College Experiences That Helped A Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader At Amazon Web Services Succeed

I was always heavily involved, given my extroverted background. I was always very purpose-driven, so I never did anything just for the sake of it. One, I didn't have time. Two, it really came down to what actually drives me and makes me tick.

Throughout college, I was in student government for all four years and became student body president my senior year. During those years, I also served in a variety of other experiences. I was a college ambassador for Cal Poly College of Liberal Arts, president of the Student Philanthropy Council, and vice president of the Undergrad Law Association. I was heavily involved in various capacities. Even before I was an English major, I was a biology major and served on the College of Science and Math College Council.

It was all stuff that gave me drive, purpose, and joy. I truly enjoyed and leveraged college to its full extent. By being involved, I got exposure to so many of my different peers and alumni. I was also on Cal Poly's Foundation board, which is comprised of key alumni, donors, and friends of the university that manage Cal Poly's endowment.

Having exposure to those folks since I was 19 and personal relationships with them allowed them to watch me grow. The opportunity as student body president was amazing, and I still use many of those skills today. This includes people engagement, managing various personalities, and the dynamics and politics that are always involved.

Whatever you feel passionate about, people should get involved. You can continue to do so after college as well. I've been involved in various industry boards and chaired them, as well as continuing to serve my alma mater, Cal Poly. I love giving back and being involved.

When you get involved in different areas, you'll meet people who are like yourself, but also different. You'll share common ground and similar drive and values, which is exciting and fulfilling. It's great to have a variety of friends in different places and spaces, if that appeals to you.

I truly do love life. That may sound a bit corny, but I think there's always so much to do, accomplish, and see. The more you can fulfill your own passion, find it, and listen to your inner voice telling you your purpose, the more you should live that out. I think that will really help evolve your own perspective and life path.