Blaze Silengo

What do you do on a day-to-day basis?

Supply Chain, procurement, asset management business unit functions and management in the Oil and Gas Industry. Buying, selling, procuring, contracting, project planning and supporting personnel is my main focus. Building innovations and process flows are also high priority objectives within most daily tasks.

How did your experience at CMU prepare you for your career?

Well... I would like to boast being a graduate of the last class that walked across the stage as Mesa State College graduate... All jokes aside, there are many teachings and items from my training and exposure in Dr. Morgan Bridge's Business Program that I look back on weekly. They range from how important it is to be clear, concise and succinct in daily business communications, to thinking outside the box and being a catalyst for solutions in everything. 

What was your transition like from being a student to your current career position?

My transition was great. The career fair was my ticket. I studied and prepared for it in my sophomore and junior year. After I received pointers I then tailored my resume and fully participated during my senior year. Once my senior career fair was completed I walked away with a connection and insight to apply for a specific position. This provided me an opportunity to walk across the graduation stage on a sunny Sunday in May and begin my new career that following Monday. While attending CMU, I worked full time in coal mining. My hands-on experience, education and training allowed me to hit the ground running and progress in my career from there. Looking back Woah, what a ride its been!

What do you think set you apart from the other applicants for your current position? 

My ability to draft and present a resume that stuck out at the showcased is ultimately what landed me the initial role. I was also able to showcase numbers focused, and quantitative approaches to questions asked of me during my very harsh interview process.

What advice would you give to incoming college students?

Pay attention and soak up everything you can in all business statistics related courses!! The teachings in those courses are absolutely invaluable to becoming a quick, decisive and confident decision-maker. If you drum up a good idea on one of the entrepreneur projects, take a run at it. The idea I worked on for one of my projects is being carried out today. Some days I look back and wish it was me who took the risk and went for it right out of school. In general, as a student, soak in the days of being trained, create invaluable relationships and never forget how fast it goes by.

Published 10/10/2018