The dream of many an Aquinas student is to graduate and move directly into a successful career. However, most students would acknowledge that such a dream does not seem entirely realistic. 2012 Aquinas alumnus, Eric Saigeon, is evidence that such success is a real possibility for those who are willing to take initiative when Aquinas offers them opportunities to network and step out into the business world.

The sustainable business program drew Saigeon to Aquinas College after two years at Grand Rapids Community College. Already interested in environmental issues and sustainable practices, Saigeon was thrilled to come across Aquinas’ unique program so nearby. “This program was one of the first in the country and it’s really robust,” Saigeon said. “I found it in my own backyard.”

In his capstone class, Saigeon was presented with an opportunity that would prove to be far greater than anyone expected. Representatives of Intertek came to introduce the class to their international company. It was unclear how Saigeon’s degree could fit into this company which provides auditing, product testing, and electronic certification services among others. Intertek had shown interest, however, so Saigeon approached the representatives to find out more. His efforts resulted in a twelve credit internship that summer.

During this internship in 2012, Saigeon worked on an electronics recycling program that he would maintain in his career at Intertek. Part of the program was focused on recycling the remains of product tests for electronics. Most tests ended up with the product being smashed and thrown away, so the recycling program sought to recycle or reuse those parts. Saigeon also opened it to the community, offering free electronics recycling.

Despite this internship, Intertek did not have a position that suited Saigeon’s Sustainable Business degree, so he took a job in furniture testing. It was “what you would imagine a mad-science laboratory of IKEA furniture,” Saigeon said. The lab would take a piece of furniture, such as a rolling bed, and see what it would take to destroy it. Saigeon couldn’t help but enjoy the work. “Did I go into the wrong profession because I like to break stuff?” he said jokingly. In this job, Saigeon had managers who allowed him to do sustainability work on the side.

Eventually, Saigeon discovered that Intertek did have a sustainability person in London. With his help, Saigeon created the position he has today - Sustainability Manager, USA and Canada. It was not a straightforward choice for Saigeon. At the same time that he was given the opportunity to create his own job, he was also offered a sales job that would be secure but had no relation to his field of study. The sales position was tempting because Saigeon had to consider his wife, Michelle, and their new baby, Siena. With Michelle’s encouragement to follow his passions, Saigeon took the plunge, wrote his own job description, and began the work in June of 2013. In the future, he hopes to develop his position into an entire department. In the meantime, Saigeon works directly with companies who are increasingly concerned with environmental sustainability.

Saigeon anticipates numerous opportunities for future Sustainable Business students. “Don’t be afraid to ask the questions or ask for opportunity,” he advises, reflecting on his experience. Saigeon was the only one in his class to approach the representatives from Intertek. Even though it seemed an unlikely fit, his professors had brought the company in to speak for a reason. Open doors to success are out there and, as Saigeon sees it, “Aquinas put that door right in front of the classroom.”