For Aidan Moffa, class of 2024, entrepreneurship didn’t stop at graduation, it evolved. Aidan, who majored in Entrepreneurship with a minor in Professional Selling & Sales Management, is now applying his entrepreneurial mindset every day as a sales engineer at Keyence Corporation, a leading provider of automation and sensing technology. From owning his own territory to exploring the potential of AI in business, Aidan brings energy, adaptability, and initiative to everything he does.
We caught up with Aidan to talk about transitioning from college to career, building a life in a new state, and how intrapreneurship keeps him growing.
What are you up to these days?
I’m working full-time at Keyence Corporation as a full sales cycle sales engineer, covering a territory in North Carolina. I’ve been here for just over a year now. Outside of work, I’m passionate about health and fitness, cooking, golf, the shooting range, travel, and I’m really interested in how AI is shaping the future of business.
Tell us about your role and how you are bringing innovation or entrepreneurial thinking to your company.
At Keyence, I’m fully responsible for my territory from start to finish: cold calling, product demos, closing deals, and post-sale support. Because I’m essentially running a mini-business within a much larger company, every part of my job requires entrepreneurial thinking. No one’s going to build the territory for me. I have to be proactive, consistent, and strategic.
One thing I learned quickly: you need to listen more than you talk. Early on, I sometimes got caught up in giving the perfect demo or chasing an exciting deal, but I wasn’t truly listening to the customer. I started asking better questions, digging into their processes, and identifying root problems. That’s when everything changed. It reminded me of what we were taught at Horn: know the customer, not just the product.
What was the transition like from college life to full-time work?
Honestly, it was one of the biggest personal challenges I’ve faced. I went from being a full-time student and working part-time as a server, surrounded by friends 24/7, to working full-time in sales in North Carolina, where I didn’t know anyone. It took time to adjust.
What helped me get through it was staying connected, talking to friends, family, and coworkers, and asking for advice on how to adapt. For students reading this: the transition out of college can be tough if you don’t prepare for it, but don’t let that scare you. If you want to move to a new place or take on a demanding job, go for it. You grow by getting uncomfortable.
What inspired you to pursue this path within an established company?
I actually interned at Keyence while still at UD and was immediately impressed by the people and the culture. Everyone I met was driven and invested in personal and professional growth. The company gave me ownership over my role, which was huge for me. It felt like a place where I could really grow and apply what I’d learned as an entrepreneur, even within a corporate environment. I am extremely blessed and grateful for the opportunity that my company has provided me coming right out of college.
What’s been a highlight or proud moment in your role?
Some people in my role would say their biggest sale, which I can agree is very exciting. However, the highlight of my career at Keyence so far was when I received the Collaboration Champion award for 1Q25. To be seen for something that I didn’t know was a goal to achieve, it was definitely a happy surprise to be shared with my colleagues.
How did your time at UD and Horn Entrepreneurship shape the way you approach your career?
Horn helped me build a growth mindset and taught me how to adapt quickly, solve problems, and carry myself professionally. Programs like Summer Founders, Pitch Party, VentureOn, and being a Siegfried Fellow gave me hands-on experience in what it means to take initiative and own your path.
In addition, the friends and relationships I made at UD shaped my life in ways I never expected. I’m still leaning on those connections for advice and support, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.
What advice would you give to students or young alumni who want to be entrepreneurial within an organization?
Find your passion or interest, and if you can’t figure those out (which was me in college), then figure out what you're good at and where you want to improve. There will be times in your life when you discover something you really enjoy, only to realize it’s not quite what you imagined. And that’s okay. What matters most is your consistency and willingness to learn. Show up early (on time is early!), ask questions, and push yourself to do the things you know you should (even when you don’t feel like it). Those small efforts can create big changes over time.
Also, talk to others. It falls in line with asking questions. Don’t be afraid to reach out to an old friend, former professor, or even a colleague you don’t know very well. You never know what opportunities can come from a conversation.
What’s next for you—any exciting projects, goals, or future plans?
I’m digging deeper into AI. I believe that AI will shape the future of business, however, the majority of businesses are not utilizing the tool to its fullest extent. I’m interested in learning how businesses can use AI more effectively.
My future goals for myself are to open my own gym and potentially start an AI business (if I can find how I want to utilize the tool for real business applications).
About Horn Entrepreneurship
Horn Entrepreneurship serves as the creative engine for entrepreneurship education and advancement at the University of Delaware. Currently ranked among the best entrepreneurship programs in the US, Horn Entrepreneurship was built and is actively supported by successful entrepreneurs, empowering aspiring innovators as they pursue new ideas for a better world.
