Alumni Spotlight: Chester Oates

Chester Oates graduated from the College of Business in 2016. NetApp immediately hired him. Below, Oates shares his thoughts on how the COB Career Center helped him land the NetApp job.

What do you do for NetApp and its customers?
At NetApp, I’m an engineer for an internal program that secures customer data. If the customer program malfunctions, or if there are any questions, I’m there to support them and get things up and running again.

How did the College’s Career Center get you ready for your first job out of college?
The College’s Career Center helped me get ready by going over a technique that I still use today.  The STAR technique, which Lee Brown covered with me, has been beneficial in so many ways throughout my time here at NetApp.  Not only did I use it to answer questions in my interview, but I also use it in my day-to-day activities to solve issues.

Why would you recommend Employer in the Foyer to College of Business students? What would they be missing out by not participating?
I would recommend the College of Business’ Employer in the Foyer because it led directly to my full-time job at NetApp.  Mid-November of last year, I went to an Employer in the Foyer event that NetApp attended. I was then hired that following December.  Without Employer in the Foyer, I wouldn’t be at my desk right now.  Students are literally missing out on life-changing opportunities by not participating.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I have my commercial driver’s license thanks to ECU.  During my time there, I was an employee for ECU transit and became certified to operate commercial vehicles that carry passengers.

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