Becoming a better business professional in the Haworth College of Business
Name: Brandon Chidester
Major: Sales and Business Marketing
Class Standing: Junior
Hometown: Allen Park, Michigan
Campus Involvements:
- Alumni Relations Chair of the Sales and Business Marketing Association
- Vice President of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity
Get involved on day one
The Haworth College of Business has offered Brandon Chidester countless opportunities to grow as a business professional. Chidester has taken advantage of the vast business resources offered to students. During his first year, he immediately found ways to get the most out of his experience. He attended interview preparation and resume critique events and sought advice on internships and academics. He also participated in the externship program to gain insight on working in places such as the Hershey Company and the Kellogg Company.
Chidester advises that all incoming business students get involved right away. “To become a great candidate for internships and full-time offers, you need experience and practice. The best way to start practicing is through the many professional development events that are offered by the Haworth College of Business.”
Interning at Thomson Reuters and Experis
Chidester has held two notable internships through Thomson Reuters and Experis. At Thomson Reuters, he was an inside sales representative. During his internship, he worked in four different business units and reached out to clients on behalf of sales representatives to create interest and make appointments. He also had the opportunity to work with different sales representatives during the entire sales cycle and learn from their unique selling styles and tactics.
While at Experis, Chidester teamed with three full-time sales representatives and often worked with very large corporations including Eli Lilly, Bayer and Pfizer. He prospected leads by making cold calls, sending emails and utilizing LinkedIn, and would then pass on qualified leads to generate new business.
Sales and entrepreneurship
The most exciting moment in Chidester’s college career thus far was the opportunity to participate in a competition hosted by the founder of Best Buy, Richard Schulze, and Shark Tank investor Daymond John. He worked with two Western Michigan University engineers who created a product that helps bicyclists by bringing awareness to their blind spot. When they were accepted into the competition for a grand prize of $100,000, they were given a stipend to fly to Minneapolis and pitch their product as a startup company representing Western Michigan University. During this competition, Chidester had the opportunity to network with investors and dozens of student entrepreneurs.
Chidester is looking forward becoming a business owner. “In many ways, sales is very entrepreneurial. If you want to be successful in sales, you have to be hungry for creating new business.” To be successful in sales, you must have communication skills, passion, drive and persistence. To master those skills, Chidester is getting involved in as many activities as he can be and is taking advantage of every resource at the Haworth College of Business.
Planning for the future
Chidester has gained extensive sales experience through his internships and has polished his business skills with his many campus involvements. Upon graduating in spring 2019, he plans to obtain his real estate license and hopes to purchase his first investment property within one year. He will work in sales and invest in property until he is financially able to start his own company.
Until then, he will continue to take full advantage of the resources at the Haworth College of Business. “Whether I am in the final round of interviews for an internship, or I can’t decide which courses I need to take, the Haworth College of Business has guided me every step of the way. No matter the circumstance, there will always be someone to help you become a better business professional.”