Niraj Reddy
- Assistant Project Manager
- Balfour Beatty
School Information
School: California State University-Sacramento
College Major: Business
Years at College Works: 2014 to 2015
Career Information
Working For: Balfour Beatty
Title: Assistant Project Manager
Industry: ConstructionWhat Has Been Your Proudest Accomplishment Post-CWP?
Being able to successfully start my own company outside of College Works. Me and my partner have made a lot of money considering the time we’ve put into the business and the fact that we’re still college students. It has definitely been pretty lucrative.
College Works Career Impact
In one sentence, what has CW meant to you?
College Works Painting has meant the world to me, without the amazing experience I had here I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
How did your CW experience impact your career? Immediately after graduation? Now?
College Works Painting has made me stand out from the pack, unique. Not many people have been able to run their own company successfully especially as a college student it’s unheard of. So to be able to put it on your resume is something employers are impressed with. The skills you learn from running your own business are skills that are utilized on a day to day basis – leadership, time management, organization, communication, profit analysis – skills that are necessary in any industry you go in to. With the business I currently run with my partner, we’re able to save a lot of money by not employing others to do the marketing, the lead generation, and the actual work because we learned those skills at College Works Painting and are better off doing it ourselves to make that extra money.
What was the greatest lesson you learned from your CW experience?
If you work hard, results will come. The harder you work the more chances you have of succeeding. As an intern a lot of the sales portion is a numbers game, but as you progress it turns into working smarter and thinking of creative ways to minimize the work you do, yet still achieve the same results if not better.
Advice
What advice do you have for potential CW participants? Current CW participants?
For potential College Works Painting participants, if College Works Painting comes knocking on your door take the opportunity. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, take it and make it perfect. It changed my life and if you give the internship the time it deserves it will change yours too. However, it is tough – maybe the hardest thing you will go through at this point in your career so if your not going to give it a 100% effort walk away. For current College Works Painting participants – always think of the bigger picture. Think of why you started this adventure. There will be times where you feel the struggle, are stressed out, and want to give up, but remember the end result is going to be worth it. The way I looked at it is that the internship is only 6-7 months of your life, but it can be worth 20-30 years of your career. Let that sink in.
What’s your best advice for someone interested in entering your career field?
Build as many relationships as possible. As much as you don’t like to hear it, it’s not about what you know, but who you know that will get you far in the construction industry. Get connected – join clubs, competitions, organizations, internships and attend meetings.