Her Story
About Amber
I started my career in the restaurant industry at the very bottom, dishwashing, then moved to busing and food running, and eventually became a lead server at a fine dining restaurant for a few years. That experience taught me a lot about communication, which became the focus of my career path. I majored in communications at Washington State University and then moved into the nonprofit sector, working for both Amnesty International and Greenpeace in canvassing, brand ambassador, and communication specialist roles. I've always wanted to do something with helping people while using my voice to do that, and I really found that in those careers. Now I'm a lead guest service representative at State House Holdings, where I provide oversight of the daily operations of all staff, talk to clients about new merchandise we have in stock, and update them on any new policies within the store. I'm pretty similar to how I am in real life as I am at work - I don't really find the need to bend over backwards and change myself too much, because people either just don't even care or don't like it, so there's no reason to do that.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Amber
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say that authenticity is a really important and meaningful part of communication. You don't have to make anything up, or try to be something that you're not to have a connection with somebody. I'm pretty similar to how I am in real life as I am at work - I don't really find the need to bend over backwards and change myself too much, because people either just don't even care or don't like it, so there's no reason to do that.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Honestly, people have been very bitter lately, and it can make an unfortunate or toxic work environment where everything seems just kind of dull, whether it be the customers or the employees or the staff. I would say just remembering that it's okay to relax and also do your job at the same time, so you don't carry that tension into the workplace, because people feed off of that and you gotta bounce back and forth.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I really try to pride myself on being empathetic and respectful, and I would say those two are the main fundamental aspects of how I go about the world. I would also include a justice aspect, because I definitely have a passion for equality and just people and everyone getting the rights that they deserve, which kind of rolls into empathy and respect on its own. I'm pretty similar to how I am in real life as I am at work - I don't really find the need to bend over backwards and change myself too much.
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