When I think about the college-to-career journey, I often come back to this truth: there’s no one “right” path. And talking to Jennifer Fitzgerald reminded me just how powerful that truth really is.
Jennifer is a Strategy & Operations leader at EY in the Industrials and Energy Transformation space. Her title is impressive, but what’s even more impressive is the story behind it. She didn’t take the traditional straight-out-of-college route. She worked for several years before even starting her college degree. And once she did, she made it count earning both an accounting degree and an MBA in information systems.
But what stood out to me most wasn’t just her resume. It was her intentional, evolving approach to building a career that fits her strengths, passions, and values.
💌 Join The Independence Lab Newsletter
Find out how I, and many more successful women, have landed our dream jobs, secured numerous promotions, and multiplied our salaries in the Independence Lab newsletter.
🔗 Click here to subscribe for free
Jennifer started at EY in technology risk, a deeply technical field that gave her exposure to the inner workings of digital transformation. But over time, she realized she was more passionate about innovation.
Instead of staying where she started, she pivoted. She raised her hand for new roles, applied for an internal innovation team, and eventually helped launch a venture studio. Her story proves something I say often: You’re allowed to change direction. In fact, growth often demands it.
One of the most relatable moments in our conversation was when Jennifer admitted she sometimes feels imposter syndrome around people who’ve been in one specialty for decades.
But instead of shrinking back, she prepares. She talks to people in the field, reads, asks questions, and shows up with a fresh perspective that adds value.
That mindset, curiosity over perfection, is exactly what sets her apart.
Jennifer has been promoted again and again, in part because she’s constantly upskilling, but also because she’s willing to take on challenges no one else wants.
She stressed the importance of raising your hand, even when something feels hard or uncertain. That willingness to show up, to stretch, and to grow? It gets noticed.
We spent a lot of time talking about emotional intelligence, and Jennifer’s insights were refreshingly honest. Early in her career, she got feedback that she wasn’t showing empathy. It surprised her because she did care deeply about her team.
But she realized she was holding back her personality in an effort to seem “professional.”
The fix wasn’t technical. It was human. She started letting people in more, sharing a bit more of herself, and connecting beyond just tasks. That shift made a huge difference in her relationships and career growth.
Jennifer also shared how saving early, even when she didn’t know much about investing, gave her the freedom to go back to school full-time and pivot careers.
She leaned into the resources offered by her workplace, made learning about money a priority, and now encourages others to do the same.
Her story is a great reminder that your financial foundation doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be intentional.
In college, Jennifer didn’t have much of a routine (same, honestly). But now, she swears by her Sunday planning ritual. She takes time to ease into the week, prioritize what matters, and set her team up for success.
That one shift, preparing with purpose, made her work life smoother and more grounded.
Jennifer’s biggest piece of advice to her younger self? Don’t skip community.
In her rush to get through school and certifications and into the workforce, she didn’t leave space for networking or volunteering. Looking back, she wishes she had and encourages young professionals to invest in relationships early. Not just for career advancement, but for support, growth, and connection.
Want to make it big like Jennifer did?
📥 Download my free guide:
Post-Grad Glow-Up: The Career & Confidence Starter Pack College Didn’t Give You
You’ll get resume tips, interview strategies, and emotional intelligence tools designed specifically for recent grads. These are the exact tools that helped me 5x my salary and land leadership roles in my 20s.
Jennifer’s story is proof that your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to keep learning, keep showing up, and keep building a life and career that fits you.