Name: Drew Staudt
Majors: Agricultural Business and International Agriculture
Year: Junior
Hometown/State: Charles City, Iowa
Company/Organization: JCB North America
Title: Inside Sales Intern
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Describe your internship responsibilities:
My primary responsibilities during my internship were speaking with potential customers to determine their equipment needs for their individual operation and communicating those needs with their local dealers to create sales. Along with my primary role, I also had the opportunity to work on other projects that allowed me to travel out of state to meet with customers and give back to local communities.
What did you enjoy most about this internship?
My most enjoyable task during this internship was being able to see a customer that I first contacted follow through and purchase a piece of equipment. My role at JCB provided me with a huge responsibility of serving in a sales role and communicating with customers to discover their needs. Being able to be the first point of contact for a customer and following through to a sale was a neat experience and taught me a lot about customer relationships and the sales process.
How has this experience impacted your future career plans?
This internship has helped provide me with insight on different options within the equipment industry. One of my favorite parts about working at JCB was seeing how many different options there are within the company. From agriculture to construction lines, and sales to finance, there is no shortage of opportunities in the company and industry. Working at JCB taught me so much about the equipment industry and opportunities within that will help me as I continue to progress in my professional experiences.
What resources did you utilize to obtain this internship?
To get this internship I utilized Mike Gaul at the career services office and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences career fair. The resources that the career services office provides are second-to-none and the reason that I was able to secure this internship. I was able to learn about this position through the career services office and then speak with JCB at the career fair and that is what made this last summer possible for me.
What advice would you offer to other students seeking similar internships?
My advice is to do some research and find what you want to do, study the specific job and the company, and be yourself. One of the biggest lessons I learned last summer, especially in my role, is that customers want to talk to another person that is just like them. If you can find out exactly what you want to do and be yourself within your position, it will take you a long way in the future.