College Experiences That Helped a Vice President, Head of ESG at Compass Diversified Succeed
Zoe, a Vice President and Head of ESG, credits part-time work throughout college as unexpectedly crucial to career success, gaining "practical experience" that differentiated the professional from peers. This real-world experience, whether through work or volunteering, is highlighted as beneficial, even if balancing studies and employment is challenging.
Practical Experience, Work-Life Balance, Career Preparation, Skill Development, Networking
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Zoe Koskinas
Vice President, Head of ESG
Compass Diversified
University of Western Sydney
UCLA Anderson School of Management - EMBA
Business & Related
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Climate, Environment and Sustainability
Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Gain practical experience through part-time work or volunteering during college.
2. Balance working and studying to develop real-life skills.
3. Real-world experience is highly beneficial for career success and makes you stand out from peers.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
At the time, I didn't realize it was setting me up for success. I didn't purposefully do this, but throughout my whole undergrad, I actually worked.
I know this isn't practical for everybody, and it was part-time. However, because I was working during my undergrad, I gained a lot of skills that set me up for success in my job roles. I not only had my certificate from my studies, but I also had practical experience, which put me ahead of many of my peers.
It's not easy to balance working and studying, but I didn't realize how beneficial this real-life experience would be. So, however you can get that experience, even through volunteering or just a few hours a week at work, I feel it's really beneficial to your success.