Significant Career Lesson From a Managing Director at Compass Diversified
Katharine's most significant career lesson is "to believe in yourself and to know that you can do it," a lesson particularly relevant given their non-traditional finance background, emphasizing the importance of self-belief and continuous learning through diverse avenues, not solely formal education, to achieve career goals.
Confidence, Overcoming Challenges, Achieving Goals, Motivational Stories, Executive/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. Believe in yourself and your ability to overcome challenges. Katharine emphasizes the importance of self-belief, even when facing self-doubt or lacking a traditional background. She highlights the significance of taking initiative and pursuing opportunities, despite any perceived shortcomings.
2. Don't be afraid to try new things and step outside your comfort zone. Katharine's career path demonstrates the value of pursuing ambitious goals, even if it means venturing into unfamiliar territory. Her willingness to take on new roles and challenges showcases the importance of perseverance and resilience.
3. Embrace continuous learning and intellectual curiosity. Katharine stresses the significance of lifelong learning and acquiring knowledge through diverse avenues, not just formal education. She emphasizes the importance of seeking opportunities for growth and development throughout one's career, which can take many forms beyond traditional academic settings.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
What is one lesson you have learned that has proven significant in your career? That's a good one. It's hard to come up with just one, but I would say the biggest thing I have to remind myself is to believe in myself and know that I can do it.
I know I'm going to figure out a way to do it. I used the example before of not coming from a traditional finance background. I went to an undergraduate university and sat in on classes for free.
I've taken online classes for free on my own just to strengthen my skills. One of the things I think is pretty universal is that you don't always feel like you have the skillset or the know-how, or that you belong in an industry.
My biggest advice is to go for it, because that's what I did. I went for the investment banking role and the private equity role. You don't know unless you give it a shot, and you have to believe in yourself.
Know that everyone else has those same insecurities or uncertainties. You're never going to know unless you give it a try, so always give it a try. As I've said before, always stay intellectually curious. Help out wherever you can learn.
Learning comes in many different forms. It's not just through an undergraduate degree. You can learn in your community, at home, or by volunteering for a nonprofit. There are many ways to learn and grow, so just be open to that for your entire career and your entire life.