Justin Brown
- Owner
- J Brown Painting
School Information
School: University of Pittsburgh
College Major: Business
Years at College Works: 2011 to 2013
Career Information
Working For: J Brown Painting
Title: Owner
Industry: ConstructionWhat Has Been Your Proudest Accomplishment Post-CWP?
Having the courage to follow my dream of living in San Diego, and having the sales skills to convince my best friend and former DM to move with me and be my roommate.
College Works Career Impact
In one sentence, what has CW meant to you?
College Works Painting will change the way you see yourself, the way you see your friends, and the way you see the world.
How did your CW experience impact your career? Immediately after graduation? Now?
Immediately after graduation, I became a district manager for College Works Painting. It was the most fulfilling and impactful year of my life to date. I realized what I am capable of and what extreme passion and work ethic can accomplish in just a year’s time. My experience as a district manager not only got me my current job with EmpireWorks, but also has helped me transition in to my new position with relative ease. The communication, organization, and work ethic I learned at College Works Painting contribute to my success today.
What was the greatest lesson you learned from your CW experience?
I have two lessons. 1) To not get caught up in the daily grind…always remember the big picture. 2) You have to set weekly goals and do whatever it takes to accomplish them if you want to achieve your seemingly impossible long term goal.
Advice
What advice do you have for potential CW participants? Current CW participants?
For potential College Works Painting participants, if you want to move back with your parents after college, be in debt from student loans, and work at Quiznos or as a bartender, don’t do College Works Painting. For current College Works Painting participants, relish every moment. Soak in as much information as possible. There is no better training then at College Works Painting. Be bold. Do not settle for less than being the absolute best. Oh and party your butt off while you’re doing it. Work hard, play harder.
What’s your best advice for someone interested in entering your career field?
If you want to do outside sales, you need to be highly self motivated and have a very strong work ethic. Be able to hold yourself accountable.
What’s your favorite memory from CW?
My rookie intern year, we had a canoeing trip put on by Brent Miller and Ben Kern. One of the interns on my team, Cody Baxter, decided he didn’t want to get in the water to pee like everyone else, so he decided he would have one leg in each canoe and pee off the back, with all of us facing the opposite way. Well, another intern Nima, convinced us all to violently shake both canoes while he was peeing, and Cody fell backwards into us on his back, still peeing. Funniest moment of my life.
Last words of wisdom?
Make progression your obsession.