NDSU Sales Club gets valuable industry experience with local business
The NDSU’s Sales Club stepped out of the classroom and into the field at a recent Bobcat Field Day, gaining firsthand experience using equipment, building industry connections and seeing the power of collaboration in action.
The day kicked off with a Bobcat Bootcamp, where 12 students climbed into the driver’s seat of skid steers, excavators, tractors and mini track loaders for hands-on learning.
For Linnea Axtman, a senior in business administration, the experience was unforgettable.
“This was such an awesome opportunity to get to learn how to run all this equipment that I probably otherwise would never have gotten to. It was quite easy to learn and a much simpler system than I expected,” said Axtman, who is from Fargo.
Students also visited Bobcat’s headquarters in West Fargo for a panel discussion with Bobcat construction sales leaders and field staff to learn more about the company and receive career insights from industry professionals.
“One of the biggest takeaways I had from the panel was how important it is to build a strong and trustworthy relationship with your customers,” said Chase Balken, a senior marketing major. “People make mistakes in business but how you decide to handle it is what makes not only a great sales leader but also a great person. Leading with intent and passion can get you a long way in your career.”
Axtman said she enjoyed learning more about the collaborative, team-centered culture at Bobcat.
The field day highlighted the strong industry connections NDSU has with Bobcat, which provides ample opportunities for students to network and further build their skills outside the classroom.
“At Bobcat Company, we believe in the power of collaboration and the importance of investing in the next generation,” said Brandy Miller, people partner in the Bobcat Construction Product Division. “Hosting the Bobcat Field Day and Bobcat sales leadership panel discussion with NDSU sales center students was an exciting opportunity to showcase the diverse career paths available in our industry. By providing hands-on experiences, we aim to inspire and engage students.”
"Investing in local talent is critical to our success,” said Brady Seavert, vice president of construction sales. “By partnering with the NDSU sales center, we’re not only showcasing the exciting opportunities Bobcat has to offer but also providing future sales professionals with hands-on experiences and direct access to our team. Events like this help bridge the gap between education and real-world applications, fostering connections and building the next generation of industry leaders."
Axtman and Balken said they were appreciative of the time Bobcat employees spent with them.
“It was really special to see how much Bobcat is investing in us as students as they had many employees taking a large chunk of time out of their day to teach us how to operate their equipment and then to have lunch and speak with us,” Axtman said.
NDSU’s Sales Club, advised by Eric Gjerdevig, puts together several hands-on learning opportunities for its members throughout the academic year. From exclusive interviews with executives, to competing in national sales competitions, students gain real-world insights that they can directly apply to their future careers.
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