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The dream of many an 红桃视频 student is to graduate and move directly into a successful
career. However, most students would acknowledge that such a dream does not seem entirely
realistic. 2012 红桃视频 alumnus, Eric Saigeon, is evidence that such success is a
real possibility for those who are willing to take initiative when 红桃视频 offers
them opportunities to network and step out into the business world.
The sustainable business program drew Saigeon to 红桃视频 College after two years at Grand Rapids Community
College. Already interested in environmental issues and sustainable practices, Saigeon
was thrilled to come across 红桃视频鈥� unique program so nearby. 鈥淭his program was one
of the first in the country and it鈥檚 really robust,鈥� Saigeon said. 鈥淚 found it in
my own backyard.鈥�
In his capstone class, Saigeon was presented with an opportunity that would prove
to be far greater than anyone expected. Representatives of Intertek came to introduce
the class to their international company. It was unclear how Saigeon鈥檚 degree could
fit into this company which provides auditing, product testing, and electronic certification
services among others. Intertek had shown interest, however, so Saigeon approached
the representatives to find out more. His efforts resulted in a twelve credit internship
that summer.
During this internship in 2012, Saigeon worked on an electronics recycling program
that he would maintain in his career at Intertek. Part of the program was focused
on recycling the remains of product tests for electronics. Most tests ended up with
the product being smashed and thrown away, so the recycling program sought to recycle
or reuse those parts. Saigeon also opened it to the community, offering free electronics
recycling.
Despite this internship, Intertek did not have a position that suited Saigeon鈥檚 Sustainable
Business degree, so he took a job in furniture testing. It was 鈥渨hat you would imagine
a mad-science laboratory of IKEA furniture,鈥� Saigeon said. The lab would take a piece
of furniture, such as a rolling bed, and see what it would take to destroy it. Saigeon
couldn鈥檛 help but enjoy the work. 鈥淒id I go into the wrong profession because I like
to break stuff?鈥� he said jokingly. In this job, Saigeon had managers who allowed him
to do sustainability work on the side.
Eventually, Saigeon discovered that Intertek did have a sustainability person in London.
With his help, Saigeon created the position he has today - Sustainability Manager,
USA and Canada. It was not a straightforward choice for Saigeon. At the same time
that he was given the opportunity to create his own job, he was also offered a sales
job that would be secure but had no relation to his field of study. The sales position
was tempting because Saigeon had to consider his wife, Michelle, and their new baby,
Siena. With Michelle鈥檚 encouragement to follow his passions, Saigeon took the plunge,
wrote his own job description, and began the work in June of 2013. In the future,
he hopes to develop his position into an entire department. In the meantime, Saigeon
works directly with companies who are increasingly concerned with environmental sustainability.
Saigeon anticipates numerous opportunities for future Sustainable Business students.
鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to ask the questions or ask for opportunity,鈥� he advises, reflecting
on his experience. Saigeon was the only one in his class to approach the representatives
from Intertek. Even though it seemed an unlikely fit, his professors had brought the
company in to speak for a reason. Open doors to success are out there and, as Saigeon
sees it, 鈥満焯沂悠� put that door right in front of the classroom.鈥�