Charles Schmidgall

Majors: Selling and Sales Management; Communication

Broadcast Intern, The Lafayette Aviators

Sales Intern, Rush Truck Centers

1.) How did you learn about this internship opportunity? 

I met Rush at a sales competition through the Center for Professional Selling at Purdue. They offered me an opportunity to come work for them in addition to commentating for the Aviators. I was connected with the Lafayette Aviators through my broadcast work with Big Ten Plus.

2.) How has your internship helped build your skills and clarify your career goals?  

My internships have helped me develop my skills in practice. At Rush I learned about the transportation industry and the nuances of sales in trucking. I also learned about how a corporate structure shapes a business. For the Aviators, I gained a lot of experience about establishing a balance between informing and entertaining. Baseball is long, it can be tough to keep your audience engaged. I have learned about letting your voice reflect the excitement of the game, and, when it drags on, using stories, humor, and information to keep the attention of the viewers.

3.) How do you apply your Liberal Arts skills to your internship?  

I have learned the importance of effective communication in every working environment. Being able to communicate in-house keeps things running smoothly. If you can’t communicate, you can’t do business. Using social science to understand the buying motives of customers helps you be a better salesman. 

4.) What is a piece of advice you would give someone looking for an internship?   

You get 0% of the things you don’t ask for. If you want to work somewhere, ask to work there. If you want to learn from someone, reach out and ask to talk. Never hesitate to chase your dreams!