For Resume Power, Alum Recommends Involvement in Professional Business Organizations

Brooklyn Seibert

Webster alum Brooklyn Seibert is a Retail Sales Representative for Nestle Retail Operation Company in Dallas, Texas. She is responsible for all Nestle food distribution that goes to 17 Wal-Mart stores.  

She meets with the store and department managers to ensure correct product placement, modular compliance, correct pricing, and correct inventory counts. In addition, she informs managers about new products, price changes, product features, seasonal inventory and upcoming product displays. "I make sure all managers, employees, and consumers at these stores are completely satisfied with Nestle products and look for growth opportunities for both businesses," explained Seibert.

A 2006 graduate with a B.S. in Business Administration and a minor in Spanish, Seibert, credits her involvement in professional student organizations such as Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) with giving her the edge she needed over other applicants in landing her Nestle job.

NotaBene recently sat down with her to find out not only what she learned through her studies at Webster, but if she had it to do over again -- what activities or missed opportunities would she add to her educational experience at Webster.

NB: What kind of professional networking advice would you give recent graduates just beginning their careers?  

BS: I would advise graduates to research any seminars, job fairs, lectures, or events pertaining to their area of focus.   After lectures or seminars, the speaker will always hang around afterward for questions, which provides a great opportunity to talk with him/her. Know about the topic or their company before you approach the speaker with questions so you will be prepared to make a great impression. Remember, you should not be begging for a job, you should be establishing a contact/relationship with someone inside the industry who will give you advice and guidance in your career.

NB: What suggestions do you have for professional relationship building for incoming freshmen so, by the time they graduate, they have some established avenues in which to seek the kind of employment they desire?

BS: I would strongly recommend incoming freshmen join various clubs and organizations that directly relate to their major or interest. Most clubs collaborate with many professionals outside of Webster University to host events and community projects. These events give students the chance to network and make professional contacts in addition to their professors. I would also advise incoming freshmen to look for internship opportunities for next summer. Do not wait until your senior year for an internship. Internships are a great way to get work experience in your industry, make some contacts, and get your foot in the door at great companies.

NB: Tell us how networking helped you acquire the job you have at Nestle?  

BS: When I served as Vice President of Webster University's chapter of Students In Free Enterprise, we performed a project with our Business Advisory Board members concerning business ethics. Our team was lucky enough to have Karen Sanders, a director of customer supply chain, from Nestle Purina Petcare take part in that project and advise us throughout the year. I met Ms.Sanders through SIFE and she generously took the time to talk to me about Nestle, advise me on my career plans, and give me tips on interviewing.

NB: Why did you choose Webster?  

BS: Initially I chose Webster for the travel abroad program and the small classes. As a business major, Webster offered my classes at all the overseas campuses, which was very convenient. Also with Webster's Freshmen Fly Free program, Webster paid for my roundtrip ticket and the tuition stayed the same. Also the small classes at Webster never made me feel like a number; I always had a professor available to me for questions.

NB: What was one of your most satisfying academic accomplishments?

BS: My most satisfying academic accomplishment was the Webster SIFE team winning the Regional Competition and progressing to Nationals in only our 2nd year.

NB: Who has been your most important mentor, and why?

BS: I had two very important mentors during my college education: Debbie Psihountas and Jodie Novotny. Debbie is the advisor for Webster's chapter of Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) and works extremely hard to support the team in every project, meeting, trip, and competition in which they take part. She truly believes in the mission of SIFE and the competence of her students and team. Debbie serves as a great role model for hard work and determination. I just wish every sponsor and teacher puts as much effort into his/her students' success as Debbie does. Another teacher who greatly inspired me during college was Jodie Novotny. Mrs. Novotny always went the extra mile so her students would not only learn Spanish, but have fun as well. She was not only a great professor but a helpful friend. I think every student has those few special teachers who influence their lives, and for me, I will never forget Ms. Psihountas and Mrs. Novotny.

NB: What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing today's graduates who are seeking employment and how can they better achieve success?  

BS: I think the biggest challenge to graduates who are seeking employment is the double-edged sword: no one will hire you because you have no experience, and you can't get experience without getting a job. I think students must realize that most employers won 't hire you based on a degree or a GPA alone; the main contributing factor will be your work experience and accomplishments. I will reiterate again how important it is to join organizations and internships because it really builds up your resume. During college I worked little part-time jobs that didn't do much for my resume; however, through projects and competitions with SIFE, I was able to acquire leadership, communication, event planning, and marketing skills that greatly helped me acquire a job.

NB: If you had your four undergraduate years to do all over again, what (if anything) would you focus more on and/or get involved in at Webster to polish your resume and professional credentials even more?  

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