Zachary Rector ’20
Hometown: Woodbridge, Virginia
Major: Business administration with a concentration in management, supply chain management endorsement
Now that you have graduated from Longwood, what’s your next step?
I will be moving to Baltimore, Maryland, this summer to start my career with Amazon. My job title is area manager, and I will manage a team that could range from 50-100 associates. I have to ensure that the team has all the tools they need to succeed in any task during a shift. My ultimate goal is to pursue my MBA while working at Amazon. After I achieve that, I plan to move on to a role in business consulting or human resources. I could also see myself working at Amazon for a very long time. Amazon is an industry leader, and there is good potential for career growth. I am excited to move to a new city and continue to pursue my career goals.
Longwood prepared me to be a successful professional by nurturing and cultivating my full potential as a citizen leader.
Zachary Rector ’20 Tweet This
How did you decide to pursue this career?
Beginning in high school, I developed leadership qualities that would easily translate into the field of business management. Two of my leadership traits are being a great listener and a decisive decision maker. After my orientation at Longwood, and specifically meeting my future professors, I was sold on the College of Business and Economics. I am extremely happy I stuck with my initial decision because it’s put me on the path to pursuing a career in the business world.
Tell us about one professor and one class that helped you grow while at Longwood.
Professor Paul Barrett was my ethics professor. He helped me grow as a student and shed light on ethical practices in the business world. Although my time in the classroom with Professor Barrett was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I learned so much in his class, and I am grateful for that.
One class that I both enjoyed and found helpful for my career was Organizational Behavior. This course opened my eyes and allowed me to get inside the mind of an employee in the workplace. What I found interesting was how managers can use specific tactics to help positively motivate employees while driving sales or exceeding forecasts.
I am going to miss the helpful and motivated professors who will do anything to see students succeed. I am very grateful for the relationships and memories I made at Longwood.
Zachary Rector ’20 Tweet This
How did Longwood help to prepare you for your new job?
Longwood prepared me to be a successful professional by nurturing and cultivating my full potential as a citizen leader. When I arrived at Longwood as a freshman I never could have imagined all of the experiences I would have and the different ways that the College of Business and Economics would prepare me to enter the working world. I’ve taken a diverse and rigorous course load, and, through the McGaughy Internship and Professional Development Center, I completed an internship in Longwood’s Office of Development. The CBE helped me craft a great résumé and prepared me for future interviews and business dinners through mock interviews and the professional dinner that the CBE hosts for students.
What will you miss the most about Longwood?
Definitely the camaraderie and overall positive atmosphere. In my four years here, I took on multiple leadership roles and became involved in a wide variety of organizations such as Greek life, the Student Government Association, Peer Mentors, alternative breaks and the Lancer Student Investment Fund. I’ll never forget my first CHI burning and watching the Longwood community come together and celebrate as one. Getting to see Waka Flocka perform at Oktoberfest was pretty memorable as well. I am going to miss the helpful and motivated professors who will do anything to see students succeed. I am very grateful for the relationships and memories I made at Longwood.
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