Deanna Bowden
Account Manager
Duke Energy
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
First I took a co-op job at Duke Energy during my college experience.
Then I graduated during a recession. Due to my co-op I was able to get a job at Duke Energy.
Then I started working on projects for large customers and loved it.
Then I interviewed for an Account Manager job. I was told I needed business experience.
Then I signed up to get my MBA and took a technical job in the Account Manager organization.
Then I took a job creating products for Account Managers to sell. I fell in love with Project Mgmt.
Then I realized I missed working with large customers after working with residential customers.
I accepted an Account Manager job about 4 years ago.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Account Manager
I help large industrial and commercial customers become as energy efficient as possible.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Business
Engineering
Accomplishing Goals
Day to Day
I drive to a customer location to meet with them. I listen to their concerns, wants and needs and try to provide them with the best solution available at Duke Energy. Often I will tour the plant and look at their machinery and processes used to make their products. It gives you a great appreciation for what goes into making things we use every day. After the meeting I go to my office and complete the tasks requested of me at the meeting. This can include bringing others at Duke Energy to help.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
Determine if you like Math, Science and problem solving. Talk to your guidance counselor at school and other adults to see if you can talk to and shadow several different engineers / account managers to see if this is something you would like to do. Determine if you like customer service, i.e. working with people.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Parents:
"I never thought you would be a good engineer."
Challenges I Overcame
Working Mother
