Kimberly Horn

I would say always assuming the best of people's intentions is really important. A lot of people have a bad attitude, always assuming people mean the worst, misconstruing words and things. I think assuming the best in people's intentions makes everything easier. And then really believing in yourself - I think that's the big thing that makes a difference between success and failure, almost to the degree that people would say you're insane. Like, I know that I can do this, I can do anything. Just really, really believing in yourself. Professionally, I think it's important to never just shrug off a responsibility because it's not your job. If someone brings a request to me, if someone has a question about something or needs help with something, if I can't solve it, I get them to the person that can solve it, and then kind of follow that until the end. If it gets stuck after that person, I'll get them to the next person. Just don't drop the ball just because something's not your job. Kind of help everyone and follow it all the way to the end. That makes a huge difference. If you give people that kind of support, everybody's willing to help you.

The best career advice I ever received came from a woman named Sue who I met when I was working at a spa at the airport. I would talk with her about being inspired and what I wanted to do, and she told me: You have to take the first step. If the first step is going to your high school and getting a copy of your transcripts, you have to do it. You have to physically take action, take that first step, and then it'll be easy. The next step, the next step, you'll be on that path. But when you're talking about it and making plans, until you've taken action, you're not really on that path.

My advice would be: Take the contractor job. Even if it's low paying, if it's at a company that you want to work for, it's a good way to get your foot in the door. In the last 5 years, I went from being a contractor to being hired in as the product regulatory specialist, to being moved up to the product stewardship coordinator, all in 5 years. My income almost tripled. You have to get your foot in the door and then work hard and prove yourself. So if you get an offer that you're like, that's low and, you know, no benefit, just get your foot in the door and prove yourself. You'll move up fast.

I would say always assuming the best of people's intentions is really important. A lot of people have a bad attitude, always assuming people mean the worst, misconstruing words and things. I think assuming the best in people's intentions makes everything so much easier - you don't have to tiptoe and really double-check everything with them. And then really believing in yourself - I think that's the big thing that makes a difference between success and failure, almost to the degree that people would say you're insane. Like, I know that I can do this, I can do anything. Just really, really believing in yourself. Professionally, I think it's important to never just shrug off a responsibility because it's not your job. If someone brings a request to me, if someone has a question about something or needs help with something, if I can't solve it, I get them to the person that can solve it, and then kind of follow that until the end. Don't drop the ball just because something's not your job. Kind of help everyone and follow it all the way to the end. That makes a huge difference. If you give people that kind of support, everybody's willing to help you.