Young Russert Alumni: Pat Hopkins '18

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Pat Hopkins smiles with a large Pittsburgh backdrop behind him

This series features young alumni from the Russert Department of Communication. Learn more about opportunities in Russert at .

Patrick Hopkins ’18 graduated from ��AV as a communication major, but today, he often finds himself in an operating room during critical times while working as a trauma sales representative at Stryker Three Rivers in the Cleveland Metro territory.

In his current role, Hopkins ensures that orthopaedic trauma surgeons have surgical instruments and implants for surgery on a daily basis. As a sales representative, Hopkins is responsible for logistical delivery of orthopaedic implants and instruments across northeast Ohio while also representing the product in surgery.

Being in an operating room during surgery is an incredible adrenaline rush that I get to experience every day.

During his time at ��AV, Hopkins developed strong communication, marketing and research skills that he uses in the high stakes environment of his field everyday. Classes including market research allowed him to find and understand competitive information in order to overcome objections.

Not only do these skills allow him to be successful in selling products, but his strong ability to remain calm in stressful situations has allowed him to develop and maintain relationships with the surgeons he works closely with every day.

My ��AV experience was incredible. Being surrounded by people who cared about my academic success and personal well being shaped me into the young professional that I am today.

Outside of the classroom, Hopkins interned with Stryker Three Rivers during his junior year, which gave him a glimpse into the medical device industry, and ultimately resulted in his interest and passion for clinical knowledge, operational excellence and customer service.

Prior to starting as a trauma sales representative, Hopkins expanded his knowledge of the industry through trauma, shoulder, and cadaver courses for Stryker representatives and continues to learn and grow in his role with each case.

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