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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Valuable experiences come in many forms. For junior Hannah Kovachevich from Oscoda, Michigan, one of the most important interactions that decided her future at �������ϲʹ���ֱ�� was her friendship with fellow student and graduate Briannah Conly, B.B.A.’22. Unsure of what she wanted to major in, Kovachevich followed Conly’s advice about joining the Sales and Business Marketing Association (SBMA) and the rest is history!

“I learned that sales wasn’t about trying to sell the most expensive product to someone who doesn’t need it,” she says. “It was about asking questions to discover the challenges that businesses and individuals face and seeing if your company can help provide a solution. It was at SBMA that I realized sales was the right industry for me, so I switched my major at the end of my first year.”

As a sales student, Kovachevich has learned that chasing opportunities is what will make sales professionals thrive.

“In sales you can go as far as you’re willing to work. I look forward to providing value to businesses and challenging myself in the process. Stepping out of your comfort zone pays off and it opens doors that you might never have imagined.”

Through her involvement with SBMA, where she is now president, Kovachevich discovered what makes her a talented salesperson.

“I have a passion for building relationships, creating solutions and challenging myself and others. I never would have thought I would become the president of our student organization; however, my peers and professors encouraged me to become a leader. I wanted to be a role model for those who have the same drive for solutions and the compassion for others that I do,” Kovachevich says.

Her skills have not gone unnoticed. In March 2022, she attended the Arizona Collegiate Sales Competition at Arizona State University where she placed fourth overall out of 28 competitors in the personal pitch segment. Western placed first overall as a university.

“I gave a 90-second personal pitch to Nationwide, Paradox, Paycom and Waste Management individually and was asked a question at the end of each pitch. It was a great opportunity to network with employers and students from universities all over the country,” she says.

Most recently, Kovachevich put her sales talent into action as an administrative sales intern at Rocket Mortgage.

“At my internship, I took the opportunity to present the skills I’ve been learning to my site directors—proud to put my education into practice,” she says. “My internship helped me realize that even when challenges arise, you must trust what you know and keep pushing on.”

Kovachevich attributes her joy finding connections to her mentor Mary Nielsen, faculty specialist.

“She has been an incredible mentor and truly cares about all her students. She has helped me in making decisions by providing helpful advice and insight. She has also encouraged me to try new things so that I could grow and learn,” Kovachevich says.

Through friendships, caring faculty and daring to discover the perfect opportunity, Kovachevich has the power to impress the sales industry with her talent in her future position.

For more �������ϲʹ���ֱ�� news, arts and events, visit �������ϲʹ���ֱ�� News online.