Alumni Profiles - Meet Matthew Gow
Hometown: Hockessin, DE
Year of Graduation: 2009
Major: Food and Agribusiness Management
Minor: Marketing
Undergraduate Campus Involvement:
National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA), Complex Community Councils, Resident Assistant
Current Position of Employment or Education:
Walmart Co-Manager
Describe your best Ag experience:
My best Ag experience was without a doubt making it to finals in the National Agri-Marketing Association marketing competition in Kansas City, Missouri. The experience of working all year on a product with a talented team to market it successfully was a very empowering experience. Moreover, it strengthened my relationship with my adviser Dr. T who got me into the College of Ag to begin with and assisted me in my job search.
Which Ag course was your favorite and why?
My favorite class was Sales with Dr. T where I learned several important things about retail. I also was able to use what I learned in the class and his Management class to really identify the type of leader that I wanted to be.
Tell us about your current position or program of study and what led you to that field.
I currently work for Walmart as a Co-Manager in White Marsh, Maryland. I run a 149,000 square foot store that is currently expanding to a Supercenter. I have the opportunity to supervise over 250 associates daily. The best part of my job is the benefits that my store provides to the community and the pride that all of my associates have in providing those benefits to our customers.
How did your College of Ag experiences prepare you for your current job or post-graduate education?
Several key classes prepared me for my current career. The most important experience came from applying knowledge from classes such as Sales and Management to my retail internships. Moreover, my club involvement has aided me in developing new programs to work on at the store to help solve customer wants and needs.
What advice do you have for students interested in your field?
Many retail companies offer paid summer internships to college students that allow them to experience different management styles. It is a great way to learn the world of retail and network before graduation.
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