Ben Smid Brings Business Skills to Gartner

Ben Smid found what he was looking for as a business-minded student at High Point University. He developed his leadership and sales skills and wasted no time before accepting a full-time position with Gartner in Fort Myers, Florida, weeks before graduation.

The finance major and sales minor from Advance, North Carolina, knew early in life that he was interested in business and serving other people. By the time he was 7, he was running his own trash pickup service for elderly people. By age 16, he was operating his first merchandising company, selling sunglasses. These experiences, and many more like them, taught him perseverance, business essentials and a growth mindset.

“When I first visited High Point University, I was incredibly impressed by their academic excellence in the business school, the quality of professors and opportunity for mentorship on a personal level, the unmatched professional opportunities through the corporate connections, and the environment of inspiration on campus,” he said. “This was exactly what I was looking for in a school, and four years later my expectations have been met and exceeded.”

How HPU helped him achieve goals

Once on campus, Smid joined the Professional Selling Club and took advantage of opportunities to serve through Business Fellows. Both developed his skills as a servant leader. Smid also made professional connections that led to internships and his future job.

“High Point University has given me the opportunity, environment and resources necessary to achieve my goals throughout every step of my college journey,” Smid said. “Academically, my professors challenged me and worked with me inside and outside of class to equip me with the knowledge necessary for the business world. This allowed me to grow as an individual, keep a top GPA and receive many academic honors during my time here.”

One impactful faculty connection was Larry Quinn, chair of the Department of Marketing and Sales, director of the Professional Selling Program and a part of HPU’s Access to Innovators Program as the Sales Professional in Residence.

Inside Quinn’s office, there’s a sign that reads, “It’s raining job offers!” That proves to be true for sales majors like Smid.

“Professor Quinn, or Uncle Larry, as many of his students call him, has the biggest heart you have ever seen in a college professor,” said Smid. “From freshman year on he has acted as a mentor, life coach, academic advisor and friend every step of the way. I have spent countless hours in his office talking through which classes to take, which internships and jobs to pursue, and how to lead well as president of the Sales Club. Some of my greatest opportunities and best life advice came from these meetings and I would not be where I am today without the mentorship and guidance he has selflessly given.”

Quinn was quick to credit Smid’s extraordinary leadership and sales abilities. Smid was a two-time winner of the Randy Moser Memorial Speed Selling Competition, where students prepare a two-minute elevator pitch and deliver it to corporate recruiters. Smid also travelled with Quinn and other students in March 2022 to represent HPU in the National Shore Sales Competition in Salisbury, Maryland.

Smid also interned at Verellen Furniture in operations, Techtronic Industries in professional power tool sales and marketing, and with Gartner as an account management intern for technology companies totaling $5 million to $250 million in revenue. Smid’s success with Gartner as an integral part of the team led to an offer of a full-time position.

In May 2023, Smid married his high school sweetheart Allie, who he met through cross-country and track. On Feb. 27, 2024, the couple welcomed a baby boy. The family plans to move in June for his job with Gartner.

“Everyone who knows Ben Smid agrees he is one of a kind,” Quinn said. “A man of high character and personal integrity, he stands out as someone who commits an enormous amount of hard work to everything he undertakes. He has maintained a 4.0 GPA, led the Selling Club as president, maintained a full work schedule outside of classes, accepted a wonderful new position at Gartner Consulting, welcomed a brand-new baby son with his beautiful bride, and is recognized by faculty and administration at this university as a truly extraordinary leader.”

Lessons in leadership

Smid sets clear benchmark goals and communicates his vision clearly, Quinn said.

“When Ben commits to a large group project, he inspires every one of us on the team with his crystal-clear vision, his optimism and thorough planning,” said Quinn. “As president of the Selling Club, Ben led two important and complex events: Our enormously successful Sales Career Fair and our annual Thanksgiving turkey drive to buy, pack and deliver 100 full turkey dinners to poor families in High Point. Each took weeks of planning. Ben set and communicated specific goals for each subgroup, then let them each go to be their best. He worked endlessly to motivate and help drive them to new records of success.”

When praised, Smid deflected all the credit to his teammates, Quinn said. Leading the club polished Smid’s ability to develop critical relationships, both with student members and corporate sponsors.

“Leading the club two years ago as vice president, and this past year as president was an incredible opportunity for which I am very grateful,” Smid said. “This experience allowed me to develop real leadership skills and make a positive impact in the lives of our students and the High Point community.”

HPU embodies excellence and the values of serving others, loving God, family and country, said Smid.

“HPU has instilled a sense of purpose, qualification and direction,” Smid said. “It has taught me to stive for excellence instead of just ‘good enough.’ Most importantly, it has taught me to care more for people around me.”

Smid’s empathy, warmth and listening skills are so evident “everyone he meets comes to appreciate his genuine caring them,” Quinn said. “All feel valued.”

Although Smid feels excited and ready for this next chapter of life, he expects to miss his time at HPU and to make many return visits.