By: Carolyn Thomas, Director, XU Office of Career Services
My name is Tayler Loyd and I am a Spring 2014 graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana. I’m from Marietta, GA and I graduated with a degree in Sales and Marketing. I’m currently a Marketing Associate for 3M which is located in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Taylor Loyd Sale and Marketing Xavier University
In order to secure my current position, I accepted a Frontline Sales Internship with 3M that I completed the summer after my graduation. The internship program did not guarantee a position at the conclusion of the program, but by producing quality work and networking, very few people left the program without an offer. I was confident in the skills and training that I received through my curriculum, career services department and previous internship experiences. I also talked to former interns who transitioned into full-time employees in order to learn how to be successful. At the end of my internship, there were no available marketing positions in my division. However, after having spent 12 weeks of working hard, being pro-active, and networking, my internship was extended and a few weeks later, I was able to secure a job in the Industrial and Adhesive Tape Division.
There was no one instance that helped me to get to where I am today. My previous internships helped me to understand what I liked and didn’t like. The resume revisions and mock interviews with the career services department helped me to fine tune my interviewing skills. Attending career fairs and working on various team projects helped me to become better at networking and working with diverse groups. Being a member of student council and various academic and social clubs helped me to become more well rounded and more attractive to potential employers. Those experiences as well as having great mentors and great resources helped me to become gainfully employed after graduation.
Carolyn Thomas Director-XU Office of Career Services
