From Student Competition to Full-Time Facilities Management Career

How am I going to find a career after college? It’s a question on every student’s mind. Sometimes it feels like an impossible task and other times you meet the right people (like a dedicated recruiter) at the right time.

That’s exactly how it happened for Sodexo Operation Support Specialist Devin Shackelford. 

Devin went to college looking for a career in construction management. Knowing he didn’t want to be a general contractor, it took him some time to decide a path for himself. Halfway through his freshman year, he realized that facilities management was exactly what he was looking for. 

“I liked the concept of being part of an invisible team behind the scenes that helps keep everything going. Sign me up for that! I went through the first couple classes for FM in college and really enjoyed them. I never looked back,” Devin said. 

Two months before graduation, he attended IFMA World Workplace as an IFMA Foundation scholarship recipient, which meant he would be participating in a student competition that involved solving a problem statement and presenting the solution in front of an audience and panel of judges. Little did Devin know that this presentation would be the gateway to finding his full-time career. 

Getting the Full Experience 

As a scholarship recipient from the IFMA Foundation and a senior in college, Devin decided to make the most of the event, saying, “I visited all the companies that I could, volunteered and tried to get the full experience. That included going to talk to the people at the Sodexo booth.” 

When Devin visited the booth, a few members on the Sodexo FM team recognized him from the competition earlier in the day. They said they were impressed with his presentation skills and invited him to talk to one of our recruiters, so he did just that. 

Working with a Recruiter 

“That’s when I met Jen. She was very receptive and interested in my resume, which was a good thing for me. We went over my resume and identified what I was looking for in a career. We stayed in touch and a few weeks later she had something lined up. Unfortunately, the hiring manager did not contact me for an interview.” 

After that, Devin thought, “Ok – that’s it. They lined up one interview and I won’t hear from them again.” But to his surprise, Jen kept in touch. “She said she was not giving up and she’d find me something,” Devin said. 

And Jen did find a position for Devin at a new account in Northern Illinois. He immediately applied, interviewed and was ultimately was hired! 

“I’ve talked to some recruiters and hiring managers where you can tell they’re not very into it or they’re just being polite. I did not get that feeling from Jen. She said she was going to make this work, so I left it in her hands and she did exactly what she said she would do!”  

Sodexo stood out to Devin because of this process. “Unfortunately, I did not receive the same treatment with other companies. I was at a dead end. I would submit my resume online and then never hear from anyone again. That was not the case with Sodexo.” 

Enjoying a New Career 

Devin has now been with Sodexo for over a year and every single day is different for him. 

“One of the things I’ve enjoyed most, which is probably true for most FM positions, is the sheer variety of what we do. Every single day is different. I walk in not knowing what the day will bring. From a fire drill to pest problems or purchasing furniture, each day is different. It keeps anyone from being bored” 

Additionally, Devin felt that Sodexo offered growth and advancement, saying he was impressed by the breadth of the Sodexo portfolio and the many areas of opportunity. 

Considering a Career in FM 

Devin found his passion for FM in college and sees the benefit of being a young professional in the field. “We have an advantage. That is the general willingness to understand and embrace technology. We were raised with computers and had technology growing up. We are open-minded and agile, and we look at things and ask if there’s a better way for it to be done. We just don’t accept the statement, ‘This is how it’s always been.’” 

Additionally, Devin shared some great advice for anyone considering a career in facilities management, stating, “If you’re considering a career in FM, look to see if your college or university has an IFMA or FM-related club and get involved. Attend events. If you can, go to IFMA World Workplace or Facility Fusion. Apply for any FM scholarship and get as much exposure as possible. You’ll create good impressions, show companies what you’re about and competitions will allow you to show off your skills. Also, talk to people at the booths. You’re not going to get far if you don’t try. Talk to everyone you can. Make them see what you can offer.” 

Relocating for Your Career 

Devin spent most his life on the East Coast so when he accepted an offer in Illinois, he knew it may be a difficult change. “One thing I can speak to is the unknown of packing up and moving to a new location. But often, that’s where many opportunities are, so go for it because you may not find what you’re looking for in a nearby area. Sure, it’s difficult at first but once you get a new schedule going, it’s not bad. There’s sort of a liberating independence behind it!” 

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Devin impressed one of our Sodexo Recruitment Managers at IFMA World Workplace prior to COVID-19. Despite this new virtual world, our Sodexo Talent Acquisition team is committed to finding great candidates a home at Sodexo. 

If you’re ready to take the next step in your facilities management career, we invite you to explore our open FM jobs and also to connect with our current Facilities Recruitment Manager Brad Tomaski on LinkedIn!