INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- Former men's basketball player Joe Benjamin graduated from West Virginia State University in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in Communications. He continued his education at Roskilde University in Denmark where he earned a master's degree in Global Studies and Communications. Currently, Benjamin lives in Copenhagen where he works as Growth Hacker for Coherra Financial Tech, a global data-driven distributor of financial insights via video.

Q: What does your position as a Growth Hacker entail?

A: My position entails bridging the gaps between different departments: marketing, product development, data analysis, sales.

Daily, I work with asset managers and investors to help improve their digital communications.

As a growth hacker, I neither belong to the IT department nor do they work under the marketing or engineering department. My main goal is to make sure that we constantly grow our digital capabilities.

Q: What advice would you give to a current WVSU student-athlete?

A: My main advice to student-athletes at WVSU is to build a network in the field you are studying in. There are a lot of alumni globally. Reach out ASAP and even ask for an internship.

Q: How did your experiences as a student-athlete aid in the path you chose after graduation?

A: The discipline I learned as a student-athlete is still useful to me to this day. I would keep my long-term and short-term goals in check then and still do now. I would constantly check if I am making the necessary steps to become closer to achieving my goals.

Q: What is your fondest memory as a Yellow Jacket?

A: My fondest memory as a Yellow Jacket was knowing that I always had a close bond with my professors and coaches. They were always available to talk when I was in need of career advice or just a pep talk. Knowing that I was always looked after has been my fondest memory as a Yellow Jacket.

Q: What were your greatest athletic and academic achievements during your time at West Virginia State?

A: My greatest athletic achievement as a Yellow Jacket was winning the WVIAC back-to-back, followed by being nationally-ranked in NCAA Division II basketball. I also played in every game during my career at WVSU.

My academic achievements included making the Dean's List for Coach Poore numerous times. I held the highest cumulative GPA during my tenure and won an award for highest GPA at the Big Gains Classic.

Q: What made you decide to attend West Virginia State?

A: Coach Poore. I was about to go out of state and sign days before. However, the coaching staff welcomed me and treated me like I was already family. This is the main reason why I chose to attend West Virginia State.

Q: What did you enjoy most about your time spent at West Virginia State? 

A: The access to practical knowledge when it came to learning from our classes. I didn't know how much it would pay off when I started my career in the office.

Also, personal relationships with the whole athletics department, understanding their stories, and building bonds with them all. It didn't matter if you were a football, volleyball, tennis, or track and field athlete. I always loved those get-togethers.

Q: Is there an interesting or funny story that stands out to you when recalling your time spent at WVSU?

A: It was interesting to be able to meet Earl Lloyd and have him give us a pep talk about playing and being professional.

The funniest and most humbling story was my team's experience at the Yellow Jacket cafe. We had to learn how to appreciate that everything we're given could be taken away.

The story is that we as a group of young men embarrassed our coach and program while dining out. The very next day, our very nice locker room was stripped out of all luxuries and we had to earn them back one item at a time. Meanwhile, we had to learn how to serve food to each other in order to gain the privilege of dining out as a team again. To this day, I treat everyone who serves food at all establishments with the utmost respect and tip very well.



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