Joseph B. Guthrie

I am a 1974 graduate of West Side High School and a graduate of Howard University. I am the youngest of the five children of Willie and Mary and to say that I am the most rebellious would be an understatement. My path to what many would deem successful was certainly not as clear cut and expected as my more heralded brothers and sisters. One might say I was a bird of a different flock, the white sheep of the family, or even a late bloomer. I own it all. I am who I am.

I would never call myself an exceptional student in high school or at Howard, well at least not until my last year when I finished with a 3.6 GPA.  One might say it took me that long to realize that my academic achievements could be directly related to my future prospects.  In many respects my path might be more comparable to the young people we strive help.  If I can do it, so can you!

Upon graduation I decided to return to the Chicago area where I had spent two summers working for the Chicago Transit Authority.  I applied for a number of positions and accepted the one that offered the most money, as an Inside Sales Rep for Central Steel and Wire Company, a fairly large steel distributor.  Of the 60 sales reps only 2 were Black, me and one other bow tie and loafer wearing so called brother.  Even though it took me a while to see the light regarding academic prowess, now it was about money and my eyes were so wide open I rarely blinked.  The upper management of the company revealed immediately that racial components were the law of the land. It was time to go!

There was no Indeed.com, Linkedin, or even a Ziprecruiter wannabe. WTH, there was no internet! There were the classified ads in the newspaper and that’s where I saw it…….an ad for an Outside Sales Rep for a consumer products company!  At this point they didn’t interview me, I interviewed them!  I’d learned one of the keys to success.  Preparation breeds, in fact, exudes confidence.  I went from Sales Rep to Retail Sales Manager, to Key Account Manager, to Midwest Regional Sales Manager within 5 years.  Then the bottom fell out!  The company went broker and laid off the entire sales team.

I recall I was out of work for about 3 months when I ran into a pharmaceutical rep in Walgreens.  After talking to him and doing some research it seemed like a great opportunity.  As I was now a professional interviewer, it didn’t take long.  I was hired by Syntex Pharmaceuticals for the Chgo South territory consulting with physicians and hospitals on treatment options for various disease states.  I’ve held a number of sales, training, and management positions throughout a career that’s allowed me to comfortably take care of my family.  Currently, I am Senior Executive Sales Consultant for Viatris Pharmaceuticals, a Division of Pfizer.

I’ve always sought to talk to and advise young people on maximizing their potential.  I am cofounder of Lake Effect Men’s Club (LEMC), an organization stemming from basketball buddies that seek to work with youth through mentoring programs and access to positive influences.

I would be remiss if I didn’t add that my success wasn’t a given.  It took me time to realize that education, preparation, effort, morality, and consistency were key factors that will determine your destiny and its okay to have help.  In fact, each of my brothers and sisters played a pivotal role in the success I’ve had to date.

If I can do it, you can do it.