My Career Arc – Shea Kadkhodaian

CareerArc Growth Marketing Specialist Shea Kadkhodaian Shares Her Career Story

What was your very first job?

My first job was working as a sales associate in retail. I always enjoyed talking with people and helping them find the perfect product for them, so the retail industry was a perfect fit.

How did you find your first job?

I was a frequent shopper at the store. I loved all their clothes! I was helping a friend pick out outfits and the manager of the store realized I knew their inventory/brand well, so she came over and started chatting with us. I let her know that I was still in high school so I would only be able to work part-time, but that worked out for their current need, so I ended up filling out a paper application later that afternoon.

What was your most exciting/unique job?

My most unique job was being a personal swim instructor (part-time during the summers). I was a swim coach during the summers for our local swim team and really enjoyed it. Along the way, some parents had asked me if I gave private lessons and I had not really thought about it until then. Turns out, there was quite a high demand for personal lessons. It was a great and fun job. I gave lessons to kids from three years old up to 14 years old. With so many varying ranges of abilities, every session was different! I really enjoyed helping my students tap into their talent and watching their hard work pay off at the swim meets.

What was your most unique or least favorite job duty?

My least favorite job duty would be hosting. I worked as a hostess at a Mexican Restaurant that was quite popular, but the establishment was quite small. Giving people undesirable wait times and seeing their frustration was not my favorite. There were a few times that I wished I could snap my fingers and 10 more tables would appear, but that was just wishful thinking. Lines/wait times are usually not well received, but add in a little bit of hunger and it was the perfect storm for some very unhappy customers.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

I wanted to be a lawyer. I’ve always enjoyed the idea of being a voice for those who didn’t have one, defending what was just, and ensuring that everyone was held to the same standards. The legal system grabbed my attention because I saw so many ways in which it supported our society and how it was the foundation for how we went about our daily lives. Being a part of providing a fair playing field for the public was intriguing to me (even in 1^st grade). I’ve always had an analytical mind, enjoyed reading, as well as finding creative solutions to problems.

What did you go to school for?

I went to school for business management. I’ve always been drawn toward the business world, so it was an easy decision for me.

Describe your career arc.

Retail associate > Assistant Manager > Store Manager > Real Estate Financial Analyst (college)  > Sales Development Representative > SDR Team Lead > Growth Marketing Specialist

What would you do if you could retire today?

I would definitely go back to school. I’d love to get a PhD, and eventually become a college professor. I’m not sure I’ll ever “fully retire.”

What brought you to CareerArc?

When I was looking for a position after college, I knew that I wanted to work for an organization that was innovative. CareerArc came up during my search and after doing some research, I knew that I had found an organization that really cared about people – connecting them with the right job opportunities. I was captivated by CareerArc’s mission! The interview process was nothing short of amazing, so I knew I had found my place.

How do you like working here?

I absolutely LOVE working at CareerArc. Every day I learn something new! Working with this group of people has been a blessing. Not only being a part of this family, but witnessing the creativity that happens every day is something that I am so grateful for. Everyone is passionate about their part in the overall mission of CareerArc, which makes it an incredible organization to work for.