Six former students of the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University recently participated in the Industrial Distribution Program’s ‘Grad Forum’ during the Sales Engineering class (IDIS 330). The former students comprised a panel and interacted with both sections of the class.
The former students included: Larry Alexander (vice president of national accounts at McKesson); B.J. Tietze (sales manager at West & Associates); Natalie Boyd (supply chain analyst at Distribution NOW); Hannah Aurich (inside sales at Hydraquip Distribution); Zac Henderson (sales manager at KWI Production Equipment); and Lauren English (procurement manager at ExxonMobil).
The panel members interacted with students, explained their career paths since graduation and explained their responsibilities in their current positions. Panel members answered questions from the students on resumes, interviewing, what they look for in recruits, school to work transition, personal finances, how to better prepare for the workplace and challenges faced in the workplace.
“This class session constituted an experiential learning experience in which students could get answers to their questions from former students who have a vested interest in the Industrial Distribution Program and who are not far removed from being in the position of the students who were asking the questions,” said Dr. Norm Clark, senior lecturer in the department and course instructor.