Fair warning: This blog will be more vulnerable than my usual content. As the Director of Talent Acquisition at Vista, I frequently have the opportunity to listen to other’s life stories. It’s now time to share mine because it was NEVER in my life plan to be a Director of Talent Acquisition. But…it’s where I’ve experienced a profound significance in my everyday work and where I discovered my life’s true passion: connecting with people. It’s been a journey, and I’m excited to give you a glimpse because you, too, can change the trajectory of your story and create significance and meaning in your own life AND in the lives of others.
I can recall no event that made my childhood extraordinary. However, looking back, the people I encountered and what I learned from them were, in fact, EXTRAORDINARY. I was born to two middle-class working parents in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They were hard-working individuals who provided everything I needed for survival. My parents made sacrifices for my sister and me to attend private school, as they felt that was where we could best flourish. We were given ample opportunities to explore different creative outlets to express ourselves: art, gymnastics, piano lessons, tennis, etc. If there was something we wanted to explore, we got the chance to do it.
My parents always made it a point to talk to us. Talking was important in our household. And not just about surface-level subjects like the weather or what our plans were for vacation. They engaged us in meaningful conversations, delving into deeper topics that mattered. They really took an interest in our emotional well-being, asking how we felt about different situations and offering guidance when we needed it. Their genuine concern and active involvement created a strong bond and a sense of security that I will always cherish. Some of the questions they asked were highly annoying, but they pushed.
We talked about how we felt and what our frustrations were. NOTHING WAS OFF LIMITS. My sister and I grew up never being afraid of telling our parents the truth. Did we get in trouble? Yes. Did we make bad decisions? Yes. But whatever our parents did kept us coming back to them because we knew they were going to love us NO MATTER WHAT. Being intentional in their communication with their daughters made my parents EXTRAORDINARY, although I wasn’t aware of it at the time. They were investing in our relationship, one conversation at a time.
During my college years, my father had a distinct way of staying connected that meant the world to me—he wrote letters. These letters were not just reserved for special occasions, although they certainly arrived then, too. They came frequently, filled with words of wisdom, encouragement, and love.
On 4/24/2003, my dad penned a letter to me on my 18th birthday. He said:
“In my estimation, life is all about relationships. When we leave this earth, what is left of importance is the relationships we have built and cherished. Think about your talents in all that you do…tennis, schoolwork, jobs, but most importantly is relationship talent.”
Each letter served as a tangible reminder of his unwavering support and was a cherished lifeline during times of stress and uncertainty. No matter how busy he was, he made time to email me, illustrating his commitment to our relationship and his investment in my emotional well-being.
Through high school, I took a real interest in science. I had my mind set to attend college and go on to medical school. Unconsciously, though, I separated that interest from what I enjoyed doing outside of the classroom. Outside of school, I enjoyed and became quite good at (might I add) the game of tennis. So good that I earned myself a substantial Division I scholarship to play at the collegiate level. After a year of the pre-med college curriculum, I decided an additional four years in medical school wasn’t for me. Full disclosure: My microbiology class and lab did me in! But, I still desired to do something in health sciences. Pursuing a degree in Nursing is where I landed. My college had a fantastic Nursing program, and most of my pre-med classes transferred nicely. Just a slight pivot in the grand plan…nothing major.
Fast forward three years, and I completed my academic and athletic collegiate career. I had RN, BSN behind my name and I was equipped to enter the workforce as a Registered Nurse. My adult life was just beginning, and I was excited. My career path was set, and I was on cruise control, living and working away from my family in Birmingham, AL. Despite the distance, my parents were STILL intentionally communicating with me. My dad sent me emails every day. I spoke to my mom on the phone every day, sometimes more than once. They visited often and helped me move from the dorm to an apartment and then again into a house. They were constantly present.
I’ll spare you all the details, but long story short, I met someone, fell in love, and got married. This part of my story was always part of “my plan.” I had my career and now someone to share my life with. I left my beloved first nursing job and moved back home to Baton Rouge to start our married life. Part of the draw to a career in nursing was always being able to work anywhere across the country. My plan chugged on, just in a new city, with a new apartment and a husband.
Shortly after getting married, my husband’s job moved us to Houston, TX. Again…nurses were in high demand, and I landed a job with a large hospital organization in their labor and delivery unit. Same plan, just another new city. While I wasn’t a mother just yet, I knew I wanted to be one. Helping laboring patients bring life into the world was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced…I felt a calling and a purpose as a nurse, and it filled my cup, but it wasn’t without challenges.
I became a mom in 2010. The nurses, who had become friends and mentors, helped me bring my baby girl into the world. It was such a unique experience to be taken care of by your own colleagues. While I never contemplated hanging up my nursing shoes, working became increasingly more difficult with a tiny human to keep alive. My husband worked shift work as well, and we found ourselves like two ships passing in the night; one worked while the other was home with our daughter and vice versa. A dear co-worker saw our struggle and offered so graciously to keep our daughter on Tuesday nights when both my husband and I worked the night shift. She quickly became their “Tuesday baby” and I will forever be grateful for my relationship with her and the support she provided for my family and for our baby. We kept up the routine for well over a year before our second daughter was born in 2012. The once flexible twelve-hour shifts got harder and harder, and my desire to be at home with my daughters grew and grew. Financially, though, my family needed two incomes to live comfortably. Nursing was what I knew and loved, but with the strain of the ever-changing schedule and the time away from my family, I began dreading going to work. I desperately wanted to be in two places at once: serving my patients during one of the most important times in their lives and serving my newly growing family. But I trudged on, continued the routine, the plan…but I didn’t like it anymore.
Tennis was still an outlet for me, even as my family grew. We joined our local athletic club, and I started playing in a weekly league with a group of ladies I had never met. I was “the young one” on the team, the new girl, the new mom, just needing a chance to get out of the house and move my body occasionally. I’m not gonna lie; I still had it! They say tennis is a lifelong sport and I found myself still passionate about the game. I loved getting to know the ladies on my team. I loved the competition. At one of our team’s weekly matches, a local professional from another club saw me play. He approached me after the match and asked if I’d ever given any thought to teaching professionally. The answer was no. That wasn’t part of the plan…I was a nurse! But I thought about what he said, and rather than going with my first thought, I took the time to think about it. Sure, it wasn't part of my plan, but maybe, I thought, that's the whole point. I took a risk and earned a professional certification and became a tennis pro!
I taught large groups and small groups. I did private lessons and had an opportunity to purchase a UK franchise that taught children the game of tennis through interactive teddy bear stories and games. Teddy Tennis fed my passion for sharing tennis with children who otherwise might not ever have an opportunity to pick up a racket. I brought Teddy Tennis to daycares and after-school programs as well as offering classes at the country club where I was a pro. I loved being involved in our community and making relationships with the men and women I taught. I had made a significant change in my career, and while different from what I had gone to school to study, I really enjoyed sharing my passion for tennis with others and, doing so, contributing to my family financially. But it all came to a crashing halt in the fall of 2017. Hurricane Harvey devastated our city and the country club where I was employed. The tennis courts, as well as most homes in Kingwood, Texas, flooded, leaving a massive cleanup for many residents. While our home was spared, I was not able to teach because the courts were underwater, and many of my clients were focused on renovating their homes rather than perfecting their tennis game (rightfully so). Change was coming…and it wasn’t welcomed this time…it was necessary.
I knew I didn’t want to go back to shift work as a nurse. By this time, we had three children, and I needed a flexible working schedule to accommodate my family’s needs. We were active members of our church. Our children participated in Vacation Bible School as well as mid-week Bible studies. My husband and I served in the children’s ministry as teachers and made life-long friends in our Sunday School class. After Hurricane Harvey, our church was looking for a Children’s Ministry Director. Was this EVER something I had considered? No. The job presented itself at the right moment, and I took it, knowing I could make a difference in the lives of children. The plan changed yet again (are you starting to see a theme here?) The connections I made working at the church solidified my love for people and being around them. I am a “people person” to my core. I thrive when collaborating with a team and constantly engaging with people.
You might be thinking…How in the world did you land a job with Vista? Remember that letter my dad wrote to me back in 2003? My father recognized something in me that I didn’t recognize in myself back when I was 18 years old. My talent lies in building relationships, and I firmly believe those relationships have landed me where I am today as the Director of Talent Acquisition for Vista Consulting. I was approached by Vista four years ago, and while “talent acquisition” isn’t something I learned in school, I was determined to use my relationship-building talent to engage with firms who recognize the need to hire intentionally and trust me to “vet” candidates on their behalf.
Tim Mckey, Vista’s owner and CEO, is my father. He took a chance in hiring me, a nurse by education and trade, to function as the Director of the Talent Acquisition services for Vista. He saw value in what I could provide to Vista’s overall mission and goals. He saw me for who I am, and he wasn’t afraid to challenge me with this role. My desire for relationship building and making connections has been the thread throughout my entire career path. From nursing to tennis to children’s ministry and now talent acquisition, my goal has always been to connect with people, understand their needs, and help them achieve their goals.
Within Vista, I have found a company that aligns with my values of family, community involvement, and making a positive impact. Working alongside other professionals who are passionate about helping others grow and succeed is incredibly fulfilling. Every day brings something new and exciting.
What Vista has provided me with has been a conglomeration of bits and pieces from my other employment experiences. I am surrounded by a team of professionals who believe in me, cheer me on, and challenge me to try new things. I deeply appreciate the flexible work schedule this role provides that allows me to thrive in my role as a busy wife and mother. Some might say I have struck gold in the work/life balance arena. But as I see it…there is no such thing. My work is part of my life, of who I am as a working mom, wife, and individual. This doesn’t mean there aren’t hard and challenging days along the way…there are. While looking at my resume, some might see a disconnect in my employment experiences, but I can see how each role has contributed and added value to where I am today.
If you are contemplating or have been approached with an opportunity for a career change, I hope my story can offer you a few things to consider. Reflecting on my own journey, I faced numerous challenges and decisions, but each step provided valuable insights and growth. These elements played a crucial role in my transition. I hope these reflections can help guide you in your own career path.
My extraordinary relationship-building skills started back when I was a child. My nickname on the Vista team is “Talk it Out!” Talking AND listening is how we learn to communicate. When you find your people, those important life skills almost become second nature. BUT…they must be practiced regularly to be perfected. Tell others how they make you feel. Tell them when they made a difference in your life. Have the hard conversations…they will help you grow. I will forever be indebted to the individuals who invested in talking to me back when I was young. Because of them, I can deeply appreciate the importance of relationships.
Do not settle for a job where you cannot be your authentic self. You will be doing yourself and the organization a disservice if you do. When the purpose of your job aligns with your passion, you have found your place of most potential. Seek out an organization where you are not seen as a person who can DO a job but as a person who can contribute to the organization’s goals while being fully human, capable of making mistakes and learning from each of them.
Once you’ve found alignment within an organization or company, commit to making a difference there. Be determined to perfect a process or procedure that contributes to the overall goals of the business. Being in the customer service industry can be exhilarating and exhausting. Set a high standard for yourself. Perhaps being different is simply a change in perspective. Use what you are doing to become valuable to someone else.
Striking a balance between risk-taking and careful consideration in your career path is pivotal for long-term success and personal fulfillment. Before every major career change I faced, I made it a point to thoroughly assess the situation, weighing the pros and cons meticulously. Each decision involved thoughtful contemplation about my strengths, potential challenges, and the alignment of the opportunity with my core values and long-term goals. This process enabled me to approach each new venture with confidence and enthusiasm. Armed with this approach, I was able to dive into every opportunity with gusto, knowing that my calculated decisions laid a solid foundation for growth and achievement. This methodical balance of risk and prudence has been instrumental in navigating my diverse career path successfully.
While this journey is uniquely mine, I hope that by sharing it, you will be inspired to examine the relationships you invest in and the organization you work for. Reflect on what you bring to the table and seek alignment in your professional and personal life. Perhaps a career change is on the horizon for you? If so, don't be afraid to blaze your own trail and see where it leads. You have the power to make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you. So keep connecting, keep learning, and keep striving for greatness. The possibilities are endless!
