Don’t Count Yourself Out
Becoming who you really are
At sixteen, I graduated from high school and headed to New York City for my first full-time job. I thought I was quite mature and independent—and ready to take on the world. My parents couldn’t afford college, and at the time, higher education wasn’t something many girls were encouraged to pursue. So I began building my future the way I knew how: by getting to work.
My first banking job involved filling in wherever I was needed, from the teller line to the office. I loved learning, taking on new responsibilities, and discovering how everything worked. Eventually, I learned to maintain the bank’s mortgage records on enormous paper spreadsheets. Who would have imagined that this sixteen-year-old girl from Brooklyn would one day become a bank senior vice president? Back then, I’m not sure even I could have pictured it.
As my career progressed, I moved among banks, gaining experience in mortgage accounting, collections, student loans, and checking accounts. Each role taught me something new and gave me a stronger foundation for the next opportunity. Then someone suggested I attend college on weekends. I was twenty-six, with ten years of banking experience behind me. I was also married and expecting a child. My life was already full, but I said yes.
Classes met Friday evenings and all day Saturday and Sunday. It was demanding, but I loved it. Two years later, I earned my associate degree with honors. I continued at another college offering weekend classes and earned my bachelor’s degree, also with honors. By then, my son was three, and I was still working in banking. The young girl who had started without a college education was now a graduate with experience, confidence, and much to offer.
Along the way, I discovered a talent for improving processes. I could look at how work was being done and find ways to make it better. That ability led me from process analyst to process manager and opened doors to leadership. Eventually, I found my passion in quality assurance management, helping ensure that software performed as intended. It brought together the things I enjoyed most: finance, technology, problem-solving, and people.
At one point in my career, I was responsible for a team of 1,800 people. That young girl from Brooklyn had become a senior leader. The journey wasn’t without mistakes. I asked countless questions, sometimes got things wrong, and kept learning. I never allowed someone else’s opinion to convince me that I didn’t belong.
Today, I’m retired from banking, but I’m still building, learning, and finding new ways to contribute. Through my nonprofit, I help people experiencing homelessness by providing blankets, hats, socks, gloves, backpacks, and other essentials. It is one way I give back and bring warmth to people facing difficult circumstances.
Through my financial services business, I help people understand investing and plan for their goals. There is tremendous satisfaction in helping someone feel more informed and confident about their financial future. And my website design business has brought me a renewed sense of creativity. I love the design work, but what means the most is helping other business owners present their work proudly and create opportunities to grow.
Throughout my career, I have met people who generously helped me move forward. Their encouragement stayed with me, and I try to offer that same support to others. Success becomes more meaningful when we help someone else succeed, too. Whatever career you are considering—or wherever you find yourself today—don’t count yourself out. Your starting point does not have to define how far you can go. Do your best. Ask questions. Take pride in your work. Be willing to learn, and extend a hand to others along the way. You may discover possibilities you haven’t yet imagined.
But most of all, never forget to walk in peace.
