Olivia Parker

I attribute my success to a combination of hard work, consistency, and a willingness to take a nontraditional path to reach my goals. I’ve always been intentional about putting in the effort, even when it’s challenging, and staying dedicated to long-term growth rather than short-term comfort. I rarely turn down opportunities to gain experience, and I’ve made intentional sacrifices in my social life to prioritize my academic and professional development. At the same time, I’ve focused on building meaningful connections and learning from others, which has opened doors and provided valuable perspective. I’m also not afraid to step outside the expected route if it means creating better opportunities for myself. That balance of discipline, adaptability, and relationship-building has played a major role in where I am today.

The best career advice I’ve ever received comes in a few parts. First, it’s the classic but absolutely true idea that it’s not just what you know- it’s who you know. Building relationships, practicing politeness, and mastering the art of communication are incredibly powerful tools for opening doors and creating opportunities. I’ve also learned the value of persistence. Speaking up, advocating for yourself, and taking initiative are essential for being noticed and advancing in your career.

Some of the most impactful advice I’ve received comes from my step-dad. He often reminds me that “the squeaky wheel gets the oil,” and he also taught me to “follow the course,” encouraging me to stay the path, follow through, and keep going even when things get difficult. Together, these lessons, from both general guidance and personal mentorship, have shaped the way I approach professional growth, networking, and personal development.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to recognize that women are strong, powerful, and fully capable of achieving excellence in any field. People may underestimate you or doubt your abilities, but it’s important to maintain your composure, stay strong, and remain true to yourself. Use their doubt as motivation- a shield to push you forward rather than a barrier holding you back. Focus on your goals, do things for yourself, and let your skills, determination, and resilience prove them wrong. Remember, your success is defined by your own ambition and standards, and as women, we have the power to shape our paths and break through any limitations placed before us.

I would say one of the biggest challenges in my field right now is navigating this transition period in my life. I’m finishing my undergraduate degree at 22, which comes with the pressures of balancing academics, financial responsibilities, and planning for the future. Financing life expenses while preparing for graduate school and thinking about my career path can feel overwhelming at times. On top of that, the job market is incredibly competitive right now- finding a meaningful internship or entry-level position is very difficult, even for high-achieving students with strong work histories like myself. At the same time, I see this as an opportunity to develop resilience, sharpen my skills, and strategically plan my next steps. It’s pushing me to be proactive, resourceful, and thoughtful in shaping my career and future opportunities.

I'm really just trying to build the biggest network that I can, so I'm able to help people one day and mentor other students and just try to do the best I can. I want to be as connected as I can because really, these days, it's not about what you know, it's almost entirely who you know, and I'm really trying to build a good foundation for myself. Right now, it's a networking thing, but not in the sense of personal advancement. I just want to be connected with other strong, passionate women who are making professional moves in their field. I like the culture and just the network of like-minded people - it's a little less about advertising and more about connecting with people who probably have the same values as I do. My biggest dream in life was to be in the Air Force, and if health things or career things prevent me from doing that, I would love to work in counterterrorism or child sex crimes. I definitely have a passion for things that are military and defense adjacent where I feel like I could express my passion and use my degree, and then also just help people, help the community, help the country. That's where my heart's at.