Connecting Here There

1. Connecting Here There Angie Beltz VP, Cisco Solutions Group Tech Data

2. A Bit About Me…… Graduated from Florida State University in Fashion Merchandising, minor in Marketing Started career in Atlanta, GA with Rich’s/Lazarus Today: Vice President, Product Marketing @ Tech Data (3 ½ years) 14 years in Technology Industry 3 boys (oldest is senior in High School) Community Focus: Junior Achievement, Girls Inc, STEM education initiatives, Women Leadership

3. Lattice vs. Ladder Career Path • Retail – Buyer • Strategy • Advertising/Demand Gen • Risk Intelligence • Business Predictions/ • Development • Negotiation • Planning • Retail - Management • People Management • Company Culture • Business Expectations • Know the Business • Operations

4. Lattice vs. Ladder Career Path Doors are open! • Tech Data – Product Marketing • Leadership (& Thought) • Strategy • Drive high performance team • Deliver #’s • Profit and Loss • Relationships • Business predictions • Innovative thinking • Critical thinking • Risk intelligence • Analytical • Risk Mgmt • Influence • Negotiations • Tech Data Sales/Operations • Deliver #’s • Profit and Loss • Relationships • Operations • Risk Intelligence • Risk Mgmt • IT Business solutions • Business predictions • Innovative thinking • Critical thinking • Business Development • Supply Chain • Drive high performance team • Tech Data –Tech Disty • Purchasing • Data Analysis • Analytical skills • Risk Mgmt • Negotiations • Deliver #’s • People Mgmt • Operations • Supply Chain/Compliance • IT Business Integratin • Risk Intelligence • Relationships • Big Box Retail – Purchasing • Data Analysis • Analytical Skills • Critical Thinking • Scalability • System Leverage/IT Speak • Risk Aversion • Negotiation • Profit and Loss • Relationships What’s Next? • Electronic Retail – Buyer • Asset Manager • Data Analysis • Analytical Skills • Planning • Risk Intelligence • Influence • Risk Mgmt

5. How To Navigate Your Career Defining your 1, 3-5 year goals can limit you Keep things open Don’t always target ‘titles’ or ‘positions’ in your goals Stay away from targeting tight timelines in goals Continue to learn – always! Extend your skills – target specific skills Take on more - expand your knowledge/experience

6. Technology/Business Skillsets Skills Open Doors • Data Analysis • Analytical Skills • Communication Skills • Problem Solving Skills • Critical Thinking Skills • Risk Intelligence • Decision Making Skills • Leadership Skills Does a certain ‘Major’ define your career? Your Ability?

7. What’s Expected In The Workplace Collaboration Inquisitiveness Team Work Passion for Winning Effective Communication Drive & Initiative A Level of Risk Taking Deliver Results

8. Tips For A Successful Transition Into The Workforce Set your own expectations appropriately Be humble, but hungry Be confident, not cocky Be grateful Be patient and strategic Don’t limit yourself to ‘title’, ‘department’, ‘role’ or ‘company’ Culture/environment is as important as money!

9. Tips For A Successful Career • Identify your personal brand - solidify • Professional Development • Seek out a Mentor, Build out your promoters • Constantly look for opportunities to expand your exposure, role, contribution (leadership) • Work hard and smart • Find your passion and use it to drive your objectives • You have to earn it! Nobody owes you anything!

10. Key Takeaways To Help You Prepare Networking Internships Local Opportunities Interviewing Your Competition For Your First Job Is Sitting Next To You! Invest In Yourself Now!

11. Networking • Networking may get you your first job • Networking takes practice • Take advantage of opportunities to Network • Follow-up so the connection is validated • Your tool kit: • 3 topics/questions you can use to approach anyone • Shake hands, hand out your business card, ask for theirs, be confident • Leverage someone you know to make introduction

12. Internships Internships could get you $15K more with your first job ($51,930 vs. $37,087) 50-60% of Companies offer full time jobs to interns and 86% of interns accept those offers 63% of folks with internships get at least 1 job offer vs. 35% of folks with no internship Experience gained to be used in interview process Exposure to corporate environment is a benefit Is the company a good fit for you?

13. Learn About Area Opportunities Know what companies in the Tampa Bay area could be potential Understand programs they leverage with UT Research local companies to determine if you may just want to work for them Determine what networking/connection opportunities are available Start Now! Don’t wait until your Senior year

14. How To Interview Effectively Practice in mock interviews with peers Don’t assume your experiences don’t count Be prepared, research, understand who/where/what you are interviewing for What is on paper does not show ‘who’ you are Leverage Career Center to develop a solid resume Prepare your interview ‘kit’ – suit/dress, resume and recommendations, questions to ask Follow-up with a ‘Thank you, close the deal’ email

15. In Closing…..How to Get There Career paths are not always predefined Keep your options open – don’t pigeon hole yourself Set realistic expectations – reduce distractions Skills are key! Start building them now! Perform the things now that will be expected later Once in….Embrace your career Network, Intern, Attend local events Practice & Prepare for Interviewing

16. Thank You! Techdata.com Angela.beltz@techdata.com linkedin.com TBTF.org UTTechClub.com