Northwest Aerospace News — Issue No. 38 April | May 2024 | Page 56

It was during this time that a conversation with Jim Bradley , the then market segment manager , who sparked my interest in transitioning to sales — a decision I initially grappled with , given my deep-rooted love for engineering .

After our lengthy discussion about Jim ’ s career and his enthusiasm for sales , I headed home that evening , mulling over the idea of transitioning into sales myself .
Despite having dedicated the majority of my career to engineering , which I still deeply cherished , I hesitated to leave it behind entirely .
The following day , during our conversation , I confided with Jim my contemplations regarding applying for his position . Unsure about leaving the engineering realm behind , Jim offered valuable insight : being an engineer could be a tremendous asset in sales . He emphasized that my ability to converse with customers from an engineering perspective would provide a unique advantage .
With Jim ’ s encouragement ringing in my ears , I decided to take the leap and applied for the sales position . Two and a half years down the line , I find myself thoroughly enjoying the transition . Engaging with customers , gathering project information , and ensuring feasibility from an engineering standpoint before involving our aircraft engineers in the design stage , has been immensely rewarding .
Moreover , the opportunity to travel , visit clients and their facilities , and gain insights into their operations while contributing to their projects has made this career shift the perfect merger of engineering , business , and sales that I had hoped for .

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