The Southwestern Company Alumni Blog
For the past 13 years my family and friends have been utterly confused trying to figure out what I do. I have spent nearly half of my life working with the Southwestern Company (no, not the airline). I spent eight of those years selling books and software door-to-door in the summer, as well as, recruiting and training students to work in the program during the school year. Currently, I am going on my fifth year as the Southwestern Company’s alumni specialist. How’s that for a title? You see why they are confused. Why would a company have an alumni department?
As you might imagine door-to-door book sales attracts a unique caliber of individual. The Southwestern Company summer program is not for everyone. However, for those students who thrive on challenges, are looking to set themselves apart and aspire to grow personally & professionally it can be an experience beyond comparison. When I left for that first summer on the “bookfield” I had no concept of the bonds that I would form by going through such an intense experience. I am thankful to include many of the students whom I shared my summers within the circle of my closest friends.
This unique connection to other “bookpeople” is the primary basis for my position. I have a daily opportunity to reconnect bookpeople to Southwestern and each other. One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to share stories from the bookfield and how that experience has impacted alumnus’ lives.
The purpose of this blog is to share a glimpse into many of the wonderful stories and successes of Southwestern Company alumni. As an added bonus, maybe my parents will finally understand a bit more about what I do and why Southwestern has been such a big part of my life.
