In June of 2013, I had reached a point in my career in my organization where I was enjoying great success with the marketing team. Though I didn’t have a background in marketing, I had worked on many successful projects and launched a program that I designed which resulted in improved sales and service with one of our pediatric orthotic devices. At that point, my manager approached me about returning to school to work towards a Master’s degree in marketing. He noted that he thought I would be able to move more quickly through the ranks and enjoy a much higher salary than what I was earning. He asked me to consider the opportunity and get back to him with my decision.
While earning a higher salary would have been nice, the thought of spending a year or two studying marketing sounded so bland. I’ll throw all of my efforts into the tasks I’m assigned at work, not because I LOVE marketing, but because I take pride in what I do and I respect the people I work with and for. I had to take a look at my life and my goals and evaluate where I wanted to take my future.
I have always held positions of leadership as a teacher, coach, speaker, mentor, trainer, etc. and I had heard about Gonzaga’s Leadership Program. I looked into it and immediately I knew it was the right program for me. I gathered the information and took it to my boss. I respectfully declined the offer to study marketing and instead, offered an alternative: Organizational Leadership. Thankfully, he supported my vision.
Today, two and a half years after embarking on the leadership journey, I am a different person. I am more mature, more aware, more open and so much more knowledgeable about who I am. This program has changed me and I’m forever grateful.
Go Zags!
