Why did you pick your college major? How did that help lead (or not) to where you are now? I always considered myself an analytical person who loved problem solving and working with numbers. I also had/have a passion for personal finance, so Finance as a major encompassed what I enjoyed doing. I recently pivoted out of the Finance industry into tech, but I still use many of the problem solving and analytical skills I developed in my studies today.
What impact/influence did ZF have on your academic career? Your professional career? ZF was very important for me in developing habits that correlated to having a strong college career. I learned discipline and had a mentor to look up to and lean on for career advice. I lacked the confidence to network early in my college career, however with the guidance from ZF I learned how to effectively connect with recruiters and prospective companies.
What is a misconception that you had as a student about your career and the professional world? That education ends at graduation. One of the most crucial things I learned early on was that continuing education is needed. There are so many different skills that can be learned through LinkedIn Learning, online classes, or even classes at a local college. Evolving my skill set past my college studies has helped me land a position that I never previously thought I had the aptitude for.
Tell us about a time you made yourself proud. Landing my most recent position. I work as a data analyst - a position I never would have seen myself in. I didn’t learn any coding languages in college, however I noticed many of my colleagues at my previous company using SQL. I took courses and self-taught myself SQL, and realized I enjoyed it. Learning that skill set was the biggest factor in landing a position at my dream company.
What hobbies/interests do you have outside of work? Outside of my day-to-day, I also have a passion for health and fitness. I’m currently studying to become a certified nutrition coach through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. I love the idea of helping and motivating people on their health journeys.