Growing up in Lincoln, Nebraska, as part of an immigrant family, Passmore Mudundulu became inspired by his mother’s work ethic and sacrifice to earn her college degrees, allowing him and his four siblings to remain in the United States. His inspiration to carry forward her will and drive led to success as a sales student and student-athlete at Nebraska, and ultimately, a sales career at General Mills.
“My mom always emphasized the power of education. She not only went back to school to get her associate degree, but she also got her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate. My mom is why I do what I do, and I am blessed to have her as a role model in my life,” said Mudundulu, who graduated with a marketing degree last spring.
Mudundulu competed on the Husker Track and Field team in the triple and long jump, and was named Academic All-Big Ten for 2021 and 2022. He also leaped into sales at the Center of Sales Excellence, which serves all students at the university and is named a top sales program by the Sales Education Foundation.
“It wasn’t until taking Sales Communication (MRKT 257) that I found my true passion. The Center for Sales Excellence provided me with a great network of local sales professionals and numerous sales role-play competitions to prepare me for the professional world,” he said.
His experience in the center led to an internship in Dallas at General Mills, the multinational consumer foods manufacturer known for brands like Betty Crocker, Cheerios and Häagen-Dazs. Assigned a solo sales call, he depended on what he learned from the center’s curriculum to guide him.
“The moment felt nerve-racking in the beginning, but I remember telling myself to just rely on what I learned from the sales center to guide me through this call, and my nerves were eased. The sales center taught me real and relevant skills that I have used in my professional work and will continue to build on for years to come,” Mudundulu said.
That moment is one many students in the center go through, according to Blake Runnalls, assistant professor of marketing, who teaches courses for the center. It was after taking Sales Practicum 1 (MRKT 371) with Runnalls that eventually led to Mudundulu earning the General Mills internship.
“Passmore earned his job at General Mills by being prepared and proactive. Applying the content he learned in MRKT 371, specifically strategically designing his LinkedIn profile, Passmore successfully connected with a university recruiter at General Mills. As they say, the rest is history,” Runnalls said.
As someone who enjoys talking with people and building relationships, Mudundulu explained how his career in sales was the right path for him. Runnalls noted how Mudundulu’s ability to relate to people helps him thrive in sales.
“Passmore’s genuine interest and understanding of social exchange and reciprocity allowed him to excel in alleviating customer buying concerns through his trustworthiness and natural focus on developing and maintaining close, meaningful business relationships,” he said.
Due to his success in the role, he was offered a full-time position, which he started in the summer.
“Selling food is a lot of fun! I have always had a passion for cooking and eating, and I decided to pursue a company that could combine my love for selling and food. I discovered General Mills, and it became my new home quickly,” Mudundulu said.
Learn more about the Center for Sales Excellence by visiting business.unl.edu/research/center-for-sales-excellence/.