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A GLOBAL COMPANY WITH DIVERSE OPTIONS Move up as you get more experience - the sky is the limit COX COMMUNICATIONS is known for its TV, internet and digital phone services, but the company’s services and career opportunities go far beyond that. Cox Communications is part of a global company with subsidiaries including print and broadcast media, and an auto sector that counts Autotrader.com and Kelley Blue Book among its brands. In our area, Cox Communications has about 300 team members and is looking for more people ready to create a future. Many team members start their careers at one of the company’s Solution Stores or as installation technicians. Luz Chavez manages a Cox Solution Store in Fayetteville but started as a sales associate more than eight years ago. “I knew I could move up if I was willing to work and set goals,” she says. “I advanced to assistant store manager before being put in charge of my own store.” Now her job is helping other employees grow their careers. “Our front line representatives are the face of the company,” she explains. “Working in sales is a lot of interacting with the customer, taking time to listen and helping solve their problem. It’s not always an easy task. You need to have an outgoing personality, a passion to help people and be courteous and professional.” Cox Communications has about 150 sales positions in Northwest Arkansas, but they’re not all inside a store. “We have people who do direct sales and visit people at their homes. Other team members work directly with businesses, and we have some people who work at retail locations other than our Solution Stores,” Chavez says. Besides providing excellent customer service, sales team members need to be comfortable with technology. “Being familiar with computer programs like Excel, or understanding basic coding concepts, could give you an edge,” says Chavez. “We will train you and make sure you have all the skills you need to be successful.” For Chavez, success means continuing to grow her career at Cox Communications. “My goal is to be a regional manager, and right now the company is paying for me to finish my degree. I love what I do, and I recommend working for Cox to all my friends and family.” Brandon Widows built his career at Cox Communications after joining the company. As a residential field technician he installed video and data services in homes. He’s now the supply chain supervisor and manages more than four million dollars worth of parts, materials and equipment for our region. “There are a lot of opportunities for technicians,” he explains. “We have about 90 on staff. Most start as residential field technicians, and there are a lot of ways you can move up as you get more experience. The sky’s the limit.” Opportunities include field network technicians, who are responsible for maintaining cable lines in the field. You could also be promoted to a business technician, who does installations for commercial customers. Other areas include IT or construction. To work in the construction division, Widows says you need to be familiar with computer-aided drafting programs. For many positions, the company trains people who show initiative and have the right attitude. “You don’t need experience to get started as a technician. We offer on-the-job training,” Widows says. “This could be a good fit for you if you like to be active and not stuck inside all day and are interested in technology.” A career at Cox Communications comes with benefits including paid time off, a retirement savings plan and competitive pay. You can earn more if you are bilingual. To learn more about careers at Cox Communications and see what it’s like to work in a Solutions Store or as a technician, scan the code. FAYETTEVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | 51