From Intern to VP: What I Learned Navigating a Nonlinear Career

When people hear “career path,” they often imagine a straight line: degree → job → promotion → dream life.

Mine was anything but.

On the Career Spotlight podcast, I sat down to talk about the journey that led me from intern to becoming a Vice President, and, eventually, the founder of The Independence Lab. If you’re figuring out what comes after college or trying to realign your path mid-career, here’s what I want you to know:

Success isn’t about checking the right boxes. It’s about tuning into your values, leading with curiosity, and staying emotionally grounded when things shift (because they will shift).

work insights shared on the career spotlight podcast 

Don't miss out on this eye-opening episode! Here are just a few of the insights we discussed:

Lesson 1: You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out

I didn’t start my career thinking I’d end up in sales, operations, or entrepreneurship. I started in journalism, and what I loved most was storytelling, listening, and digging deep.

As I moved through my career, those same skills helped me excel in totally different spaces. When our agency needed someone to step into sales, I didn’t wait for a “certification.” I raised my hand.

That’s the thing about your early career: it’s not about having a perfect five-year plan. It’s about learning how to say yes to growth, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Lesson 2: Confidence and Curiosity Beat Credentials

You don’t need to know everything. You do need to be willing to figure things out.

What got me through the messy middle of career pivots wasn’t a fancy title, it was curiosity. I asked questions. I took notes. I said, “I’ll figure it out,” more times than I can count.

That mindset led me to opportunities I never saw coming, and it’s what I now teach through The Independence Lab.

You might not feel confident at first. That’s OK. Confidence doesn’t come before the leap; it comes because of it.

Lesson 3: Emotional Intelligence Is the Real Career Edge

We’re so focused on hard skills (and yes, they matter!) that we often overlook the most career-defining ones: listening, adapting, handling feedback, managing your energy.

That’s emotional intelligence, and it’s the difference between just doing the job and leading the room.

In interviews, it’s not just about your résumé. It’s about your presence. In difficult work conversations, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about staying grounded.

EQ isn’t soft. It’s your secret weapon.

We cover so much more...

• Job interviews can be navigated successfully with self-regulation techniques.
• AI will not replace the need for human empathy and communication skills.
• Curiosity and self-learning are essential for early career professionals.
• It's okay to change career paths as interests and industries evolve.
• Building relationships is crucial, especially in remote work settings.
• Staying within one organization can lead to significant career growth.
• Preparing stories for interviews can make candidates more memorable.
• Understanding company culture is key to job satisfaction.

If you want the full behind-the-scenes story, including how I went from second-guessing myself in sales calls to helping women 5x their confidence and salary, listen now on Career Spotlight.

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