TAKE A DEEPER DIVE INTO SOME OF THE CAREERS THAT ARE OFFERED BY AN AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE IN ENERGY!
Travis | NEBRASKA
Travis works at a cooperative in Nebraska and shares what his experience working as a Petroleum Salesman at the co-op is like.
WHAT DOES A Petroleum Salesman DO?
As a petroleum salesman, I am responsible for maintaining established accounts as well as developing new business opportunities through cold calls and by providing on-site customer service and support.
Describe what your day looks like:
Days can vary depending on the day of the week or time of the season. A typical work day consists of preparing to meet with current customers or prospects, actually meeting with them, and then ending the day or week by preparing follow-ups with those customers or prospects. This could be putting together information our customers want to know or putting together proposals for future customers.
Why did you choose this career?
I’ve had family working for the cooperative for a number of years and had always heard good things. So when I was looking for a change, I decided to check it out. The location was a plus since I grew up in the area.
SHARE SOME KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THE CO-OP AND ENERGY BUSINESS.
By working in the agriculture industry, and more specifically the energy side of the cooperative, I’ve witnessed how much detail our producers pay attention to on their farms. It is exciting to see how much pride they take in their operations. Besides working with farmers, I also enjoy getting to work with commercial businesses from construction companies, implement dealers, vehicle repair shops, schools, city and county departments, and anyone who uses fuel and oil.
We tend to think of the cooperative as an agriculture based business, but with our energy department, we are able to service commercial businesses along with our producers.
What’s something you know about the industry now that you didn’t know when you started, but wish you would have?
I would have to say just how volatile the energy market really is. We all see how gas prices go up and down at the pumps, but to truly get an idea how many little things effect the energy market, whether it be crude, gas, or diesel, was eye opening.
Take a look at actual job openings at one of the largest agricultural cooperatives in the Midwest, Central Valley Ag, to see if there are any jobs that interest you.