Today’s post is written by Melanie Tom, a graduate of University of California, Riverside. She’s a Manager, Social Recruitment & Employment Branding at Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, Inc. You can connect with her on Twitter (fandecareers or melanietom), Facebook, LinkedIn,YouTube, and on freshandeasy.com.
After graduating early from the University of California, Riverside, I found myself facing the first of many inevitable post-grad hurdles, student loan payback. Strapped for work and with the deadline looming, I resorted to asking my fellow college friends for job leads. Little did I know how much this one action would change my life. It was then that a fellow sorority sister introduced me to a 6-month post-graduate program at Disney Consumer Products. Even though I lacked the business and creative credentials that most of their positions required I didn’t hesitate to apply. I was offered an internship with their HR department, and the rest is history!
An Internship at Disney
I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for my experience at Disney, so, it goes without saying that I’m a firm believer in the value of internships. There’s no better way for recent grads or current undergrads to get their feet wet in the workforce! The transition into the working world can be frightening, and internships work as a natural stepping stone- providing insight to what a job may entail without any full commitments. My internship opened my eyes to a career that has since become my passion.
A New Opportunity
This past April, I left Disney to join the team at Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market Inc., a West coast based grocery with a strong commitment to fresh, wholesome food. The culture at Fresh & Easy is unlike any I’ve ever experienced. While many companies are all talk when it comes to mission statements, Fresh & Easy actually acts on their belief that the workplace should be rewarding. I’ve had countless opportunities to grow both professionally and personally. Through company-sponsored training courses that range from development to leadership, the exposure I’ve been given is amazing! In the short time I’ve been with Fresh & Easy, I’ve not only been promoted, but, I’ve gained project management skills, worked on two different HR teams, and created standard operating models for our HR Service Center. The breadth of experience to which I’ve been exposed is far more educational, enticing and developmental than my last four years in the workforce combined.
A Job I love
I currently manage Social Recruiting and Employment Branding for all of Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, Inc. My responsibilities include branding Fresh & Easy as an employer of choice, ensuring I’m engaging our audience with relevant job/career advice and publishing opportunities via all our social media channels for our Home Office, Retail, Distribution Center and Campus Manufacturing facilities. I am a social media junkie and LOVE that I can combine what I normally do for fun, as my job.
My Advice To Other Professional Women
My advice to other professional women starting their careers is to define what success looks like to you and go for it! It’s different for everybody. For me, it’s about doing what I love but maintaining the equilibrium between my work and personal life. Sure, it’s a tough balance, but I’ve found that, with a little bit of time management and organization, it’s more than possible! And here’s a quote I live by:
Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” -Albert Schweitzer
What is your definition of success and your advice to other professional women?
About Anna Runyan
congratulations on your success at your new job and finding the job that you love. Thanks for showing this inspirational piece with all of us!!
I agree! Thanks so much for sharing with Classy Career Girl readers Melanie!
I always tell people that internships open up a whole window of opportunity. Congrats on your success!
Dear Melanie Tom,
I absolutely loved this post! I cannot agree enough with you that internships are a valuable resource, not only to add to one’s resume, but also to contribute and enhance a person’s experiences and knowledge. In May I will be graduating from West Virginia University, so interviews and job searching are all that’s on my mind! My question to you is how you prepared for your interview at Disney? I notice that you said your credentials did not add up to other candidates’, so what do you think helped give you the upper hand in landing the job? What other factors do you think employers consider when interviewing applicants?
Best of luck with graduation and the job search Katie!!
Thank you everyone for your kind words! I appreciate it!
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Katie,
Thank you also for your kind words!
I prepared for my Disney interview by doing my research and homework on The Walt Disney Company and specifically the actual segment (Disney Consumer Products) I was interviewing for so I could get a better understanding of the fundamentals of how the organization operates. Although I lacked the Business/HR acumen that Disney was seeking, I knew I could draw different examples on how my Sociology background and skills gained from my sorority were transferable in the business world. What ultimately gave me the upper hand was not just my solid examples of how I could translate my skills, but also my ambition and high drive; traits in which they were looking for in their ideal candidate.
Employers look for candidates that are articulate, ambitious, and passionate as they want to distinguish and identify individuals that will excel within the organization. If you possess those 3 qualities, you’re already captivating to Recruiters and Hiring Managers. Employers don’t want to hire individuals who are unmotivated to advance in their career or only want the job for the ‘time being’- employers do consider retention and turnover in their recruiting assessments. Lastly, another important factor employers consider is whether or not the candidate is a cultural fit to not just the team but the overall organization as a whole. It’s important that the newest addition to the team is a dynamic asset. Hope this helps and best of luck to you on your job search! Stay focus, and be sure to be confident! Feel free to connect with me via LinkedIn as well if you have any other questions!
Best,
Melanie Tom
More great advice Melanie! I might have to turn your response into another blog post:)
Haha.. you’re too kind Anna! Thank you again for the amazing opportunity!
That’s so true! I’m sharing this with my sister.. She’s graduating soon =)
So refreshing to read about someone who likes their job post college, thanks for sharing your story and tips!