My name is Andrew and Im a senior at the University of South Alabama.

Im currently pursuing a Bachelors of Science in the field of strategic

communication with a concentration in public relations and a minor in
marketing from the Mitchell College of Business. Im originally from
Jonesboro, AR.
I began my career at South in the fall of 08 at the time my major was listed
as unknown. I returned to Arkansas a year later where I received my
insurance license in the areas of life, health, property and casualty. While
looking for work in the insurance industry I took a job at DNW Outdoors, a
local outdoor sporting goods retailer.
When I began working at DNW I had a relatively limited knowledge of the
field but immersed myself into learning all I could about the products and
industry. Within two years I become one of the leading sales associates. It
was during this time I began selling products on-line for the company. The
venture soon became wildly successful, the first year I moved over $120,000
in merchandise.
By this time I had decided that I no longer had any interest in the insurance
industry, as exciting as it may be. Mid-way through my second year
managing online sales for the company I was on pace to clear $250,000 for
the year. Despite this success I soon came to the realization that I was
working my way towards a glass ceiling.
In August of 2013 I re-enrolled at South Alabama and moved back to
Mobile, AL. I had found a passion for sales but knew I need a degree to
unlock my potential. I believe a degree is the difference between having an
opinion and having a theory, people tend to pay more for theories.
Having found something I truly enjoyed my GPA was the biggest beneficiary.
I arrived in 2013 on academic probation but finished my first semester back
on the Deans List. Through tireless effort and hard work I has completely
turned around my GPA. I will graduate with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 grading
scale.
I contributes my work ethic to my grandfather and late mother. They both
taught me the value of money and that there are no short cuts in life. My
grandfather grew up in rural Arkansas. As a child growing up during the
great depression his family was forced to travel from town to town looking
for work as field hands.
My grandfather was later drafted into the army during the Korean War.
Fortunately he never had to leave the states. He spent his time in the army
as firing range instructor at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. Following his

time in the army he began working for General Electric, who he worked for
until his retirement.
My mother, who passed away on January 21, 2016, began her career as an
elementary school teacher. She would later take a job as a secretary for a
large plumbing and electrical supply company. She worked her way up the
company becoming the head of accounting. Despite being diagnosed with
cancer in 2012 she refused to go on disability and kept working until the
spring of 2015. At times she would receive chemo therapy on her lunch
break and return to work. She maintained a positive and upbeat attitude
through it all. My mother was a tireless worker, with a wonderful sense of
humor and the most selfless caring person he has ever known.
She also stressed the importance of education throughout my life. Advice I
didnt always take but now fully understand the importance of. Upon
graduation I plan to continue my career in the outdoor sporting industry but
plans to move into the marketing field or focus on the B2B side of the
industry by becoming a sale rep.