June Alumni Career Profile

Name:  Andrew Shaw

Class Year:  2001

Major: Communication Studies

Current Employer:  ALFAC

Describe your career path since graduation.

When I graduated college I thought that companies would be jumping at the chance to hire me but I quickly found out it wasn't that easy.  I knew I wanted a sales position so I took the first one that came my way.  I sold voice and data lines of communication, business to business, for a competitive local exchange carrier in Boston.  The commute was tough, the product was unreliable and I found myself dreading the fact that I had to get out of bed in the morning and go to this job.  I started looking for a new sales position and I decided to work for a retail store that sold above ground pools.  I liked the position and the fact that I was selling to people and meeting their needs, but the hours were horrible. I had been out of college for nearly two years, had two very different sales jobs and was not earning what I believed I was worth.  Instead of looking for another job, I set out looking for a career.  I didn't want to be someone who changed jobs every two years.  Also, I wanted to be at a place where I could be my own boss.  I applied for a business to business sales position with AFLAC and was offered the position in the Fall of 2002.  I was twenty-four years old and I had found what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.  I was an agent for one year before I was promoted to a District Sales Coordinator.  Now in addition to my agent duties, I recruit, hire and train all of my own people. 

 

What is your current position and how long have you been with your employer? 

District Sales Coordinator- two years.

 

Describe the main responsibilities of your position. 

I work with employers to offer AFLAC voluntary benefit plans to their employees.  I also recruit, hire and train people to become successful AFLAC agents.

 

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

I enjoy knowing that I make a difference in the lives of people who participated in AFLAC policies by securing them financially and by offering people job opportunities that allow them to become very successful.

 

What do you find most challenging about your job? 

The biggest challenge is convincing recent graduates that they can be successful at a young age.

 

Describe your typical work week.  (How many hours you work, your work environment, etc.) 

My hours vary because I make my own schedule and I work from home, although I am on the road too.  In a typical week, I spend the majority of my time with business owners, presenting AFLAC products to employees and enrolling new policy members.

 

What job search methods did you use to obtain your current position?  

I applied for my position though Monster.   However, my main recruiting tools is networking with friends, students and alumni.  I want them to have the same opportunity and rewards that had.

 

What advice could you give to students interested in your field? 

If you want to work hard, there are no better opportunities than AFLAC.  I wish someone had recruited me right after I graduated!

Last Modified: June 22, 2005