Here’s a quick glimpse into Johnny’s journey to career success!
Name: Johnny Pohlman, Class of 2027
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
Major: Theater, minors in Media Production and Sales
Internship plans: Johnny Pohlman, Class of 2027, served as a Business Development Representative with Xerox IT Solutions in San Antonio, Texas. Johnny was tasked with increasing outreach goals via cold calls about IT-related services. The team measured success by meetings booked and opportunities created.
How HPU helped you get there:
“HPU has provided consistent support through the Sales Program. The program taught me everything I know about developing resumes, how to deal with the classic ‘tell me about yourself’ question and how to carry myself through the interviewing process. During the internship, a multitude of skills learned in class transferred seamlessly, allowing me to become a top-performing employee. HPU’s Theater Department has boosted my self-confidence on top of this. It has taught me how to handle objections with ease and adapt accordingly without missing a step.”
What life skills did HPU help you develop?:
“HPU has helped me develop my conversational and emotional reading skills that will impact my success for years in the future.”
What values and virtues will you take with you?:
“A value that HPU has helped me develop is truly implementing the ‘Growth’ Mindset, meaning to overcome challenges with an open mind.”
Most impactful mentor at HPU:
“My most impactful mentor at HPU has been Larry Quinn, professor of the practice of sales. He single-handedly is the reason I am a sales minor. He understood my background as a strength and knew how to use theater as my selling point. We have had countless discussions outside of class, which have furthered my experience more than any class could.”
Most impactful moment at HPU:
“My most impactful moment at HPU was when I first went to the Sales Career Fair. I had no intention of going in the first place, but James Chenier, interim chair and professor of the practice of sales, convinced our class of the benefits of this experience. I had no prior experience in this environment, so I said, ‘why not?’ Upon arriving, I realized I had all of the tools needed to succeed here. I spoke confidently, had researched each company and brought thought-provoking questions to the professionals, which turned into my own personal success. This moment means so much to me because it was a testament to the help gained from HPU and how it truly changed my life.”
Advice for underclassmen:
“My advice is to get involved and meet with your mentors. There is so much experiential learning that happens outside of the classroom that makes HPU so special. The faculty are all truly a delight and know that whatever background you come from, there is always a way to fit it all into your life’s narrative.”
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