Tell us about yourself.
I’m a Nebraska native who loves Fargo, though if it ever snows in June, I’m outta here! I’m a mom of three (9, 6, 3) and a supervisor of 10, so I don’t have a lot of hobbies or extra time. I’ve found some of the best ways of describing what makes me who I am through a variety of great self-discovery tools. In terms of Clifton’s Strengths, I lead with my talents in Execution. I love to see things come together in an effective and efficient way, both at work and at home. In terms of Insights Discovery, I’m a red block who likes things clear and concise, with an underlying blue block that wants to make sure the details are right.
In terms of Enneagram, I’m a classic type 1 and approach the world with a rational, continuous improvement mindset. In terms of Myers Briggs, I’m ESTJ which is a great summary of the highlights above as I see situations realistically and move decisively to create solutions to take care of issues.
What impact did your participation in the program have on you both professionally and personally?
This program is all about self-discovery and with every strength or valuable attribute I listed about myself, there is a challenge on the flip side of it. Thanks in large part to my participation in the program, I’m learning to navigate these challenges to live my best life.
This program is also about community and I certainly feel I have connections with 34 others in a variety of fields, life circumstances, etc. that I can reach out to for anything. In addition to the diverse connections, I’ve found some strong connections to some really amazing moms and working professionals who connect for lunch regularly. Being a relatively new graduate, I’m not completely sure what the actual impact on my trajectory in life will be, but I know for certain it has changed it.
What were some of the most important things you learned?
The value of vulnerability and community are at the top of my list of things I learned. This was learned through some fantastic presenters during the class and with experience as we, as a group of 35, became a small unique community.
What advice would you have for young professionals out there?
As you start out and have the time and energy, work as hard as you can and build a great network.
A part of that working hard should be discovering who you are, what you are good at, and what you value. This type of focus and understanding what fuels you and keeps you motivated will serve you extremely well.
Your network should be inside and outside of your workplace. Don’t be afraid to ask people what they do, what they like, etc. You never know when a true connection will be found.
