How 2020 Shaped My 2023 Career

Figuring Out What I Want

In 2018, the excitement of finishing my bachelor’s at Grand Canyon University was all-consuming. I was onto my Masters of Science in Leadership with an emphasis in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. I worked for the government in a legal setting, and I knew I was ready to pursue a career within my Masters.

I completed my M.S. in February of 2020. Then, COVID hit. In the wake of many people not being able to work, I was frantically searching for an emergency or crisis management position, yet all were COVID related. Companies were in a season where they needed years of expertise to help manage their business through the pandemic.

I continued my legal career with the government, then private firms. I was content, but I knew I wanted more and knew what I wanted. Law has always been a hobby; I enjoy true crime and the occasional drama that comes with the cases. But I always had a thing for improvement. I loved getting new degrees, promotions and learning new things. Using my education to emerge into my dream field was still my goal.

Finding My Dream Job

Fast forward to 2023, my interviews with Bryghtpath went well, and I was eager for a callback. Mainly because they made it feel like they “had all the answers.” I came in with many questions, hypotheticals, and overall curiosity. The two Bryghtpath team members I met with, Marie and Bray, answered all my questions with such a sense of honesty and humor that it caught my attention. Of course, they had the typical interview questions, but by the end of each call, it felt like I was talking to a colleague I’d worked with for years. The direct answers to my questions and the reassurance of Bryghtpath’s culture solidified that I was all in. I wanted this job to the highest degree.

Lastly, I met with Bryan, the CEO, and that interview embodied everything Marie and Bray said about the culture. It felt like a good fit for my education, experience, and, most of all, my personality. It is special to hold such high respect for your colleagues and boss because you can truly see their respect for you.

A Whole New World

My first week was filled with the normal nerves of starting a new job, plus the adrenaline rush of traveling. During my time at the Bryghtpath office, the team was prepared for everything to help my onboarding process. Checklists, Bryghtpath swag (shirts, jackets, stickers), and all the information I would need at my disposal. I felt like my team cared that I got my questions answered, and they took every step to elevate the training process. I had never felt so catered to for training, and it was something I won’t forget. I sat in on meetings, took notes, and did some digging into the software that we use. When I got back to Arizona, I had an arsenal of resources, training examples, and things to learn from.

My short time at Bryghtpath has changed the way I view company culture and core values. High expectations are flooded with high rewards that encourage me. My journey to Bryghtpath has surpassed any accumulation of ideas I had come up with for what my 2023 would look like. In the end, I thank 2020 for my 2023 position.