There are many companies that choose to hire our Oregon State University graduates, because let’s be honest, we have some great minds that come through this University. One of these companies is Sherwin-Williams. Many OSU Alumni have had great success with this company and were willing to share their stories with us!

“Mid-way through my senior year I received an e-mail that was sent to all 
of the College of Business students regarding a management training
 program offered by Sherwin-Williams. I was graduating June 2000 with a 
business marketing degree and was looking for an entry-level position. 
After a couple store visits and an interview, I was offered a trainee
 position, which allowed me to gain a management position after just 6
 weeks of training with little ‘real world’ experience. After being an
 assistant manager at a couple stores, I was offered to manage a new
 store in Tigard, OR. I was given the opportunity to be a training
 manager there and have seen several of my trainees move on to become 
outside sales reps and managers throughout the area. After a roaring 
start and a couple tough years, my store had it’s all-time best
 performing year in 2014 and we are looking forward to continued growth
 this year!”
Nate McNeely – Tigard Store Manager

“I pursued professional football for 4 years after I graduated in 2008
 with a BA in History. When it was time to seek a career, I had no idea
 of where I would land a position. I always had in mind that I would
 teach, it would give me an opportunity to mentor and teach children. 
With the lack of teaching jobs in my subject, I knew I had to choose
 another route. I was fortunate enough to get connected with Sherwin-
Williams. I started off in the Manager Training Program, which prepares
 you to handle the tasks of an Assistant Manager in one of the paint 
retail stores. After completion of the program, I was placed as the 
Assistant Manager of the Portland Rose Quarter store. After a year of
being an Assistant Manager, I was promoted to Store Manager of the
 Clackamas location. I would have never thought my career would have
 taken me into sales, let alone the paint industry. Building
relationships with customers and helping them develop their business has 
been extremely rewarding. On top of that, I still get the opportunity to 
mentor and teach my employees. It is a great company that promotes 
within and I take pride in preparing my staff for the next position. 
From a history major to running a business, you never know where your 
career will take you!”
Alexis Serna – Clackamas Store Manager

“I graduated from Oregon State in 2011 with a Bachelor’s Degree in
Interior Design. I minored in Business and Entrepreneurship. During the
 spring term of my senior year, I applied for the Management Training Program. During my
 interview, I was offered the job! I graduated in June and was able to
enjoy two months off after school before starting my training in August. 
I trained for 6 weeks at a large volume commercial store, and was placed
 in October as the Assistant Manager for our East Vancouver store. I was
 there for 2.5 years when I decided I was ready to manage my own store. I
applied for an open position at a Portland Sherwin in May, and started 
managing the store in June of 2014!”
Chelsea Henley – Portland Store Manager

“I graduated from OSU in December of 1998 with a B.S. in Communications 
and a minor in writing. After Oregon State, I had a 14-year career in
finance, risk management, and lending which took me from Corvallis to
 Seattle, Beaverton, and currently, Vancouver, WA. I traveled
 extensively throughout the PNW and part of the U.S. during this 14 year
 journey. However, the economy finally caught up with my former employer
 and I was laid off. 

I was referred to Sherwin-Williams from a good friend in late 2013 and I began my
 career as an MTP in March of 2014 where I am currently the Assistant
 Manager at our Mt. Tabor store.”
Matt Ledford – Mt. Tabor Assistant Manager

We would like to give a special thanks to Sherwin-Williams and their wonderful employees for sharing these stories!

Posted by Carly Barnhart, Social Media and Outreach