Derrill Miller, J. - 2013 WIU Graduate
College is a time where
we go into a new life journey not knowing what the future will bring, but it’s
always best to know that with hard work, a vision, mission, and dedication the
world will open up and give you great things.
When I first started college I never imagined the road I would travel.
The start of my second semester of my sophomore year I was selected to travel
with 20 other college students on an all expense paid trip to South Africa with
Coca-Cola, that introduced me to a new culture and experience.
While on the trip The
Coca-Cola team became family and vowed to help us reach our goals for the near
future. As my internship came around for graduation, I called those at Coca-Cola and
expressed how I needed to fulfill a requirement for school, and they made it
happen. The summer of 2012 I moved to
Atlanta, GA to intern as a Coke Ambassador that gave me hands on experience and
knowledge in a rich growing company. I had the opportunity to learn the history
of Coca-Cola, interact with “guests” as they visited The World of Coca-Cola
attractions, and even help with major corporate events. Once my internship ended, I knew I wanted to be a
part of this amazing company and team.
In the start of 2013, I
started my research on finding the best position that I knew I could excel at,
that position was for an assistant event planner for a new marketing project
Coca-Cola started in New York City. It
was a process in receiving the job, but I kept an open mind and within a mater
of time I was offered the position as assistant event planner for Coca-Cola in New
York City. I’m excited and scared at the same time, but with the help of WIU
Career Services and my mentors I know I’m prepared to take on New York and this
exciting start doing what I love.
My wish is that every
student takes on every opportunity that comes knocking, enjoy it, use it, and
build from it. I never knew this experience would have turned into my first
career after college.
