We asked Alumni: How did you choose great companies and what advice do you have for W. P. Carey Students?
Here is what they shared:
- Align Personal Values with Company Mission
- Research Companies and Seek Mentorship
- Understand Job Role and Company Support
- Choose a Company That Values You
- Leverage Human Connections
- Assess Offers and Team Viability
- Prioritize Positive Work Culture
- Identify Personal Workplace Values
- Seek Companies with Strong Training Programs
Align Personal Values with Company Mission
Deciding which company to work for was a thoughtful process for me, one driven by my aspirations for purposeful work and the opportunity to collaborate with intelligent and talented individuals. My journey led me to Cisco, a company whose values deeply resonate with mine.
My introduction to Cisco occurred during my sophomore year at the Women in Supply Chain Symposium. Here, I was inspired by the stories shared by influential women leaders within the company. Their passion for their work, coupled with Cisco’s commitment to driving positive change through technology, left a lasting impression on me.
In my search for a workplace that aligned with my values, Cisco stood out as a beacon of innovation and social responsibility. Their dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, coupled with their emphasis on driving meaningful impact, made it clear to me that this was where I wanted to be.
For students embarking on their own career journeys, my experience highlights the importance of seeking out companies that not only align with your professional goals but also reflect your personal values. By attending events, networking, and researching companies, you can gain valuable insights into their culture, values, and opportunities for growth. Ultimately, choosing a company that aligns with your passions and values can lead to a fulfilling and rewarding career journey.
Nina Plunkett, B.S. Business Law & Supply Chain Management, Minor in Gender Studies ‘21, Supply Chain Program Manager, Cisco Systems
Research Companies and Seek Mentorship
In choosing a company to work for, be sure to research the firm’s size, reputation, culture, and ensure that it aligns with your career goals. Seek mentorship and networking opportunities to gain insights into different companies and career paths. When I decided on a company to work at, I made sure that the company’s aspirations and values resonated with me. It was important, going into the role, that all parties would be rowing in the same direction to accomplish a mutual goal, and I was provided support and resources to accomplish that goal.
Trevor Koskovich, B.A. Communication 02, President, Investment Sales, Northmarq
Understand Job Role and Company Support
I’ve worked for a lot of companies since leaving ASU. The common thread with each company is that at the time, I felt like they had a job that could benefit from my experience and expertise, and I was equally excited about the company and job they had to offer. I’ve learned that understanding the job you’re getting into and how that job will be supported within the company are key. These are things you can glean through the interview process by asking pointed questions about the job and how it’s supported within the company. What are the goals I’ll be tasked with meeting within the first 3, 6, 9 months of the job? How will I be supported in achieving those goals?
Cortney Pellettieri, Broadcast Journalism ‘95, Co-Founder, Talent Connect Group
Choose a Company That Values You
I didn’t have a direct line of sight to a specific company, and in fact, would never have dreamed of being where I am now. What I did know was that I wanted to work with an organization that valued people, ideas, respectful communication, and a positive impact beyond itself. I discovered that what I valued more than a top-floor office with glass walls, a killer view, and lots of perks was the opportunity to learn something new each day—to be challenged—to be part of building and creating something new and to keep doing that.
When deciding what company you want to work for, decide if it’s a place you can work in and with, and if it fills you up more than it drains you. There will be ups and downs, no doubt; change is certain. Deciding on where you want to work—to share your time and talent—ask yourself if that place values you enough to trust you with challenges and responsibilities, and supports you when you make mistakes.
Matt Armstrong, B.S. Architecture ‘99, President, St Petersburg Distillery Company
Leverage Human Connections
I less so decided and more so took the guidance of my bosses, new friends, and mentors to go check out an opportunity I’d otherwise never hear about. Humans introduced me to other humans, and whenever I allowed that to happen, the opportunities started back up. To be blunt, I had very little idea of what ‘work’ should and would look like leaving ASU; those human connections were life-changing.
Juan Kingsbury, B.S. Global Business ‘04, Talent Strategist, Career Blindspot
Assess Offers and Team Viability
When I was seeking a recruiting job at startups last year, I ended up with three offers! I compared the offers and startups on the following measures:
- Salary and total compensation – “Which was highest?”
- Future Viability – “What stage of VC financing are they at? How mature and established are they?”
- Management Team – “Which management team has the most experience achieving successful exits?”
- Remote vs. Office – “How far is the commute, or do I need to commute at all?”
- Future Exit Size & Timing – “How large will their planned future exit be? How long do I need to wait?”
- Accountability – “Do I know any current or former employees or investors?”
- Saleability – “Which startup is the easiest to sell a job offer to a candidate?”
Despite having other offers that were $30K more, I didn’t trust the viability of the other startups as much. The other startups laid off staff last year, so I chose well! Look at the viability and the quality of the team!
Marsh Sutherland, MBA & JD ‘94, Senior Technical Recruiter, Ocient
Prioritize Positive Work Culture
Culture holds immense significance, not just the overarching corporate culture, which can sometimes be superficial, but rather the culture within your immediate sphere—the bosses and colleagues you interact with daily. Few experiences are as draining as hating your job. The negative energy can seep into interactions with family and friends, and even affect your health and well-being. I opted to join my current firm not solely based on pay, but because I recognized the value of working with genuinely good people who invested in me personally.
Kyle Beard, B.S. Global Business ‘02, MBA Finance ‘09, Director, Willis Towers Watson
Identify Personal Workplace Values
The first step was deciding what I truly valued in a workplace. Did I want a fast-paced startup environment or the stability and structure of an established corporation? Was there a particular industry I was passionate about? Understanding these preferences helped me narrow down my options.
My career started at an agency where the fast-paced environment and variety of different clients made me love and want to continue #agencylife. Working in-house at different companies made me realize I valued a higher volume of work and responsibilities.
I spent a considerable amount of time researching companies that aligned with my values and interests. This wasn’t just about the brand reputation but also their culture, mission, and the kind of projects they worked on.
Belinda Zepeda, B.S. Communication ‘18, Social & Content Specialist, Red Door Interactive
Seek Companies with Strong Training Programs
I knew I wanted to be in media sales. I researched the local opportunities in my market. I looked for a radio broadcast company that could offer me the best training for the job. So many companies hire salespeople but don’t give them the right training; they believe in a sink-or-swim mentality. I wanted to work for a company that had long-term employees and invested in their employees’ growth. Of course, also one where I could make a lot of money if I worked hard.
This was before the internet was accessible by all, so the only way to review a company was to talk to someone who worked there. The business was highly competitive, and there were very few openings for new people. Prior to my interview, I would call the station and ask to speak to a salesperson who had been there less than two years. I asked them questions about the environment and what they enjoyed and didn’t enjoy about their job. I asked how they treated ‘newbies’ and if there was a mentoring program. I also asked them if I could stop by and get a media kit so I could become familiar with what they were selling and how they presented their assets to advertisers for my interview.
What was interesting was that the ones who didn’t have time for a five-minute conversation or never followed through with a media kit were not going to be the company that fostered team atmospheres, and I didn’t pursue that job like I did the one that had the time to talk with me. One person I talked to gave me a ticket to a Tom Hopkins sales seminar. She thought it might be informative for me, and it was. That was so kind, and she didn’t even know me; I was a random call-in, but she knew that I was interested in working for her company. That person was so helpful, and I ended up being her coworker for several years!
Jill Krigsten, B.S. Communications ‘86, Media Consultant, Cox Media
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