The Experience of a New College Hire at EMC: "Rule Maker" Regan's story, continued

 

Ever wonder what life would be/could be like going from college straight into a FORTUNE 250 company?  The following interview reflects the experience, feelings, and results-to-date for class of 2007’s Julie Regan.  It also shows how much opportunity EMC still has for increased brand awareness!

[I didn’t set out to write two profiles on Julie for this blog. There were two interesting stories that emerged from our interaction though, so what the heck.]

 

PHOTO: Julie Regan with dad, Tom Regan, at the Boston Marathon Finish Line, April, 2008

She ran the road from Boston College to EMC, literally.

Julie Regan joined EMC in the summer of 2006 as an Intern. In 2007 she graduated from BC and began work full-time for EMC in the inside sales group.  Currently, she is ramping up for a new assignment to be among a team to develop an inside sales operation in our Santa Clara office.   Over lunch a couple weeks ago I asked her some questions about her background and her experience to date with EMC.

What do you do in your spare time?

“I go to New York and bargain in the garment district for beads. I make jewelry.   I hang out with friends and family.  In college, my sport of choice was track. I wasn’t a big runner; I did the high jump and the hurdle. I used to watch the Boston Marathon runners each year running through campus. I made it a goal to run it. I met that goal in April.”

What was your major and how did you do in school?

“I graduated from BC with a 3.4 from the business school. I could have done better I guess but I was also the captain of the track team. “

How did you find EMC or EMC find you?

“For my job search I applied at finance companies – JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs. No one in my circle knew what EMC was. One afternoon I saw a sign that said “Free Pizza” – we just came in from track practice and were like ‘Hey! Free pizza!’”

“The people I met from EMC were the key draw for me. I also saw financial stability, a global company, and opportunities – cross-functional opportunities -- the ability to meet people and go to other places.”

“I never thought of IT sales as appealing. The culture and the people sold me.”

“After my internship in 2006, I started here full-time in September of 2007 as a Sales Associate. I am currently preparing for my next role as Back Up, Recovery and Archiving Specialist out of the Santa Clara Office. Definitely a challenge, but exciting!”

Do you feel you make a difference at EMC? How do you know?

"I know I make a difference at EMC. Every day I generate tangible demand for EMC which can be tracked directly to sales appointments for the sales force, revenue for the company and results for our customers."

Why do you like working at EMC? 

“I make things happen. I can get a diverse career and the ability to make a difference. As a company, we recognize change and lead it. That’s great. ‘Exhilarating’ sums it up! It is vibrant and proactive. Not people telling you what to do. The energy and the empowerment we get as young people to take control of our little business within this big business. In high school or college: I honestly had no idea what I was going to do – if you work hard and enjoy it, opportunities open up.

What is the coolest thing that’s happened to you at EMC? 

“I asked for something I wanted and they actually said, ‘Yes.’ I’m moving across the country to California! That is pretty cool.”

What inspires /keeps you at here?

“The opportunity. It is important to earn the right to ask by working hard and real opportunities present themselves.”

Of the value propositions for working at EMC, which value prop most resonates with you?

“’Feel the Pride and have Fun.’ We have so much fun in inside sales. We also make a difference. I closed a $150k deal. The sales rep that I partner with said, ‘Thanks for that call you made.’ “

“The company is changing the world. I feel a part of that.”

[I was entertained to learn that Julie’s specialties in college were the “High Jump” and the “Hurdle.”  That’s funny-good prep for life at EMC.  That she watched the marathoners as they journeyed from EMC’s home in Hopkinton through her Newton campus was also rather poetic.   Running the marathon seems to be just one of the life goals she has been hitting as of late.]

------------ Talk Back: What was your transition from college to company like?