College Experiences That Helped A Senior Vice President In Fundraising Consulting Succeed
Polly's undergraduate success stemmed from juggling "a full course load" with employment, fostering crucial time management skills, and a junior year abroad in Argentina. This experience instilled "cultural competency," resourcefulness navigating unfamiliar systems, and a valuable humility, shaping their approach to the professional world.
Time Management, Cultural Competency, Resourcefulness, Humility, Cross-Cultural Communication
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Polly Breit
Senior Vice President
Fundraising Consulting Company
University of Wisconsin, Madison
N/A
Classics, Spanish Literature
Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Consulting
Honors Student
Video Highlights
1. Time management and prioritization skills are crucial for success and can be developed by working while studying.
2. Cultural competency is essential in today's world; studying abroad provides invaluable experience in navigating diverse environments and cultures.
3. Humility and resourcefulness are vital for career success; challenging yourself by stepping outside your comfort zone fosters these important traits.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
Two things come to mind. The first is working while taking a full course load. This was something that was really important.
I learned time management and prioritization, and what it was like to have a really full plate with multiple priorities. I felt like that helped me transition pretty seamlessly into a full-time working environment because I had had that experience from really early on, including during undergraduate.
The second thing I would say is I had the opportunity to study abroad my junior year of college. I lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Learning a foreign language, a culture, and navigating a massive city that I had never been to before taught me a few key things.
One was that no matter what your career is, cultural competency is so essential in the world we live in today. This includes a deep curiosity, respect, understanding, and a sense of humility. I learned that through that experience of living abroad with a family in Argentina.
It also taught me how to navigate complex systems. Anything from transportation to opening a bank account in Buenos Aires was very different than opening a bank account in Denver, Colorado. Learning how to navigate those foreign systems taught me a level of resourcefulness that was really important.
I also came out of that with a deep sense of humility regarding how big this world is and how much I had to learn. As a white, middle-class female, I was in a place where I didn't speak the language and was not from the community. This put into perspective for me how I wanted to treat others and show up in the world. I carry that humility with me today into my work.