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.
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.
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.
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.
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 1st grade). I’ve always had an analytical mind, enjoyed reading, as well as finding creative solutions to problems.
I went to school for business management. I’ve always been drawn toward the business world, so it was an easy decision for me.
Retail associate > Assistant Manager > Store Manager > Real Estate Financial Analyst (college) > Sales Development Representative > SDR Team Lead > Growth Marketing Specialist
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.”
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.
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.