International Business alumnus Walker Enstad (’17) finds success at Freud America

Walker Enstad (’17), an alumnus of the International Business program in the International School of Business, shares some insight into life after college and what he enjoyed most about attending Finlandia. While at FinnU, Enstad was a goalie for the Men’s Hockey team, interned in the Marketing & Communications department, and graduated on the Dean’s List with a 3.94 GPA. He currently works as a District Sales Manager for Freud America.

Q: What’s been your career path since graduating from Finlandia? 

Enstad: “I moved to Denver from the UP after receiving a job with Freud America, which is a high-end power tool accessory manufacturer that specializes in things like saw blades. The role I was in was a territory sales manager for the MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing) Channel. I called on customers in New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. It was my responsibility to sell programs and inventory into new and existing accounts, maintain customer relationships and build long-lasting partners.

“After about five months I was presented with the opportunity to take a promotion and move out to San Francisco in the Pro Channel. It’s a similar job description but calls on larger and more important customers such as large lumber yards and hardware stores. My new job title is District Sales Manager in the Pro Channel. I accepted the position and am currently living in San Francisco and doing very well in my current role.”

Q: What do you like best about your position?

Enstad: “My job in outside sales gives me the ability to control my own schedule. In addition to building my own schedule, I also am out working with customers almost every day. I enjoy not being stuck in an office setting. Sales always presents a challenge; there is always another customer and another goal to accomplish. It’s the ongoing chase I love.”

Q: How did you choose to study International Business at Finlandia?

Enstad: “I spoke with a few of the students in the program before I declared my major. Everyone spoke very highly of the classes and professors. I decided that I wanted a degree to allow me to do multiple things in a business atmosphere and would be beneficial in the long run. The International School of Business was a great fit.”

Q: What sports and activities were you involved in on campus?

Enstad: “I played goalie for the men’s ice hockey team the three years I was in attendance. I had a great internship as the marketing intern with the Marketing and Communications office. My big task I worked on was the launch of Finlandia Fridays, a weekly interview series.”

Q: What was your favorite thing about being an International Business student?

Enstad: “The opportunities it made available to me.  I would have never gotten the opportunity to start a web series, to present things to an audience of my superiors, or to travel and study abroad. It was an incredible experience.”

Q: How did Finlandia prepare you for a career in International Business?

Enstad: “Finlandia is a very demanding university that will push you to become not only a better student but a much more mature person. They hold you accountable and expect the best from you. This prepared me immensely moving to a professional environment.”

Q: Any advice for incoming or current students?

Enstad: “Get an internship. That was one of the most beneficial things I did when I was at FinnU. Also take classes you think may not align directly with what you want to do. It will broaden your horizons and help better shape your idea of what you want to do in the future. Taking interviews never hurts and you may stumble upon a great opportunity.”

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add about your time at Finlandia or after? 

Enstad: “Cherish the time while you are there. It goes quick and you’ll be amazed how much you miss the people and atmosphere you’re in.”

NEXT STEPS

• Read more about Walker’s experience while at Finlandia from this 2017 story, Maximizing educational opportunities in the International School of Business
• Learn more about Finlandia’s International Business program.
• Interested in a career in International Business? You an apply free to join our int’l business program at FinnU.
• Learn more about Freud Tools.