Intern Spotlight: Jared Dodson
Jared Dodson
School/Degree: University of Minnesota | Degree in Computer Science
Internship: Sales Development Representative Intern
Jared is from La Crescent, Minnesota and is currently a junior at the University of Minnesota where he is studying computer science. Outside of school and work, Jared likes to stay active through running and lifting weights.
Why Design Ready Controls Stood Out
While searching for internships that aligned with his goals, Jared said that Design Ready Controls’ Sales Development Representative program immediately stood out to him. He shared that the opportunities that Design Ready Controls offers are parallel to what he hopes to do after graduation. Design Ready Controls surpassed the other internships because, as he put, “the other internships don’t have the structure that you would have post-grad, but Design Ready Controls checks all the boxes.” For Jared, it felt like a place where he could gain meaningful experience and take a step toward his future career.
A Company Built for Growth
By building connections with companies that align with Design Ready Controls, Jared has come to recognize versatility as one of the company’s greatest strengths. He explained that, as industries continue to shift, Design Ready Controls distinguishes itself to serve a diverse range of customers. As Jared put it, “we’re not constrained, which I think is really good for overall growth.” This forward-thinking perspective is what excites him most about being part of a company with such strong potential for the future ahead.
Learning from Leadership
Jared has developed a stronger understanding of how a corporate environment works and how his role fits within it. One aspect of the internship he has appreciated most is the opportunity to work under the Director of Marketing Amanda Gregory. Jared shared that Amanda has been a strong example of hard work and leadership, saying, “she’s awesome, you’ll pick up on it over time how she will be hammering out tasks all day.” Overall, Jared has valued the chance to learn from Amanda and appreciates the positive energy she brings to the work environment.
Bringing Innovation to the Role
As Jared reflects on his time at Design Ready Controls so far, the company’s core value of innovation stands out most to him. He has seen that value come to life in his role as he finds more efficient and creative ways to engage with companies that fit Design Ready Controls. As he explained, “there isn’t a blueprint for it, it is really just constantly testing and seeing how that outreach responds and making adjustments from there.” Overall, Jared enjoys the excitement of his Sales Development Representative role and the opportunity to connect with prospective customers on behalf of the company.
Preparing for What’s Next
After Design Ready Controls, Jared plans to pursue a career in software sales within the tech industry. As he continues working toward his degree and building the technical foundation he needs, he sees his experience at Design Ready Controls as an important step in preparing for a successful future.
