April 4, 2019
Student Spotlight- Russell Rhodes
Kinston native Russell Rhodes is a Management/Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management major who will begin a new job after graduation in May with Coleman Research Group’s new office in Raleigh, NC. He will be employed as a Client Management Analyst in the company’s Management Consulting division. We asked Russell to share his job hunt story.
Where did you hear about the job?
I received an email from College of Business Career Center about an upcoming Employer in the Foyer. I saw Coleman Research Group as one of the attendees and, since I had never seen them present on campus, decided to do some research. I discovered Coleman’s function as an Expert Network Provider and became interested because of the span of their operations and their interesting projects. I visited the “Careers” section of their website and discovered the available positions. I was interested in the client management analyst position and discovered that I met all the requirements except for the years of experience. I then went to LinkedIn and researched individuals who had held the same position, and each one had similar backgrounds as mine. This encouraged me to pursue this position with Coleman.
What does the job entail?
I will act as a matchmaker for professionals that require expert assistance on high-level business projects. I will first learn about the projects where our clients require professional assistance and advice. I will then formulate requirements that must be met by experts that will be necessary to consult our client. Next comes the real meat of my position, which will be pairing the appropriate experts with the client. Lastly, I will work to facilitate a meeting between the expert and client to hopefully further our clients’ efforts.
What advice would you give students to help them find a job prior to graduation?
First and foremost, start early and never stop. The freshman year career fair that you feel “isn’t important yet” could lead to a powerful connection with a company that will pay off down the road. Trust me, the effort to stay connected shows. The other reason for starting early is for the practice that truly sets you apart. While some recruiters think awkwardness is normal, they are never “wow’d” by anything less than an impressive air of confidence and comfort in a networking scene. Secondly, if you don’t have an interest in a company, you should still network with the employees. Every company has a multitude of different divisions and specialty staff. They could have hidden opportunities they are looking to fill. For example, I found my first internship by contacting a fishing tackle company who ended up needing an Email Marketing Intern.
Additionally, focus on the position you plan on applying for and not yourself. Your resumes, introductory pitches, etc. should all include your experience and information that is catered toward the specific position you are seeking. Lastly, make great use of the Career Center and pay attention to their communications. Whether you take the time to sit down for a brief meeting with one of their experts or stop by Employer in the Foyer to chat with the representatives, the smallest steps are investments in your future. Who knows, those steps may lead you to a great position like the one that I landed.