Chris Soloway graduated in 2016 with degrees in management andPhoto of Chris Soloway political science. He now works as a manager for solutions and strategy at XPO Logistics.

Majors: Management and Political Science

Current job: Manager, Solutions and Strategy, for XPO Logistics in High Point, N.C.

Main job responsibilities: I work within our Solutions and Strategy group, which has responsibility for developing all new and existing client solutions for XPO’s Supply Chain business unit (including sales, engineering, pricing, data analytics, contracting, sales support/marketing, and process automation). My focus areas are sales operations and planning, strategic client engagements, partnership development, and an array of special projects in support of senior leadership.

What do you like best about your job?

I most enjoy the variety my job offers, as every day I am faced with a different set of challenges than the day before. Additionally, I am fortunate to work primarily with senior leadership who have many years of experience under their belt working for both XPO and other leading organizations. This has afforded me a rapid education about our business and business in general, which I believe will serve me well in years to come. Lastly, XPO has offered me opportunities and experiences that I don’t believe I could find at many other organizations, which makes me excited to go to work each day and for what the future holds.

What have you been up to since graduating?

After graduation in 2016, I immediately joined XPO as a specialist on our marketing and communications team. After about five months, I moved roles and began working for XPO’s EVP of Solutions and Strategy, and have continued in that role (albeit with a promotion) since then. When I am not working, I try to travel as much as possible (didn’t get a chance to partake in Elon study abroad) and split my time between North Carolina and Washington D.C. where my significant other lives.

How did the Love School of Business prepare you for your career?

I think the LSB does a better job than most at exposing students to a broad range of experiences and information that produces graduates who are well-rounded and prepared for the real world. Professors require real engagement from students, whether it be through presentations, group projects, or general back-and-forth during class. For me, these experiences prepared me to be comfortable with both engaging with senior executives and presenting confidently to internal and client stakeholders. Lastly, the LSB has a roster of professors who are not only great teachers, but great friends and mentors, too. In my post-graduate life, I have been fortunate to be able to rely on many of them for advice and support.

How did Elon’s liberal arts curriculum help strengthen your understanding of your business major and your overall educational experience?

Elon does an incredible job of building well-rounded students through its liberal arts curriculum. Even though my focus was business and political science, I took classes in geology, religion, playwriting – all disciplines that I would have never been exposed to otherwise. The key is that Elon fosters an environment of critical thinking that is transferable to any discipline and any job. For this reason, I would feel confident in changing industries entirely if needed, knowing that Elon gave me the soft skills needed to set me up for success no matter where my career takes me. This to me is the major differentiating factor of an Elon liberal arts education.

What did you enjoy most about being a Love School of Business student?

During my time in the LSB, I most enjoyed the relationships I built with the faculty. It is obvious at first glance that the LSB faculty love teaching and interacting with students, and I was always appreciative of their willingness to make themselves available to students for office hours, breakfast, lunch, or any other time of the day. The professors made attending class and working through the curriculum both challenging and rewarding – and genuinely fun. I will always be thankful for the learning experience I was given in the LSB and look forward to maintaining relationships with many of my professors for years to come.

What advice do you have for current Love School of Business students?

Make the time and the effort to build a relationship with your professors. This will help you academically, personally, and in your post-graduate life. Choose the extracurriculars that you are passionate about and get heavily involved. You are incredibly fortunate to attend Elon and be a part of the LSB. Make the most of it!

Elon Activities

  • Delta Upsilon Fraternity, VP of Academic Excellence
  • Society for Human Resource Management, Treasurer
  • EV! Coaches
  • Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society
  • Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
  • Sigma Iota Epsilon Management Fraternity
  • Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society

Internships

  • XPO Logistics
  • NC GOP

As of 2/2/18