From student-consultant to project adviser, alumnus gives back with USD’s Coyote Business Consulting

May 27, 2025

This piece is sponsored by the University of South Dakota.

University of South Dakota alumnus Trevor Sinclair, who graduated in 2024, gained invaluable experience through Coyote Business Consulting. Now, as an associate financial adviser at Elgethun Capital Management, he’s helping the next generation of students access the same opportunities that helped shape his own career path.

Driven by a desire to make the most of his college years, Sinclair immersed himself in campus involvement.

In addition to competing on the men’s swimming and diving team, Sinclair could be found leading Coyote Crazies, holding roles in the Student Government Association and helping offices and departments like the Office of Outreach & Multicultural Affairs, Athletics and Marketing Communications & University Relations.

As a busy economics and data analytics student-athlete with a packed schedule, Sinclair didn’t have the time to take on an internship. But he still wanted real-world experience that could help stack his resume.

The Beacom School of Business’ Coyote Business Consulting program presented Sinclair with the ideal opportunity.

“Coyote Business Consulting allowed me to work directly with real businesses and business owners in South Dakota while still staying involved on campus,” Sinclair said. “It gave me a way to earn income and gain experience that would set me apart after graduation.”

Pairing student teams with South Dakota businesses, Coyote Business Consulting serves a dual purpose – connecting businesses with motivated student-consultants to solve a critical problem for their organization and providing those students with hands-on experience and financial support.

Sinclair worked on two major projects through Coyote Business Consulting. In the spring of 2023, he worked with Fernson Brewing Co. in Sioux Falls on a marketing initiative and Google Analytics – projects that allowed him to combine his creative instincts with his analytical training.

The next semester, Sinclair worked with Sanford Sports and USD alumnus Steve Young, who earned his bachelor’s degree  in 2001 and his master’s in 2003, on a large-scale economic study examining the impact of Sanford’s youth sports offerings.

“It was really cool to work with a USD alum,” Sinclair said. “Steve was very engaged and interested in how data could help them advocate for more support, attract more tournaments and better understand their economic footprint.”

Sinclair credits his USD experience – and the connections he made through the Coyote network – with setting the foundation to his career.

His introduction to Elgethun Capital Management came through the President’s Senior Leadership Institute at USD, where he met his now-boss, Conrad Adam, a 2018 USD graduate, during an event in which Adam was a panelist.

Additionally, Sinclair met ECM president and owner John Barker, a 2007 USD graduate, through Coyote Athletics.

“All roads to my current job led through USD,” Sinclair said. “I’m very grateful for the university.”

Now on the other side of the table, Sinclair served as adviser to the ECM-sponsored Coyote Business Consulting project this spring. He collaborated with Beacom School of Business students on marketing and data analytics projects for the investment firm, offering them not only mentorship but also an insight into life after graduation.

“We wanted to tap into the expertise of Beacom’s marketing and analytics students,” Sinclair said. “The students helped us think critically about how we market our services and how we can better use data to serve our clients.”

For Sinclair, giving back to Coyote Business Consulting has been a full-circle moment.

“It’s a great opportunity to give students what you wish you had when you were in their shoes,” he said. “Real-world experience builds confidence. It shows students they can provide real value to businesses even before they graduate. Programs like Coyote Business Consulting allow students to stack meaningful experience during school.”