Courtney Huels

I think a big thing is connections - meeting people and making the right connections. Our network isn't going to build itself, and really how I was able to get my initial job was through people I had met. I took advantage of opportunities that other people didn't. I went to a career fair at surrounding schools when Mizzou had opened up their business school career fair to Stevens, and it was just like a snowy day, bad weather, and I was the only one that decided to tackle that and go out there. Attending things that maybe other people wouldn't, and making connections - a girl that was on my tennis team and I went to college with, I got her the job at Macy's, and then she got me a job at FTL, helped make that connection. So really how I've ended up where I was is taking advantage of opportunities that other people didn't, making connections, and knowing the audience that I'm working with as well. Really tailoring the conversation to the person that I'm trying to work with. Everyone is different, and every conversation needs to be treated uniquely as well.

I would say talk to everyone and build connections. You never know who you're gonna run into again, so keep your options open. There's just so many opportunities to meet people, even when you don't expect that you could, and you never know what types of doors that other things will open in the future. Stay true to yourself and set boundaries for yourself. I think that's really important in this industry. Have confidence in your expertise and be a lifelong learner.

Definitely integrity is huge for me. I think people just need to be honest. I hate when people try to floss things, or say things when they don't know the answer - just say I don't know. I think integrity is huge. And showing up authentically, being genuine, I think that's really important. Being intentional with words - I think I've learned over time just listening rather than speaking, and when I do speak, make sure that it's intentional.