Pat Bodame spent 10 years in Parks and Recreation with the State of Illinois.

In fact, he graduated from Illinois State University with his bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management and master’s degree in Sports Management.

So how did he get to his current career as a Molecular Diagnostic Consultant with BD, selling the BD MAX^TM System, BD Affirm^TM, and BD Viper^TM med tech solutions?

Encouragement from a Friend and the Inside Sales Program

Through a long-standing friendship with someone who worked at BD Pat learned bits and pieces about the company over the years.

“Whenever my wife and I would hang out with my friend and his wife, he would share what working in Sales was like for the company. He encouraged me to check into it as a next career move. I applied to the Inside Sales Program, and after progressing through the company’s standard recruiting process, and was accepted into the program in January 2022,” explained Pat. “I started in the BD V. Mueller business and then moved over to supporting women’s health products during my first year, and then was promoted in January 2024 into my current role. It’s been a fantastic move and not one I would have imagined a decade ago.”

Duke University and Lessons in Resourcefulness

Pat is a die-hard Duke University baseball fan and basketball fan in general. He is also a very active sports dad. “I coached high school basketball and travel baseball for my two boys – I actually had to get an app on my phone to keep schedules straight because it gets really busy at times,” said Patrick. “Sports taught me a lot growing up – resiliency, teamwork, hard work, striving to reach a goal – all the things that you also need to be successful in Sales.”

He also says that sales are about being resourceful and leaning on the team to help get the sale done – and done well.

“I know some people might think sales is a scary career but at the end of the day, it’s just about customer service – knowing and anticipating what your customers need. I think about it as problem-solving at its best – how can I help the customer solve an issue they are having? With capital equipment sales, the sales process is inherently longer but it’s also very rewarding when you help your customer and the end patient,” said Pat. “In sales, it’s critical that you are there for your team and your customers and sometimes that means setting aside your needs for a moment to help others.”