Summertown Metals’ Post

All too often, collision students enter the industry for a short time and then abandon their collision career aspirations for other fields. The need to create long-lasting connections to his industry is apparent and something the Collision Repair Education Foundation seeks to accomplish through its many initiatives. The success of such endeavors is visible in the case of Brandon Wennin, a 10-year industry veteran who met CREF Executive Director Brandon Eckenrode as a student and later spoke to students during the Foundation’s first-ever career fair, then titled the Cars, Careers & Celebrities Expo, in August 2014. Wennin’s entrance into the industry began a few years earlier. After graduating high school in 2008, he had no idea what career path to pursue. His parents permitted him to take a gap year to weigh his options, and during that year, Wennin and his friends spent a lot of time working on their cars. “I realized how much I enjoyed customizing cars,” he shares. “My parents are both graphic designers, so I grew up around art, but I’ve never been interested in spending my life behind a desk; I always wanted to work with my hands, and the idea of becoming a custom painter gave me a chance to do that while still creating something beautiful and artistic on people’s cars and motorcycles.” https://lnkd.in/eB4RjMiP

The collision repair industry offers a vast array of career opportunities for those interested in the field, though not all young people realize the variety of options at their fingertips. The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) seeks to highlight the many different choices available by its multitude of endeavor, including participating in industry events, hosting career fairs and funding scholarships to help students pursue their education. That support can be vital for aspiring collision professionals who may not receive encouragement from other areas of their lives. Christina Sepulveda was the youngest of three children born to parents whose increasingly severe disabilities made it difficult for them to earn incomes that did anything more than allow their family to scrape by. Her parents separated when she was quite young, and Sepulveda lived with her father, who had been a talented woodworker and repairman before his health deteriorated. “The greatest gift he ever gave me was teaching me those different hands-on skills,” she shares. https://lnkd.in/eBj6huHb

So happy to have the opportunity to discuss my role and what I do on a day to day basis. Check out this interview to see more about what resources are offered at Valpo Career and Alumni Network!

Hello LinkedIn Family, I just completed Red Bull On-Premise Sales on [Forage ](urn:li:organization:68514998). In the simulation I: * Completed a job simulation focused on On-Premise Sales activities at Red Bull * Used Excel to visualize which on-premise clients are performing best and worst. * Communicated observations to Red Bull team members about why certain clients are performing better than others. * Utilized active listening and social proof to overcome a client’s objections resulting in them more prominently featuring Red Bull in their bar. Check out the simulation here: https://lnkd.in/dfceK_M5 Forage , Red Bull #virtual_internship #Internship

¨Be Better Than You Were Yesterday Dedicate time to improving yourself. Read books about your industry, watch or listen to relevant career related and motivational podcasts. Plan out what you want to do to make an impact once the summer is over and it’s back to business as usual, and design a strategy to achieve these goals. Write them down and follow up on a daily basis. Focus On Your Wellness Take a break from the constant emails and work notifications and allow your mind and body to truly relax and recharge. Catch up on sleep or establish a regular sleep schedule. Feeling well-rested can significantly improve your mood and energy levels. Engage in activities that promote relaxation, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga or spending time in nature. Since the weather is nice, venture outdoors and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Go on a hike, jog, run or walk to maintain mental clarity, as well as your physical health. Pursue activities you enjoy, whether it's reading, writing, listening to music, playing games or creating art. Focusing on hobbies can be a great way to de-stress and express yourself creatively. Spend quality time with friends and family.¨

Hey connections! I'm excited to share that I have just completed another fantastic virtual experience with Red Bull, this time focusing on their On-Premise Sales program on Forage - June 2024. In this simulation, I: * Completed a job simulation focused on On-Premise Sales activities at Red Bull. * Used Excel to visualize which on-premise clients are performing best and worst. * Communicated observations to Red Bull team members about why certain clients are performing better than others. * Utilized active listening and social proof to overcome a client’s objections, resulting in them more prominently featuring Red Bull in their bar. This experience has been incredibly enriching, and I'm thankful for the chance to learn from such a dynamic company and look forward to more opportunities to work with them in the future. Each step in this journey has brought me closer to understanding the intricacies of their operations and solidifying my passion for the brand. Thank you, Red Bull, for providing such an invaluable experience! 🏅 #RedBull #OnPremiseSales #VirtualInternship #CareerGrowth #ExcelSkills #ClientManagement #ActiveListening #SalesSimulation

Our latest blog post….

Are students missing out on careers that align with their values? The UCLA Plant Futures chapter recently asked that very question—and answered it in a big way. Anna Moulds, Sarahjeet Dosanjh and the rest of the Plant Futures UCLA Chapter organized their first Sustainable Food Career Fair, bringing together 80 students and 15 mission-driven organizations like LA Food Policy Council and the Chef Ann Foundation. This wasn’t just another fair; it was an opportunity for students from all backgrounds to explore careers where their academic interests meet real-world impact in sustainable food systems. Jeremy Martinez, UCLA Chapter Co-leader, shared, “It was great to see so many students actively engaged. Really rewarding as an organizer to see how many students and companies came out to this first-of-a-kind event at UCLA.” Events like this redefine what’s possible—showing that no matter your discipline, there’s a place for you in building a resilient, equitable food system. If you’re a food systems organization or company, reach out—we’d love to connect you with our students eager to make a difference! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gdqz7QqG #SustainableCareers #FutureOfFood #ImpactDriven

🎓 Kubota is on the road this week, visiting universities across the nation to recruit the next generation of talent! 🎓 From Arizona State University to Kansas State University, and Ohio State University, we’re meeting students passionate about making an impact in food, agriculture, and sustainability industries. We’re especially excited to be at Ohio State University on September 26 for their Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Career Fair. This event is a fantastic opportunity to connect with Ohio State students and recent alumni who are interested in driving innovation in these key sectors. Recently, we spoke with Grace Jaworski, one of our newest Kubota team members and recent graduate from Ohio State, who joined us through this very career fair: “I’ve been at Kubota for four months now, and my journey here started at the career fair. I didn’t have an ag background, but the K Path Program attracted me because it allows me to explore different business areas before deciding where to focus. Kubota just had a great vibe—everyone was so warm and welcoming. My advice for anyone attending the fair: don’t limit yourself to specific companies. Keep your options open, update your resume, and most importantly, be confident in yourself!” Her story is just one example of how Kubota offers opportunities for diverse backgrounds and unique talents. Whether you have a business, sustainability, or ag background, we’d love to meet you at the fair!   Ready to explore your future at Kubota? Stop by our booth or visit https://lnkd.in/gFfx__nm #KubotaUSA #KubotaCountry #Kubota #KubotaCrew #KubotaCareers #UniversityRecruitment #OhioState #FoodAndAgriculture #Sustainability