Embracing the Outlier Within: My Unique Journey in Customer Service and Beyond
Sometimes I feel like an outlier—someone whose journey doesn't fit the conventional mold. This is my short story of growth, resilience, and the lessons learned from diverse experiences that go beyond the typical resume.
A Decade of Diverse Experiences (Ages 14-24)
My journey in retail, travel, and tourism began at a young age, shaping my understanding of customer service and employee engagement.
Early Beginnings at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock
At Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock, I immersed myself in hands-on labor and customer service, learning to create a fun, safe, and aesthetically pleasing environment. Building strong customer relationships, with many customers returning and requesting my assistance, was particularly rewarding.
Winter Jobs and Building Resilience
During winters, I took on various jobs to cover expenses. Working at a Coast-to-Coast hardware store and Computer Mart enhanced my practical skills and customer service abilities.
Necessity and Hard Work
Having a job wasn’t optional; it was necessary. I didn’t have summer camps or vacations. Instead, I mowed lawns and worked various jobs, instilling a strong work ethic. The first time I ever had a summer off was in 2023.
College Years: Balancing Work and Studies
While attending college, I worked various jobs. At Colton’s Steakhouse, a memorable incident involving a $20 dancing jig offer made me reflect on self-worth. Working at Stein Mart taught me about retail operations and customer service. My most impactful experience was waiting tables at Noodles Italian Kitchen, where I developed an entrepreneurial mindset.
From Robotics to DEKA R&D Intern
My passion for robotics began in high school through FIRST Robotics competitions, where I honed my technical skills and teamwork. This passion led to an internship at DEKA Research & Development, where I worked on innovative projects like the iBOT Transporter. These experiences were instrumental in developing my problem-solving abilities and understanding the importance of mentorship and real-world applications of classroom knowledge.
Transition to Corporate Roles
Transitioning to the corporate world often distances us from foundational customer interactions. However, the lessons from these early jobs continue to inform my approach to business and customer engagement
Conclusion
Reflecting on these experiences, I appreciate the value of hard work and customer service. Recurring customer interactions and building relationships have always been significant to my career. It’s these connections and the joy of helping others that drive my passion.
This is just a short summary of my experiences from ages 14 to 24. I’ll be writing about my time at Acxiom, Merkle, and other roles, sharing what I found fun, intriguing, dull, and crazy. Stay tuned for some fun stories and insights I think you’ll enjoy!
Retail Parts Professional at O'Reilly Auto Parts
2wWorked at O’Reilly for nearly a year! Would’ve loved seeing this!