Her Story
About Brenda
I have an associate's degree in applied business from Sinclair State, where I entered their co-op program and started working first, then going to school in a 10 weeks on, 10 weeks off rotation. I graduated with a 3.5 average after 2 years. I've had an array of jobs through the years, just kind of stair-stepping my way up. I worked in the Department of Developmental Disabilities for 10 years until November 2025, where I served as an administrative assistant and HR assistant. I handled employee relations, onboarded employees through Paylocity, managed all front office operations including ordering supplies, maintaining equipment, and greeting visitors. I was the first point of contact for any issues and bridged the gap between our front line and administrative side. I'm a notary public and earned Most Valuable Receptionist and a Client Satisfaction Award. I took mediation training which helped me deal with people and work through problems in both professional and personal life. I'm currently unemployed and looking for a new position.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Brenda
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my hard work and my willingness to move forward, regardless of some of the outcomes. I'm very positive, and I'm a believer in Christ. I think those things have helped me along the way. I just keep working on the skills that I have and just be a better version of myself, and keep working towards that.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to just keep working on the skills that you have, and just be a better version of yourself. And keep working towards that.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Believe in yourself, and don't sell yourself short. Keep your head up and believe in yourself, because you can do it. There's gonna be obstacles, everyone falls down, but you just get up, brush yourself off, and go forward. And keep as positive as you can. That's very, very helpful.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Some of the challenges are employee relations, making sure that you're understood instead of not understood. I think sometimes that's the biggest challenge for almost anyone, like if you're communicating something and it's taken wrong, that's a source of stress. I try to work through those things, any confrontations that come along, just work through them. I think communication is a big tool, and especially if it's good communication, it certainly has helped me through hard times and good times.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
God is first, family is second, work and other activities are third, fourth, fifth. One of my passions is clogging. I've been clogging for the last 25 years, and we perform publicly in shows here and there. That's been a lot of fun for me, and it's a good outlet. It's good family fun, so it's something I can share with friends and family.
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