College Experiences That Helped a Chief of Staff at Kevin's Natural Foods Succeed
Kaylie, Chief of Staff at Kevin's Natural Foods, prioritized work experience during college, foregoing a traditional campus life to work "all hours of the day" and complete a degree in three and a half years. This intense approach, while not recommended for everyone, provided invaluable real-world experience, enabling Kaylie to confidently handle demanding work situations like "putting a deck together at nine o'clock at night," which directly benefits their current role.
Work Experience, Time Management, Dedication, Hard Work, Goal-Oriented
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Kaylie Layman
Chief of Staff
Kevin's Natural Foods
California State University, Stanislaus
Business Management & Admin
Food, Beverages & Alcohol
Human Resources (HR)
Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Prioritize work experience alongside academics: Kaylie emphasizes the value of gaining practical experience during college, even if it means working long hours and foregoing traditional college experiences. She highlights the benefits of this approach for real-world preparedness and its positive impact on her career.
2. Time management and dedication: Kaylie's commitment to completing her degree in three and a half years while working full-time demonstrates exceptional time management skills and dedication. This is a valuable asset in any career, particularly in fast-paced environments.
3. Embrace challenges and hard work: Kaylie's experience of balancing work and studies showcases her ability to handle demanding situations and persevere through challenges. This resilience is a key quality for success in any professional field, especially one requiring long hours and quick turnaround times.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I'm not saying I recommend this, but it majorly helped me. I didn't have a typical college experience.
I didn't live on campus, and I didn't really participate in any sports or extracurricular activities. I was on some boards and attended some functions, but I really put my head down.
I told myself I was going to get through college in three and a half years and work my way through, gaining experience alongside my education. That way, when I finished college, I wouldn't have zero experience.
I really put my head down and worked all the hours I wasn't in class. I worked an eight-hour shift during the day and then went to night classes. It was really hard work, but it was rewarding.
I've seen the benefits of taking that route in my day-to-day job. It sets you up for real-life situations. When I have to put a deck together at nine o'clock at night for the next day, I'm used to it; I can handle those hours.
So, I really just dove in and made sure to get as much work experience as I possibly could while in college. I'd say that's a big success.