Sean Nachtigall
- Senior Account Manager
- Trane
School Information
School: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
College Major: Business
Years at College Works: 2007 to 2010
Career Information
Working For: Trane
Title: Senior Account Manager
Industry: Manufacturing
Brief Description of Duties / Responsibilities:
Grow and maintain business in the Hospitality and Entertainment industries through sale of large commercial HVAC systems.
What Has Been Your Proudest Accomplishment Post-CWP?The general success I have had as a whole. College Works Painting put me on a track of consistent growth that is allowing me to achieve my goals at a pace I would never have dreamed of before.
College Works Career Impact
In one sentence, what has CW meant to you?
College Works Painting pushed me like I have never been pushed before and opened my eyes to see what I truly am capable of.
How did your CW experience impact your career? Immediately after graduation? Now?
College Works Painting is the major reason I have the job I have. Without it I would not have been able to have such a fast start. Even now I use much of what I learned to increases sales numbers and manage my business as a whole.
What do you want to tell your clients about what it meant to work with them and how it has helped you get to where you are today?
My favorite client is the first sale I ever made. I don’t remember their names, but I will never forget the experience. It was my first sale, first paint job, and it was not easy. I remember the wife holding my hand at the dinner table to help calm me down because I was trembling so much. I can’t remember ever being more nervous. It meant so much to me, I felt like they had such a hand in the success I ultimately had in the program. It built a confidence in me that propelled me forward. It was a tough paint job too. First one of the summer, a 5 year 2 full coats job with new painters. But it came out perfect, the job had lots of hiccups but the end result was one we were all proud of.
What was the greatest lesson you learned from your CW experience?
Nothing great or worthwhile will ever appear out of thin air, you have to put your mind to it and take the success you want for yourself.
How have the friendships and networks you built during CW affected you?
I built many friendships during my College Works Painting internship that I will never lose. A lot of us have gone separate ways and it’s tough to keep in touch. But I have a lot of successful people I can call on any day for advice or hopefully start a business venture with someday. The bonds I created during those tough years will always be there.
If you had to come up with a one line slogan for CW, what would it be?
College Works Painting for life!
Advice
What advice do you have for potential CW participants? Current CW participants?
It is isn’t difficult and doesn’t take you out of your comfort zone, its not worth doing. If you want to be the best and achieve success as quickly as possible then this is the internship for you.
What’s your best advice for someone interested in entering your career field?
You have plenty of time to do work in your desired field. But you do not have plenty of time to take advantage of an opportunity that will expose you to life experiences you will go no other place. Doing this job will only make you that much better at what you ultimately do.
What’s your favorite memory from CW?
After a huge slump in sales, I drove home early on a Friday afternoon, setup 4 out of the 5 estimates I had for that weekend, and booked over $20,000 the next day. It was quite possibly the greatest feeling I have ever had.
Last words of wisdom?
Work hard, play harder, don’t wait for success to happen, reach far and take it for yourself.