Her Story
About Cynthia
My career journey started with finishing high school and then pursuing a college degree. I got my bachelor's in psychology, and then I took a little break from school because I was trying to figure out my own path in life and what I wanted to do. That led me to go back and get my master's degree in counseling with an emphasis in mental health and wellness and family dynamics, which is what led me to be a school counselor and help kids that way. I worked in various customer service roles throughout my career, and before my current position, I was a school counselor helping kids and also working at a behavioral hospital. Now I'm going on my second year as an account manager, where I manage about 70 different director clubs within my organization. I definitely feel like I can use my counseling degree in my current role because we all need somebody to listen to us and talk us through our day-to-day activities. What inspired me to get into my field was having such a strong customer service background throughout my professional career with all my former employers. I always wanted to be helping people, and that's where I feel like I strive and excel in, just making sure that I'm always helping anyone and anything that I can. The fact that I am needed and helping all these directors with their study clubs and their programs throughout the year is what feels rewarding to me - I'm still helping people, just in a different capacity, every single day.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cynthia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my hard work and dedication, and the goals that I have set up internally for myself - things I wanted to complete and finish within my time frame, and I feel like I've done that. But I also have to credit my family and friends for their support. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today. It's really the combination of my own drive and determination along with having that strong support system around me that has helped me achieve what I have in my career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received would probably be to always listen first. Being a good listener not only helps you understand another person's perspective or opinion on whatever it is they're sharing with you, but I also feel like it's super important to stop and hear what someone is telling you first before we give advice or any type of feedback. Sometimes what that other person really needs is just to be able to vent to you, and I just always remember being told to be an active listener. You don't want to be selective hearing - you want to be an active listener, truly present and engaged with what the other person is saying.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never give up, and always chase your dreams, no matter what they are. Life will have a different path for you, no matter what it is, and sometimes it's a 360, but you just have to keep going, you have to keep pushing forward. Don't be afraid to take chances and take that leap of faith. Follow your gut instinct, whether it comes to speaking to a director, a coordinator, or anyone in general. When it comes to the public speaking aspect of it and making presentations, trust your gut, always remember to breathe, and it's gonna be okay.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I would probably say to not be afraid to take chances and to just take that leap of faith. Follow your gut instinct, whether it is when it comes to speaking to a director or a coordinator or anyone in general. Also, there's the public speaking aspect of it - sometimes we have to make presentations, so you need to trust your gut, always remember to breathe, and know that it's gonna be okay. Taking those chances and having confidence in yourself is really what creates opportunities in this field.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Definitely, honesty is a big one. Communication is also key for me in everything that I do, whether it's professionalism or personal life. And reciprocity is another good one as well, because how we do everything in life is what matters. I always have a huge internal goal for myself to never do something halfway done. I always want to do everything to my fullest capacity, 100%. And at the end of the day, the only thing that we have left is our word, and it's our integrity as a person. Those are some of the very big key points that I value for myself.
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