Michael Yates

Sr. Director Innovation Agricultural Strategy at Walmart

College Major: Business

"It enabled a well rounded and practical knowledge of business allowing me to pursue a wide range of career opportunities. The experience allowed me to gain confidence and challenge myself professionally. I continue to use the business, social, and organizational skills learned in CWP everyday. "

What Has Been Your Proudest Accomplishment Post-CWP?

Having been a positive influence on my colleagues, empowering them and seeing them achieve success.

Payson Maydew

Director of Development ; Asst. Track and Field Coach ; Adjunct Accounting Instructor at Emporia State University

College Major: Accounting, MBA, M.Ed

"When employers looked at my resume and saw that I had experience running a successful business, while involved with school and my various activities, I was able to garner a lot of initial attention. This ability to get my foot in multiple doors and then develop many relationships was a cornerstone in giving me a wide array of options to choose from before I had decided what I had wanted to do. Upon graduation, and when I had figured out what I wanted to do, I was able to use that relationship building to secure the job I wanted. My main takeaway my employer told me is that having the experience I had, even if it wasn't accounting only, was important because it showed that I was a worthwhile investment and someone they could see move up in the company and be a leader, which is exactly what College Works helped to give me. College Works continues to impact my mindset in all functions of my career I have had by helping me keep a big picture, managerial mindset."

What Has Been Your Proudest Accomplishment Post-CWP?

Becoming a father to my beautiful daughter Willow.

Tom Ackmann

President and Owner at Platinum Decking LLC
Industry: Home Improvement

College Major: Industrial Engineering

"I thought I wanted to run my own business someday and CWP gave me the tools to be able to do it for my entire career. "

Katie Kenny

Real Estate Broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck
Industry: Real Estate

College Major: Advertising

"My CWP experience helped me make the decision to go into real estate, rather than a typical 9-5. I have always been scared of falling victim to the rat race, and the confidence I gained from this internship allowed me to choose the best possible life for myself. My career does not feel like work, I feel like I am pursuing my passion every day. CWP gave me knowledge and relationships that I use constantly. "

What Has Been Your Proudest Accomplishment Post-CWP?

Being the happiest I have ever been in my entire life as a real estate agent, where my job is what I am excited for every single day.

Josh Bricker

TGC: Founder & CEO | Veritiv: Global Corporate Account Manager at Trolls Golf Club | Veritiv

College Major: Marketing

CWP: 2008 to 2009

""As stated above CWP instilled a sales passion and showed me how important it was to deliver value to customers. Creating a great customer experience generates long lasting customers who advocate for you. Immediately after graduation CWP was the job experience that I had and got my foot in the door at my first career. Now: Presentation skills and confidence that were foreign to me at the time have now become second nature. I have found that instilling confidence even when you are unsure helps customers feel they are making the right choice.""

What Has Been Your Proudest Accomplishment Post-CWP?

Winning Supplier of the Year Award from my customer & Winning the Premier Sales Award at Veritiv in 2020 & 2021