CAREER ENABLEMENT
CAREERS SPOTLIGHT
Darrien Patterson joined Advance in 2017 as part of the strategy and transformation team. With a background in market research and corporate development, he quickly excelled by learning the business and the industry, while building strong working relationships with his colleagues. Though he enjoyed his work, he yearned to continue to grow his knowledge base, particularly in marketing. He knew that going back to school was an important first step and was waiting for the right moment. In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, the right moment arrived for Darrien to pause his Advance career and pursue an MBA with a concentration in Marketing. He enrolled as a full-time student at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and quickly began broadening his skills, making sure to keep in touch with his many Advance contacts, so the door stayed open to return when he completed his studies. Prior to graduation, Darrien applied for the role that he had long coveted at Advance – senior brand manager for the DieHard business, and he was eagerly accepted. His new hire orientation – revamped since the first time he was hired – provided a great starting point for his re-entry into the company, as he met colleagues from across the business and was immersed in new information about Advance. Whether it was learning more about the company history, Advance’s competitors or the company’s culture, the experience prepared Darrien to hit the ground running. Darrien’s next dream is to become a senior leader within the company, and if the past few years are any indication, he’s already setting the wheels in motion.
DARRIEN PATTERSON SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER YEARS AT ADVANCE: 3 | LOCATION: RALEIGH, NC
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2022 ADVANCE AUTO PARTS CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL REPORT | 18
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