02 Sep From College to Customer Service Leadership: Hannah’s Career Journey
There is not one educational path that works for every career.
Hannah’s story offers an interesting perspective because she has seen this firsthand. At 34, she is a Customer Service Manager who earned a four year degree, while the four customer service professionals she works with have built their careers without one.
For Hannah, both paths have value. What matters is finding opportunities, learning from others, and understanding that building a career takes time.
Going Door to Door with a Resume
Hannah studied graphics and graphics communication management in college and earned a four year degree.
After graduating, she was ready to find an opportunity. Instead of waiting for one to come to her, Hannah went door to door with her resume in hand.
Eventually, she walked into the company where she works today.
They hired her on the spot.
That opportunity became the beginning of a career that has grown into leadership.
Different Paths to the Same Workplace
Today, Hannah is a Customer Service Manager with four customer service team members working alongside her.
Her team also illustrates something important about career and education choices.
Hannah earned a four year degree, and she feels very blessed to have received that education. At the same time, the four people on her customer service team have built their careers without four year degrees.
The people throughout her company have taken different educational and career paths as well.
Hannah’s experience is a reminder that education does not have to be an either or conversation. A four year degree can be valuable, but it is not the only path to developing skills, finding meaningful work, or building a career.
“It All Takes Time”
One of the lessons Hannah has learned is that careers do not develop overnight.
Her advice is simple: “It all takes time, and people are amazing.”
The people around her have been an important part of her journey. Working with a team means learning how different people communicate, solve problems, and contribute their own strengths.
For someone beginning a career, that can be an important perspective. Your first job does not have to be your final destination. Every opportunity can give you experience, introduce you to people, and help you discover where your strengths can take you next.
Hannah started by walking into businesses with a resume.
Today, she leads a customer service team.
Her journey shows that careers can be built through many different combinations of education, initiative, experience, relationships, and time.
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