Her Story
About Melanie
My career started in a nursing home many years ago as a nursing assistant which was the best job and the worst job I've ever had for many of the same reasons. You learn compassion, you learn empathy and you learn about life and people. I was a huge people person then and still am. I would work double and triple shifts at the nursing home because so many residents didn't have anybody. No one to come see them, visit with them or care about them. I did all three and would do it all over again today.
My dad was a farmer and my mom a homemaker. They raised me with an impeccable work ethic that also I am proud to say has trickled down to each of my children, who have all grown up and are making their way in the world. That work ethic in itself structured my future. From there, I worked for a law firm, which helped me learn business, law and how to work with people in business. I moved into government contracting on a whim after working for a couple of different construction companies. I wanted to understand how it worked and all came together so from construction, I went into engineering where I learned how that side of the puzzle fit with construction and received my security clearance on a project I was supporting. A few months later, a federal government contracting company called about a position as a Facilities Manager they had open which then started teaching me the government side of business.
I've been with Bering Straits Native Corporation for 4 years now. Our company is based in Nome Alaska. Last year, I was named General Manager of our Professional Services group and our team is phenomenal. I am so proud of where we have come in such a short period of time and enjoy mentoring and leading them to become leaders themselves. . We work hard, support each other and are always finding new ways of doing things. That’s what it’s about. Believing in the company that you work for and living their mission every single day. Believing in the work you do and for the people you do it for and mentoring the leaders of tomorrow with all of your new ideas and ways of doing business. It’s a great feeling to get up in the morning empowering your team to work for a great company, to work with great people and share what you offer to carry on to others.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Melanie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I'm very humble and grateful, and I have been very lucky in my career. Ive met some great leaders and mentors along the way. I’ve had great instructors and professors along the way that have shared with me their passion of why they do what they do every day. I've never had to outwardly go look for a job - they've always come to me, and I've just followed. My parents gave me a very simple and humbling start in life and that I am so grateful. I've been able to stand up for what I believe and still every day work with great morals and values and never sway from them. I handle my day to day functions with candor and do business the right way and am always fair and honest. I'm so humbled to where I've gotten in my life by surrounding myself with the right people. I feel I have learned so much in my career and I’ve learned it from other people. I appreciate so much the wonderful education I had and I would do it all over again because I really enjoyed it. I know if my parents were still here, they would be overwhelmingly proud of who I am, what I've done, and who I've become. I’ve passed it down to my children and teaching it to my grandchildren.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Two things.
If you see someone you have hired is not a good fit, don’t make them miserable and try to fit them in somewhere they don’t belong. The sooner you move them on, the better the team will be and they will be. Give them a great separation package regardless of how long they have been there. But don’t wait too long. If they don’t fit now, they never will
Next is if someone brings you an issue, challenge or something they cannot figure out, sit and listen without saying a word. Then ask them, what do you think we should do? That helps people grow, problem solve and be a stronger leader.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You can do anything you want to do and be anyone you want to be.
There are so many smart women. Smart and strong. Women go through their lives and they are always changing. They are born, go through adolescence. They get married, become a parent, raise their children. Children grow up and start their own families and leave the home you have raised them in. You are constantly transitioning through all your years and then it’s just you again.
Life can be tough, but do what you want with your life. It’s your life. Step out of the box, break the glass ceiling and eat the cake.
Life it too short not to be happy and don’t ever look back and say, ‘I wish I would have.’ Look back and say, ‘I’m so glad I did’
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
There are always going to be challenges and opportunities both out there and probably the biggest challenge is to figure out which is the challenge and what is the opportunity.
Life has changed so much in the last few years. Keep an open mind, hear people out. Things have changed since COVID. Business has changed, people have changed. Everyone is trying to figure out what the new normal is. Don’t over react to challenges that come your way. Slow down, think it through. Sometimes we take life too seriously. It’s easy to do so.
Opportunities will always come your way if you are patient. Things will settle down in time and with patience.
Federal government contracting is always changing. You just have to keep up with the changes and have good communication and talk things through.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and Candor.
Do the right thing. Live your life right and you’ll be able to sleep at night. Do honest business, work with your customers, get to know them and they will smile when they see you walk in the door.
Enjoy your life. You were not put on this earth to be miserable. That comes through in your demeanor.
Help each other, build each other up, empower each other. It will make you feel good too.
Share what youve learned over the years with others.
I'm just very humbled by where I've gotten to and the people that have touched my life and pushed me up the ladder. Do it for others. It really makes you feel good.
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