College Experiences That Helped A Managing Director At Compass Diversified Succeed
Katharine's well-rounded undergraduate education, including minors in business, communications, and psychology, provided a strong foundation for their career. The initiative Katharine demonstrated by starting an advertising club and the commitment shown through four years on the crew team highlighted teamwork, hard work, and reliability—attributes that helped differentiate Katharine and ultimately contributed to their success as a Managing Director/Head of Business Development.
Teamwork, Initiative, Communication, Commitment, Leadership
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Katharine (Katie) Melzer
Managing Director/Head of Business Development
Compass Diversified
University of Michigan
UCLA Anderson School of Management - MBA
Business Management & Admin
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Business Strategy
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Katharine's well-rounded undergraduate education, including minors in business, communications, and psychology, provided a strong foundation for understanding the multifaceted nature of business, including its human element.
2. Starting an advertising club at her university demonstrated Katharine's initiative and leadership skills, highlighting her proactive approach to problem-solving and career development.
3. Her four-year commitment to the crew team showcased Katharine's teamwork, dedication, accountability, and reliability—qualities highly valued in professional settings.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
In undergrad, I had three different minors that I felt gave me a well-rounded education. It wasn't just business; I got to explore the communication and the numerical sides of business.
Psychology was also one of my minors. So much of business involves understanding people, working with teams, and recognizing the significant psychological component that many people miss when they're solely focused on finance or business.
I'm very pleased with my well-rounded education, even though I didn't fully appreciate it at the time. I initially thought I wanted to go into advertising, but there wasn't an advertising club or program at the University of Michigan.
I approached my advisor about starting an advertising club. She suggested posting online to gauge interest. In the first year, 45 members wanted to join.
I used this as an example because I was interested in something not offered by the school. I took the initiative and made it happen. I believe initiative is a really important aspect, not just in this role, but in many careers.
I was also on the crew team for four years. When looking for jobs, this really stood out on my resume as evidence that I'm a team player, understand hard work, and commitment.
Being on the crew team means early mornings and relying on your boat members. If one person doesn't show up, the boat doesn't go out. I learned about accountability, which made a huge difference.
This came through when I was looking for jobs, helping to differentiate me from other candidates. It demonstrated that I'm hardworking, team-oriented, willing to put in the time, and reliable.
The advertising club showed that I'm willing to go the extra mile to make things happen, especially when it's not easy. I can go out and get what I want and create it.