What gives me energy
Shared learning and helping others grow:
When placed in my second rotational position, I wasn’t energized by my work. Unsatisfied, I sought to make the monotonous work I was doing as efficient as possible. I began to spend my days in spreadsheets and VBA, turning to Github and Stack Overflow for solutions and tips. Figuring the other people in my program were working similar jobs, I wanted to share what I was learning. I began hosting meetings with my peers. These served as a learning platform for 50 people to share ideas and improve their every-day tasks. When people would follow up with me, I was extremely energized and gratified by the opportunity to help. Not only was I making new friends, building a network, and branding myself, I was directly impacting the business. My role now is more engaging, but I realized how much I’m energized when helping others grow.
Solving technical challenges:
Pairing my intuition and creativity allows me to approach problems differently. When I’m focused on solving a problem, it’s hard for me to stop before arriving at a valid conclusion. I often see time pass without realizing it because I’m so engulfed in the issue. This same obsessive trait presents itself when I create art and work on side projects.
Fields of interest
- Health in Food – I believe that eating healthy is a privilege held by only a small percentage of the world. This is a problem. Those unable to spend the time and money on education and healthy diets are left to less nutritious but convenient alternatives. This health disparity then leads to many other issues. I would love to join a team that aims to educate and provide nutritious and convenient food.
- Environmental Protection and Sustainability – My passion for a sustainable future and protecting the environment was born through my grandmother. She’s a nature loving scientist and gardener who doesn’t waste a thing! She creates multiple uses for every item, extending its intended disposable life. My family always teased her for this frugal approach. As I grew older and became conscious of waste, it resonated with me. We’ve grown into a world of convenience at the expense of the environment. I’d love to join a team focused on tackling sustainability on a macro scale.
- Reusing, Recycling, Composting – An incredibly intriguing challenge is how to make these processes attractive, affordable, profitable, and efficient. Until they are engrained culturally in every socio-economic class, I think we will struggle to progress.
Where I excel
Leadership, technical challenges, adapting to new environments
Following undergrad, I gravitated towards a leadership development program. I wanted to know what leadership looked like in corporate America. Since then, I’ve rotated through three different jobs in three different states, experiencing different businesses, product lines, and leadership styles. I’ve found success along that journey and received improved performance ratings each year. I’ve also received awards this year for leading a project, analyzing/mining data, and improving processes.
Putting it all together
I want to mold the above interests and traits into solving a personally meaningful problem. That can be with a company directly solving those challenges, or with one that supports environmental and health initiatives. I’ll know I’m in the right place if that position allows me to grow and help others along the journey.