sales Leadership?

Never stop pushing yourself. Failing and putting yourself in uncomfortable situations will ultimately make you a better student, employee, and person!

Can you name any professors that made an impact on you or your career path? What word would you use to describe them?

Geoff Nyheim is one that quickly comes to mind. His knowledge of the industry, and passion to teach reflects through his courses and teaching methods. Although his class was the hardest I've ever taken, it by far was the most rewarding.

What is one Sales and Leadership class you would recommend future students to take?

Geoff's Sales Analytics!

What skills have you learned because of Sales Leadership classes?

I have learned to be resourceful, and to always take advantages of opportunities and resources around you.

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Meet Semir Delic! He is a CSL Alum who graduated in Spring 2011 with a focus on sales. Read on to meet Semir!

What was your major/minor?

Major in Management with a minor in Sales Leadership

What internships did you have during college?

Full time job at Bank of America, also had an internship at The Palmer House Hotel.

Please tell us about your career path post-graduation.

Started as Sales Associate with 3M Company right after DePaul, and am currently an Account Manager (Converter Markets Specialists)

What advice do you have for DePaul students in choosing/interviewing for internships?

Network, Network and Network some more. Practice, Practice and Practice some more.

How did the took classes within the Sales Leadership program prepare you for your career?

The Sales Leadership program prepared me for a successful career in sales, marketing and management in more ways then I could have imagined. For example, everything that I learned in MKT377 I was able to apply on day one with 3M Company.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?

1. There is only one of you in this world, your name represents you and it is up to you weather you will make your name shine or not. 2. Do what you say and say what you do. Both simple, but powerful!

Meet AnneMarie Kouba! She is a Spring 2014 graduate who studied Marketing with a concentration in Sales Leadership (focusing on Category Management). Read on to learn about AnneMarie's career path at Miller Coors!

What internships did you have during college?

I was a marketing intern at MTV/Viacom Networks, and I landed a sales/category management internship at MillerCoors

Please tell us about your career path post-graduation. What is is your current job title?

Space Analyst; MillerCoors

What advice do you have for DePaul students in choosing/interviewing for internships?

Start as early as possible! Getting experience at other internships earlier in college may help you land that dream internship senior year.

If you had a minor/concentration or took classes within the Sales Leadership program, how did they prepare you for your career?

I went through the Sales Leadership program concentrating specifically in Category Management. These classes gave me the opportunity to work on case studies with some of the leading companies in the CatMan field. It was through this program that I landed my Category Management internship at MillerCoors in which I received a job offer before graduating. I now work in Space Planning at Miller and the space and retail experience I received at DePaul gave me a leg up when I stated my career-- I was able to skip right into our company's advanced space planning classes and I had class experience working with Nielsen AOD before anyone in our company had even transferred over to the new platform.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?

Learn everything you can in excel! -I'm sure college me scoffed at this but getting good at excel will make life after college a million times easier. It will also set you apart and could be the deciding factor between you and another job candidate!