Ken Polk & #8217;91, Major Accounts District
Manager: Automatic Data Processing, Williamsville, NY
1. Briefly, what is it that you do?
I am in sales, working for a Fortune 200 company that provides
payroll and human resources services to mid sized companies.
We talk about the benefits of outsourcing those administrative
functions so they can focus on their more mission-critical objectives.
2. How did you get your current job?
Through a friend I played soccer with about 8 years ago.
3. What, if any, obstacles did you face
trying to get your first job in this field?
I had to convince the general manager of the company that I
could sell even though I had no prior sales experience.
4. What advice would you give to students
interested in working in your field?
Be aggressive enough on the interview and try closing the interview
by asking good questions to see if they feel you are a good
candidate. Nothing is worse than someone who says, "I just
want to try sales because I think I'd be good at it."
5. What are some of the activities you
were involved in while at SLU?
Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity, intramural sports, Hill News editor,
just about everything
6. How can students best prepare themselves
while still at SLU?
Take advantage of opportunities to meet alumni and gain experience
through internships or summer jobs in your field. Also, have
an open mind about what careers are out there because you probably
don't know what you want to do at 18 or 19 years old.
7. In retrospect, is there anything you
would have done differently with regard to your career?
I wish I would have considered working for a large national
company earlier on. I learned a lot being with a small company
but there are many benefits a big company brings to the table.
8. What are your future plans?
I'd like to stay with this company because of the long-term
opportunity to build wealth (stock options, etc), but I always
have an open eye. I know I want to stay in sales but may look
at some opportunities in training or management in the future.
9. Are you willing to talk with students
interested in a career in your field? If so, how may they best
contact you?
Definitely. It is very hard for someone coming out of college
to know they want to be in sales, but they can contact me via
phone (716-626-6120) or email at ken_polk@adp.com.
Additional Alumni Profiles:
John Marino, '83 : Vice President for Marketing, Actelion Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA
Dawn Montanye, '89 : Manager of Conservation Economics, World Wildlife Fund Northern Great Plains Program, Bozeman, Montana
Amanda Valenta '04 : Senior Audit Associate, McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
Moira Collins '84 : Senior Vice President, Product Development, Gartner, Inc.
Bruce E. Seely '75: Professor History and Department Chair, Department of Social Sciences, Michigan Technological University
Mark Tavern '94: Director, A&R Administration at the
RCA Music Group, a unit of SONY BMG Music Entertainment and home of the J, Arista and RCA record labels.
Anthony (Tony) Ross '75, M'78: Vice President for Student
Affairs California State University, Los Angeles
George Ashline '89: Associate Professor of Mathematics, Saint Michael's College, Colchester, VT
Alissa Bibb '03, Program Officer: American Councils for International Education
Rick Persons, '83, Senior Television Producer, PGA TOUR Productions
Ronald T. Burkman, M.D., '65 Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ken
Dowling ‘84, Executive Vice President, Grey Worldwide
Advertising
David Dusek ’93, Senior Managing Editor
of golfonline.com
Noelle Laing ‘03, Senior Consulting Associate
at Cambridge Associates
Dan Lee 05', Investment Banking Analyst, Cochran,
Caronia & Co.
Armand A. Rapetti ’73, President, CEO:
JBS & Associates, Lakeland, FL
Ken Polk & '91, Major Accounts District
Manager: Automatic Data Processing, Williamsville, NY
Wendy Davidson Freihammer & #8217;94,
Financial Advisor: American Express Financial Advisors, Cambridge, MA
Mayela C. (Calabria) Harris '87, Family
Therapist (Social Worker): Hospice of Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Peter J. Dalton '94, Affiliate Support
Manager: Habitat for Humanity International
