Chuck LoGiudice
- Store Manager
- Verizon
School Information
School: Northern Illinois University
College Major: Business
Years at College Works: 2014
Career Information
Working For: Verizon
Title: Store Manager
Industry: Telecommunications
Brief Description of Duties / Responsibilities:
Manage and train employees. Coach to achieve sales goals.
What Has Been Your Proudest Accomplishment Post-CWP?My proudest accomplishment post CWP is becoming a Verizon store manager after just 1 year of being a sales rep/assistant manager. At just 23 I managed 7 employees and $1.5 million of sales per year.
College Works Career Impact
In one sentence, what has CW meant to you?
College Works Painting opened my eyes to how far hard work and dedication can take you.
How did your CW experience impact your career? Immediately after graduation? Now?
My experience with College Works Painting showed me how many different aspects there are to a management position. It allowed me to drastically improve my time management and prioritization skills. I learned how to work with people as well, including employees, coworkers, vendors, my managers, and most importantly customers. I think most importantly my College Works Painting experience gave me the confidence to go into any situation and know that I can succeed.
What do you want to tell your clients about what it meant to work with them and how it has helped you get to where you are today?
My first client Evelyn sticks out the most. She was so understanding of what I was trying to do. It was my first job and there were some hiccups along the way. But she gave me the confidence to keep going and get the job done. Other customers may have complained, but she was so encouraging. She was great.
What was the greatest lesson you learned from your CW experience?
The best lesson I learned is that you always have to keep your promises. If you tell someone you’re going to do something, you have to do it.
How have the friendships and networks you built during CW affected you?
The friendships I developed will last forever. I still stay in touch with everyone on my team in 2014. We became so close that year that I know I can count on them for anything. They are like family.
If you had to come up with a one line slogan for CW, what would it be?
Work hard, play hard.
Advice
What advice do you have for potential CW participants? Current CW participants?
It is going to be hard, you are going to get frustrated, and you are going to want to quit. But sticking it out will be one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have. Whether you have $25k or $125k in sales.
Many college students struggle to choose between an internship specific to their target industry or doing CW. What advice would you give them on this subject if they wanted to enter your career field?
A College Works Painting internship will help you no matter what career path you want to travel down. At the very least you’ll walk away knowing how to carry yourself like an adult and command respect and consideration in any field you want to work in. You’ll learn how to sell products and services, but more importantly you’ll learn how to sell yourself and your ideas.
What’s your best advice for someone interested in entering your career field?
Treat every day as a learning experience. Constantly try to better yourself in areas like marketing, sales, customer service and communications.
What’s your favorite memory from CW?
I think my favorite memory was pulling an all nighter working and studying the day before going to Six Flags for payroll Friday. My team and I worked real hard, then played hard all day, then got up the next morning and were back to grinding.
Last words of wisdom?
Going into College Works Painting I was a shy, introverted kid who didn’t know his ass from his elbow. I didn’t like talking to people and I avoided confrontation or having to be persuasive. And I was literally shaking going into my first training day. Since the end, I have never been more confident. I have developed relationships based on being trustworthy and capable of handling many difficult situations. Now I am not afraid of talking to the owners of multimillion dollar companies.