Alec Cusick
Class of 2017
Sales Development Program, Owens Corning
Can you tell me a little bit about your personal history including school years at UT and career path?
I graduated from The University of Toledo in 2017 with my Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and minor in Professional Sales. As an undergrad, I had three engineering co-op experiences – two with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and one with Marathon Petroleum Corporation. I started working for Owens Corning in June of 2017 and have since been in their Sales Development Program at their world headquarters in Downtown Toledo.
Can you tell me a little bit about what’s happened since you were a student at UT?
Since graduating in May of 2017, I have remained local to Downtown Toledo. Through work, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to many places, including L.A., Minneapolis, and Houston. It’s been valuable to see the different uses of our products across the country, and I look forward to the experiences I have yet to have.
What is your role at Owens Corning and what do you like about it?
I currently work for Owens Corning’s Technical Insulation segment under their Sales Development Program. This is an 18-24 month program for new hires that emphasizes continuous education and the development of sales skills. My responsibilities involve working with engineers who design large commercial and industrial projects. There are many different types of insulation in the industry, and I work with specifiers to determine which ones would be best suited for their specific application. What I enjoy about my role is the gratification that comes from making a significant difference to our customers’ businesses. At the end of the day, it feels good to know that I’m using my technical knowledge to be of real value to the people I work with.
How did you find out about technical sales careers?
During my time in college, I focused on getting involved in various campus organizations and events. Career fairs, professional workshops, and student organizations are a great way to learn from people with different perspectives. As I expanded my network, I met multiple individuals who brought up the field of technical sales and recommended that I look further into it. This is what ultimately led me to joining the Edward Schmidt School of Professional Sales.
Why did you want to do technical sales?
My personal career goals slowly developed as I gained experiences in my co-ops. As time went on, I discovered that I enjoyed working with those around me as much as I enjoyed using my technical background to solve problems. To me, technical sales was the perfect chance to combine these two passions into one promising career, and it has proven to be the right choice for me.
How did having the combination of a technical/engineering degree with a professional sales minor and being in both COE and COBI/ESSPS help you?
I strongly believe that adding professional sales to my technical background has benefited me in more ways than one. Knowing how to effectively communicate a message to your audience is an invaluable skill to have in any situation. Whether I’m talking to an engineer about Owens Corning’s insulation, or selling myself in a job interview, I have seen a dramatic difference in how my message is received with my audience. For this reason, I can confidently say that my involvement in both COE and COBI/ESSPS has greatly improved not only my professional career, but also my personal development.
