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Video Introduction
Major: Finance
Job Title: Enterprise Account Executive
Company: Qualtrics
Company Description: Qualtrics helps organizations better manage the Customer, Employee, Product & Brand Experiences.
Did you have any initial career goals when you entered Isenberg? Were there any key moments or influences (a guest speaker, course, or extracurricular) during your time at Isenberg that changed or confirmed your career goals?
My two initial career goals were: make a lot of money and find a job where I can close deals on a golf course. Joining the sales club really made me realize that both of these goals were possible through a career in sales. I was originally a finance major, but quickly realized I wasn’t interested in the typical working hours of a finance professional. However, the foundational knowledge I gained about finance has been instrumental in helping me better understand how my client’s business operates which enables me to better showcase how my product can support their business.
Can you share a favorite work assignment that could help a student understand more about what you do?
I really enjoy in person customer meetings. I’ll fly out to meet a customer, we’ll walk through how they are using Qualtrics today, I’ll get an understanding of their research initiatives, and then I will share how our newest products can help them solve those initiatives.
Now that you’re in this position, what aspects have surprised you that you didn’t anticipate before starting?
No matter what role you are in, there are always going to be roadblocks preventing you from working to your fullest efficiency. Some people will stop there and wait for an answer to arise, and other people will figure out a way to get what they need quickly. Be the person to figure stuff out.
What inspires you about the work you are doing in your industry?
I feel really good when I’m able to help an organization such as a healthcare institution better manage the experiences of their patients. Technically, I’m just selling surveys and analytics tools, however, through these tools organizations can greatly impact people’s lives.
What are some daily challenges you experience in your role?
When working with other departments, sometimes there is a breakdown in communication, which might result in customers receiving messages from multiple company stakeholders. For example, the renewals team may reach out to a customer prior to asking me if there’s been any ongoing changes with the customer like trying to sell an upgraded package. This emphasizes the importance of collaborating with all departments.
Additionally, when trying to support my sales calls, sometimes it can be difficult to determine the best sales tool to support the sales pitch based on the particular customer.
Is there anything you wish you had done differently while a student at Isenberg?
I wish I started networking earlier. The more conversations you have, the better internships you will get, and the better jobs you will get. It’s that simple!
Networking is extremely important but can be intimidating to undergraduates. What tips do you have for getting started engaging with alum or upperclassmen?
Reach out on LinkedIn and when you do be appreciative of their time. If someone’s helped you, follow up with them after the job interviews (even if you didn’t get the job) to keep them updated and let them know that you are thankful for their time. I often help UMass students through an interview process, but then I never hear from them again. A thank you can go a long way in helping the relationship continue to develop and showing appreciation for their time.
