Amy Saya

What is the one piece of career advice you wish someone gave you when you were younger?

When I was younger, back at age 15, I wish someone had told me the importance of self-confidence when participating in interviews. This is an area I needed much development in growing up throughout the years of work, mostly because I have a gentle and quiet personality. However, I have learned that success comes from showing interviewers and hiring professionals that I DO BELIEVE IN MYSELF. Arriving at an interview setting can be down-right nerve-wracking. Trust me I know... I used to sweat through my blazers every time I sat in an interview. But there is strength added to your resume when you actively and authentically show the person interviewing you that you are confident in your skill-set, big or small. What you have on your resume counts and you shouldn't doubt your potential!

What is the biggest challenge you had to overcome to get to where you are now professionally? How did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge I had to overcome to get where I am today was procrastination. Let's be real, I know many of you have dealt with procrastination in the past. But if I'm being honest, procrastination is going to get you no where. Period. Applying for jobs on my fancy "To-Do List" wasn't always easy to do, but the more I applied to various jobs, the better I become at understanding what interviewers were searching for. I overcame procrastination by literally picturing the word "procrastination" as a mountain keeping me between getting some pretty awesome jobs. But the valuable thing to notice, is that YOU are in control of putting that mountain where YOU want it to be. Think about where you want that "procrastination" mountain, or if you even need one at all... #foodforthought.

In layperson terms, what do you actually do at work?

As an enthusiastic recreation worker for the local community, I strategically plan, organize, and run programs for all ages. I have had the opportunity to lead infants in fine motor skill development through fun play and movements (song & dance), I have led countless sport programs from soccer to basketball to track and field for children and youth, and I have run active summer camps for children, among many other programs.

How did you start building your network?

1. Social Media (i.e. LinkedIn) 2. Actively meeting new people at work / volunteering opportunities who share similar interests 3. Seeking out mentors through mentorship associations through my University 4. Choosing to serve others on weekends / summer months (this was by the GREATEST method of growing my network because my name was passed around between communities I never would have interacted with on a normal basis - look for service opportunities through churches or NGO's)

What is it like when your job gets tough?

Most jobs have peaks of high stress levels from a variety of different sources. Stress is a normal part of work BUT learning how to push through work even in stressful times is the best outcome you can offer your fellow work mates and employers when everything seems crazy. Pushing through doesn't necessarily means pushing everyone away. I have learned the value in asking for help, offering help, and building on the aspect of teamwork to perform better in stressful situations.

When you were a student, did you do anything outside of school to build skills or get knowledge that has helped your career?

VOLUNTEERED! Never underestimate the power of volunteerism in your community. Never.

How did you pick your career? Did you know all along?

I let myself enjoy the process of learning in high school and in University. Some classes were much more favorable than others, so I used to look for volunteer opportunities or programs that offered similar touch points to what I enjoyed learning. I eventually chose my career half-way through my University career, but don't let that scare you. Some people know from high school what career they love, others will discover later down the road. Don't forget that the career you chose now is not set in stone. You're allowed to develop and grown into other careers down the road. :)

What is the most useful piece of career advice you got as a student, and who gave it to you?

"Never do your work at 99%, give it 100% effort." SO, I know this sounds cliche, but it really rocked my world when I heard it because it offered me a simple "motto" to remind myself whenever I was working on a project, big or small.