My Career Journey

In the past five years in tech, I have been fortunate to have countless opportunities to showcase my creativity and engage in interesting projects. Through collaboration with cross-functional teams, I have delivered high-quality content and experiences, which has challenged me to continuously grow and learn from my mistakes. Despite some difficult circumstances, I have maintained a positive attitude and am proud of how far I have come. I am excited and eager to take on new challenges and continue growing in my field.

Transitioning to Tech

Transitioning from catering & hospitality into tech was a change I was eager to make. Despite my lack of office experience, I used my competencies to make up for it. To gain experience, I signed up for a two-week assignment at Blend Labs and was hired full-time as a facilities coordinator.

I approached my role with a business mindset, providing Blend Labs with concierge service and quickly moving up to take over the food and beverage program and on-site events. By implementing creative ideas and efficient processes, I was able to increase employee satisfaction and engagement. For example, I developed a new menu for the cafeteria that focused on healthy and diverse options and cut down on food waste by packaging leftovers and repurposing perishable items.

Tech Around the Table

The first time I stayed late enough for dinner, I was touched by the scene of all these people talking and laughing over a meal. I thought to myself, “How many of these people would otherwise be eating alone?” Gathering around the dinner table can act as a place of community, and sharing a meal is a great way for people to get to know each other and catch up on the events of the day. It also offers opportunities for employees to easily build friendships across teams and meet people they otherwise might not encounter.

Josephine’s Catering & Concessions

Owning and operating Josephine’s Catering & Concessions was a fantastically humbling experience. I made many mistakes and learned a lot from them. Despite the messes I made, I found myself held to a higher level of accountability and discipline than my graduate school experience had prepared me for.

Through this experience, I learned the importance of adaptability, perseverance, and creativity. I had to constantly adapt to unexpected challenges, persevere through difficult times, and think creatively to stand out in a competitive market. Wearing a 50’s costume to draw attention to my business was just one example of the many creative solutions I came up with.

Overall, owning a small business taught me a lot about myself and what I am capable of. I am grateful for the experience and am excited to apply what I learned to future endeavors.