College Experiences That Helped a Director of Operations at a Carbon Sequestration Company Succeed
Emilie's undergraduate success stemmed from cultivating "a natural, authentic curiosity" and "learning how to learn," actively exploring this through diverse coursework and internships. The strong network of friends built during this time also provided valuable career perspective, demonstrating the myriad paths a degree can unlock.
Curiosity, Learning, Networking, Career Exploration, Internships
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Emilie Wood
Director of Operations
Carbon Sequestration Company
UC Santa Barbara
n/a
Environmental & Related Sciences
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management
Operations and Project Management
Honors Student
Video Highlights
1. Develop strong learning and curiosity skills: Employers value candidates who are eager to learn and adapt, more so than prior expertise.
2. Build a professional network: Connecting with peers and maintaining relationships can expose you to diverse career paths and opportunities.
3. Explore different avenues to learn: Utilize various resources such as classes, internships, and programs to broaden your understanding and interests.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I think the most important thing I did in undergrad, I think of two things actually. One is I honestly learned how to learn and I learned how to be curious. I think that's something that's really hard to fake.
Most companies want someone who is curious about what they're doing and interested in learning. They are not looking to hire experts, especially folks out of college.
If you can genuinely share your interest in what they do, their product, or how they're structured, and you're excited to learn, people are really attracted to that. They are interested in bringing people into their organization who have that natural, authentic curiosity. I was able to explore a lot of that in college through different classes, internships, or programs.
The other thing that set me up in my career is the friends I made in school. A lot of us are still in contact. Even people within my same major are doing so many different types of things, and it's taught me a lot about the many different ways there are to live a life.
Having that perspective and exposure through my friends and the network I made at school has helped me understand what's possible for me to do in my career as well. So, how to learn and who you're with.