Zachary Santiago – The Cellular Connection 

Student Name: Zachary Santiago  

Major/Program: Business Management 

Internship Site: The Cellular Connection  

Role/Title: Sales Consultant  

Semester/Year: Senior 

 

 

During my internship at The Cellular Connection, I gained hands-on experience in customer service and sales by working with customers to understand what they needed and recommend cellular devices, plans, and accessories. I improved my communication skills by clearly explaining account details and current promotions so customers could make informed choices. Overall, the internship helped me see how a large company operates, innovates the market, and creates opportunities This position increased my confidence in a professional work environment by improving my communication skills and helping me better understand monthly billing statements. 

 

I did not realize how much building a customer base and strong relationships can drive sales and bring in revenue. I worked on communicating with customers to understand what they needed, while also finding current promotions and positioning other products. Since this industry changes often, I made it a habit to stay updated by checking daily discounts and new deals to help guide customer decisions. Along with monthly store goals, I also had personal performance goals to reach each month. These targets allow employee’s incentives to reach goals by maximizing potential profits for the employee.  

 

One challenge I faced was communicating effectively with coworkers. At first, some team members viewed coaching or assisting with help as if I was trying to act superior. I learned to be more mindful of how I approached conversations by using a respectful tone, asking questions first, and focusing on teamwork. Over time, this helped my feedback come across as support rather than criticism. 

 

I learned that making mistakes is part of the learning process and fixing them becomes easier and more rewarding as you gain more experience over time. 

 

My advice: You aren’t going to know what you truly enjoy until you experience it firsthand. The best way to see if a career is right for you is to spend time working in it. Over time, you’ll learn whether it motivates you, gives you a sense of purpose, and allows you to help others.