College Experiences That Helped A President And CEO At All The Best Coaching Succeed
Jennifer, the President and CEO of All The Best Coaching, emphasized the importance of consistent effort in college, doing "a little bit each day" towards career goals rather than waiting until senior year to panic, along with constant networking, attending professional development events, and initiating informational interviews to plant seeds for future opportunities. Using professors as a resource and having a "generous heart" by volunteering and helping others were also highlighted as crucial elements contributing to success, with benefits that "always come back to you tenfold".
Networking, Informational Interviews, Professional Development, Leadership, Mentorship
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jennifer Guillaumin
President and CEO
All The Best Coaching
University of San Diego
Point Loma Nazarene University, MBA
Business Management & Admin
Coaching, Speaking & Writing
Consulting
Disabled, Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. Consistent effort: Jennifer emphasized doing a little bit each day, whether it was homework or prospecting for jobs, to avoid last-minute panic in the senior year.
2. Networking and informational interviews: She actively networked, attended professional development events, and conducted informational interviews to make connections in the industry. She highlighted using LinkedIn and networking groups to connect with people at target companies and emphasized that people are generally receptive to informational interview requests.
3. Leveraging connections and giving back: Jennifer advised students to utilize professors as a resource for industry knowledge and letters of recommendation. She also stressed the importance of volunteering and helping others, stating that it often leads to unexpected returns.
Transcript
What did you do in college to set you up for success in your career?
I love these questions. I'd say I did a little bit each day, whether it was homework or prospecting for jobs. I tried to stay very consistent with it because it's easy for an undergrad student to wait until senior year and then panic because you're supposed to have a job when you graduate.
You need to be planning a long time before those last few months prior to graduation. So, constantly networking with people, going to networking events, professional development events, and conferences. I did all those things, and that really helped my own leadership and making connections in the industry.
I also did a lot of informational interviews. If there was a job, say I wanted to work at Amen Healthcare and I didn't know anyone there, I'd go on LinkedIn or to a networking group and ask someone to make a connection for me. Then, I'd schedule an informational interview with the hiring manager or one of the executives there.
People are so nice when you ask them for informational interviews. At least in my experience, people are really nice when you approach them. This plants a seed for a future opportunity. So, definitely don't be scared. Take the initiative and reach out for those informational interviews.
Use your professors as a resource because they know a lot about positions in the industry and can help you. A lot of my professors from USD wrote me letters of recommendation for the PhD program and have referred me for other jobs.
Make good use of your connections and be giving of your time. If you have time to volunteer, help someone else in need. It always comes back to you tenfold. Just have that generous heart and a sincere desire to help people, and it'll pay wonders for you.
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