Center for Career Planning

Jamie Miller '20

Outside Sales Representative at ADS, Inc

Major: Communication

Minor: Business Administration

Please give a brief background about your current company and position

I work at ADS Inc. located in Virginia Beach. We are the largest provider of tactical and operational equipment to the DoW. We are prime on a rapid acquisition DLA contract that allows the government to procure brand-name specific equipment within about 45 days. My job requires me to travel around my territory meeting with customers with the primary intent of providing market research and helping them get equipment on contracts quickly. 

How do you think being at Christopher Newport helped you to pursue your career path? 

I am unique in that, as a freshman, I told my advisor that this is where I wanted to work. CNU helped my professionalism and critical thinking, as well as building my competency with technology. 

What career readiness competency did you develop the most while at CNU and how do you use it in your career?

Communication, Critical Thinking - Your credibility is primarily based upon your ability to communicate effectively. 

What advice would you give current students?

Double down in your favorite classes that will lead to career success. The more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it. Spend more time with the professors that you respect the most. Pick great mentors and pick their brains often. 

Simon Parnell ‘26

Intern at ITA International

Major: Cybersecurity

What resources did you use to find your internship?

I found this internship online and through a personal connection. 

Which career readiness competency did you use during your internship and please give a specific example of how you developed it.

Teamwork - The interns were tasked with creating a business proposal for a potential inter-company partnership and presented it to the CEO. I am unsure if I am actually able to say what it was about due to the nature of the business but it required major research from every one of us as well as cooperation to make everything coherent. 

What advice do you have for underclassmen seeking internship opportunities?

Aside from your studies, do some side projects! Join a club that allows you to get hands on with as many varied skills to make yourself as interesting as you can be. Have some fun! Do some fun things! Studies are important but just as important is application of your studies through cooperative/extracurricular means.