Published: August 21, 2008 02:59 pm      

Resident climbs from bottom to the top

A part of 20 under 35, a supplement of The Edmond Sun

EDMOND — Ben Davis, an Edmond resident, graduated from Baylor University with a bachelor’s degree in professional writing thinking he would have no problem finding a job.

“When I graduated from college my first post college job was Subway. I had the assumption that finding a job after graduation would be easy. It was two or three years before I got a job and used my strengths and my degree,” he said.

In college, Davis decided to minor in Spanish after studying in Mexico for a summer. After three months of working at Subway, Davis took a job as a Spanish translator for Oklahoma City Public Schools.

“It was a good opportunity to see life in a different setting,” Davis said.

His big break came when he applied for a writing position for the Department of Wildlife Conservation. While he didn’t get that job, the department did offer him a job as an information specialist.

“My advice would be keep working until you get to where you want to be. It may take a while. That’s OK,” Davis said.

He now does graphic design and layout for the department’s publications. He coordinates two big projects each year, which are hunting and fishing guides. He also occasionally writes articles for different publications.

“I’ve learned the importance of showing respect and gratitude to those who help you accomplish your goals,” Davis said.

Micah Holmes, information supervisor for the Department of Wildlife Conservation, said he hired Davis because he had ambitions and a good attitude.

“Ben’s a friendly and outgoing person,” Holmes said. “His job entails working with a lot of different people and he does that well.”

Davis is a member of Edmond Young Professionals and freelances for the Metro Family Magazine. He has two career goals.

“I would like to spend part of my career overseas working in some other nation,” he said.

Davis said he also would like to author a non-fiction book and have it published. He currently is studying for a master’s degree in professional writing at the University of Oklahoma. Davis said an autobiography about a politician might be an idea for his first book.

The aspiring author attends church at Henderson Hills Baptist Church and is active in the singles group. He will travel to Spain with the church this summer to tutor people who want to learn how to speak English.

He enjoys playing volleyball and recently started running. He recently ran 7.3 miles in the Oklahoma City Relay.

“That was the longest I’ve ever run,” Davis said.