Natalie Gennaro
	2011
	Chemical Engineering
	Ingersoll Rand
	Systems Engineer

What do you do in your current position? I am in a rotational program called the Sales Development Program. It consists of two six month rotations in which I learn to be a Systems Engineer. In these rotations I travel a lot, shadow relevent roles within the company, have excellent networking opportunities, and take technical classes to learn the products. In my full time role, I will design and size compressed air systems and then sell them.

How has your PSU engineering education/experiences helped to get you where you are today? Because Penn State is geared towards creating world class engineers, I think it has helped me develop many skills outside of just academia or engineering. My job is equal parts communications and engineering. I need the interpersonal and speaking skills to be a sales person. If there had not been so many clubs (including EA!) that pushed me to develop my public speaking skills, I don't think I would be as diversified as an engineer nor would I have realized my other passions and ended up in the career I'm in.

How has your experience as an EA impacted your professional life so far? EA has impacted my career so far in many ways. Ingersoll Rand as a company greatly values public speaking. In fact, for every role you interview for at any level in the company they make you give a 15 minutes presentation on yourself. They also were very impressed with the assertion evidence style and how it showed creativity and confidence. Since I've been with the company I have had to give many presentations both on myself and technical information. In general, I think public speaking is a valuable skill in any job. However, in my job as a technical salesperson I will really need the skills I learned being an Ambassador. Depending on what type of customer I am meeting with, I will have to give both impromptu, non-technical presentations and extremely technical, formal presenations. Knowing what I know from EA, I think that I will set myself apart in communication methods when compared to a lot of the other sales people that customers are used to meeting with.