Real-World Experience Leads to Long-Term Success
Zander Fulton, Class of 2025, at his internship
In the world of business, change happens fast. For college students, graduation can creep up even faster. Thankfully for finance major Zander Fulton, Class of 2025, graduating with current, real-world business experience through his internship will give him a distinct advantage.
Grand Valley State University first appeared on Fulton’s radar when he visited the Seidman College of Business with his older brother, who was also attending Grand Valley. “There’s so much going on downtown and so many connections to local businesses,” Fulton said. After his visit, he knew where he needed to be.
To help get him through college, Fulton picked up a serving job. He quickly realized how much he enjoyed getting to know people and often found himself talking to, rather than serving, his customers. “That’s what drove me to pursue sales,” Fulton said.
Sales and Fifth Wheel Freight
To satisfy his curiosity for sales knowledge, Fulton searched for extracurricular activities on campus and discovered the Professional Sales Association (PSA), a student organization invested in helping Grand Valley students achieve their business potential through professional connections. A PSA meeting that taught students how to make an elevator pitch would go on to change the course of Fulton’s professional life. Despite it being his first time making an elevator pitch, Fulton caught the attention of Jared Woodside, director of recruiting at Fifth Wheel Freight (FWF). “We started talking a bit, and he told me more about the company,” Fulton said.
FWF, a third-party logistics and transportation company, is a Gold Sponsor for the PSA. From this sponsorship, they connect with students to give them one-on-one professional advice and internship opportunities.
When he found an online listing for FWF’s paid sales internship program, Fulton knew just who to call. “I reached out to Jared, and the rest is history,” he recalled with a smile.
Thanks to his internship, Fulton has learned how to succeed in sales from business professionals. “My supervisors give me feedback on what I could do better, which has been really helpful for my communication skills,” Fulton said. While making cold calls, he used these real-world skills to secure a major client for the company. Fulton continues to support this client during weekly meetings because, as he learned, building a strong relationship from the start is essential in sales. He said, “It feels good to bring my team something instead of just going through the motions.” This drive to succeed would carry Fulton into the next phase of his professional life.
Looking Ahead
With graduation on the horizon, Fulton won’t have to worry about what he’s going to do next. His real-world experience and support from FWF business professionals already helped him secure his post-graduation job at a staffing company in Illinois. “My supervisor helped me prepare for this interview and was so supportive,” Fulton said. “I would never have gotten that without having this internship. I’m very grateful.”
Bright futures for Grand Valley students are made possible thanks to donors and supporters like FWF. Without his internship providing him with real-world experiences, Fulton would not have been able to land a job right out of college. “I’m thankful,” Fulton says, “because without this opportunity I wouldn’t have the network, I wouldn’t have this experience, and I wouldn’t have the avenue for different jobs when I graduate.”