Spears Group’s Post

Graduating college with a job in hand was the dream, but part of me (maybe a small part) wishes it hadn’t happened to me. It was too easy and predictable to be right. 21 years old, finishing out my senior year in a high pressure college environment while also juggling being a student-athlete. A shiny job offer after a summer internship was what every college student (and their parents) dreamed of. It would have been crazy not to accept it! Even I’m not that crazy. So I accepted…and I struggled that first year and a half of my career. I had an incredible opportunity at a huge organization, yet felt like a cog in a machine and I wasn't using my brain in a way that excited me. Some of it was first job stuff. Some of it was the industry, the company, the overall environment. I learned a lot and I'm so glad for every experience I've had. But if I were to go back, I’d do things a little differently. I would ask myself: What do I like to do? What skills do I want to develop? What values are important to me in a company? What will get me excited to get out of bed each day? How much agency do I have in my decision making process? What kind of impact will I have? Those were the questions I continued to think about each time I searched for a new job. It’s also why I was so drawn to Paragon. Many attorneys on our staff had to actively choose not to follow the traditional path of in-house counsel or partner. They chose instead to seek out what they wanted and deserved. It can work out either way, but it’s important to remember you don’t always have to accept the first offer or go the traditional route.

👩🏽💻🧠🦈It’s officially been 1 year since my internship last year and 9 months since joining Kroger full-time. It’s been such an exciting past year on the professional development side. The corporate world is such a different environment, but I have loved the hustle and collaboration that comes with it. I feel like I have learned so much in the short time I’ve been here, and I’m so excited to see what the next year brings. I’ve really been able to apply my experiences and perspectives to things, and it’s been so fun to see my ideas come to life. Here are three things I've learned along the way: ✨If you’re going to fail, fail with your best foot forward. Fail quickly and pivot promptly. In the world of retail, you follow numbers and trends. Ideas and strategies change, and once you learn to be flexible, that’s when rejection becomes redirection. (Thanks to my boss for his current patience on this one✅.) ✨You don’t know what you don’t know, so ask the question. If you're nervous to ask, write it down, send an email, or direct message someone who may know the answer. It’s one thing to admit you don’t know something; it’s another not to ask or search for the answer and try to contribute meaningful solutions. ✨Lastly (it wouldn’t be a post by me if I didn’t include it), have good vibes. Negativity can be felt by everyone. Not every day is going to go exactly how you want. You can’t control the economy or consumer behaviors, but you can control how you react, communicate, and respond to things. So leave rooms and conversations with a positive attitude. (In gen z terms try to have positive aura😂) What are some of your favorite pieces of advice? #genzincorporate #genzatkroger #assistantbuyer #postiveaurapoints

10 Years Ago: The Summer That Changed Everything I still remember this view like it was yesterday. The New Yorker Hotel, standing tall and bright, was my home for an entire summer during my junior year of college. I was in New York City, the place where dreams are made, with an internship at IPG Mediabrands. From the outside, it seemed like I was living the dream—NYC, a hotel stay, and a foot in the door at a major company. Friends and family thought I was on top of the world. But what they didn’t see was the reality behind the glossy exterior. I was broke, depressed, and completely lost. The city that never sleeps was also the city that never stopped reminding me of how far I still had to go. That summer, I learned how to stretch a dollar, how to navigate the grid, and most importantly, how to keep pushing forward even when it felt like the world was against me. Key Lessons Learned: 1. Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable: Growth happens when we step outside our comfort zones. That summer, I learned that embracing the unfamiliar is the first step toward becoming who you’re meant to be. 2. Try Something New: Don’t be afraid to take risks. Trying new things opens up opportunities you never imagined. That internship, even with all its challenges, was a door to great mentors! A special thank you to Sonia Riojas for simply existing - you were the first Latina I saw leading, advocating, and supporting your team and ideas. 3. Resilience is Everything: Life will knock you down, but what matters is how you get back up. That summer taught me the true meaning of resilience—an invaluable skill I carry with me to this day. Fast forward to today, and I look back at that summer not with regret, but with gratitude. That challenging time was what shaped who I am now—a marketing executive with a passion for empowering others, and a clear vision for my future. It was in those moments of doubt and struggle that I discovered my resilience and determination to succeed. The New Yorker Hotel isn’t just a building to me; it’s a symbol of how far I’ve come. So, to anyone out there who feels lost or overwhelmed—take it one day at a time. Clarity comes with consistency and purpose with persistence. #CareerJourney #CareerGrowth

CHICAGO

Applying to placements is tiring With one month to go until I start my 12-month marketing placement at THG Beauty, I've been reflecting on my experience applying to placements. Every year, applications are opening sooner and sooner, especially for roles in finance and at big corporations. I hadn't even started my second year and some companies were giving the heads up that they'd be closing roles due to the high volume of applications they'd received. It's easier said than done but please don't feel overwhelmed or panic. Of course, if you really want one of these roles then you need to get in there early. But I can assure you that there will be LOADS more opportunities opening up later in the year. Even now, I am still receiving emails from the Placements - BBS Careers team about new opportunities. My best piece of advice is don't apply to every opportunity. Be selective and choose roles and companies that align with your values, interests and career goals. Instead of giving 20% of your energy into 5 applications, channel 100% into 1 application. The recruiter will notice the difference, trust me. I actually turned down an amazing placement abroad because joining the marketing team at LOOKFANTASTIC.COM aligned more strongly with my passion and values. It wasn't an easy decision to make, but it was the right one. For current first years, make the most of your summer, start preparing your CV and don't panic! P.s this is the Black Friday campaign I had to create as part of my application for Look Fantastic. It was the only marketing placement I applied to that involved a creative task, which is a green flag in my eyes.

#ThrowbackThursday Throwing it back to my college days in 2019 when I unwittingly stumbled into the captivating universe of commercial real estate! 🌐 💼 Little did I know that this accidental discovery would pave the way for an internship at a Commercial Real Estate brokerage that would redefine my career journey. Expectations? Oh, they took a wild turn. I thought I'd be reporting to the person who hired me, but life had other plans – introducing the dynamic duo in the photo, my unexpected mentors! 😄 These two gurus not only taught me the ins and outs of commercial real estate but also turned what could have been a serious endeavor into a comedy show. Learning about cap rates and square footage became a stand-up routine, and I loved every minute of it. They say laughter is the best teacher, and these guys made sure of it. Commercial real estate wasn't just about deals and square footage; it was about the genuine connections we forged within our own office walls. 🤝 Here's to the hilarious twists that led me to this incredible journey, unforgettable mentors, and a career that keeps me smiling and dialing every day! 🚀 Quick tip for the fashion-forward professional: In that memorable photo, I was confidently sporting Nike socks – because who needs plain dress socks, right? 😂 Lesson learned: while they excelled in mentoring me on professionalism, I now know that Nike socks might be better suited for marathons than meetings. 🏃♂️🧦 . . #CRELaughs #UnexpectedMentors #GenuineConnections #CommercialRealEstateAdventures #CommerialRealEstate

Very exciting news from my 📗 🐛:

Why #intern at Marsh McLennan Agency? Check out this video from with some of our 2023 #interns to find out what they loved about their experience. #internship

🎉 Exciting News Alert! 🎉 I am thrilled to announce that I've officially been selected as a Beats by Dre Extern for Branding Strategy & Business Analytics! 🚀✨ I can't wait to dive into this incredible opportunity and learn from the best in the field. 📩💼 A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. I'm beyond grateful for this chance to grow and excel in my career. Let's do this! 💪 #MarketResearch #Externship #NewBeginnings #BrandStrategy #BusinessAnalytics #Extern #BeatsbyDre