Jennifer Berner

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

I actually wanted to go to school for art therapy. Art and people have always been my passions. I couldn't afford the schools I got into that directly accepted me into their programs so I decided to go to OSU as they had a diverse set of options being so large. Where I have ended up so far, was not anywhere near where I thought I'd be but I couldn't be happier. I ended up rapidly moving from Art Therapy to Computer Science (which ended up not interesting me), a short jaunt in Psych to treat the waters, next to Business with an HR focus, and settling on Fashion Merchandising all while still being able to graduate in 4 years and a quarter. During that time I worked part-time, was in a Sorority, maintained high grades, did 2 internships and was offered some really amazing opportunities I didn't take (marketing promoter internship in NYC, internship at a design house in NYC, job as a buyer at a now closed business, interviewed for a buyer at RLG, and more). None of that could have prepared me to not really use my degree and end up working at a large and growing company like Safelite in a dream role where I don't even feel like I've hit my potential/ capability yet but have earned 2 fairly exclusive company awards for my performance, ideas, and project on employee welfare.

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

It's been a long time since I was a student. I'm not sure where this advice came from but it's not uncommon. When the world says you can't, show them you can. You control what you can do and what you can't. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. If you want to, if you have the drive and desire, you will find the way to success. Roadblocks are just that, something in the way. You can try to move it but it's probably easier to go around it or over it. Whatever you do, don't let the roadblock stand in your way. Also. Work smarter, not harder. Know your limits and push yourself past them. It's important to make time for fun just as much as studying to help you focus when you need to and fun can relieve tension. I always had one "fun" class a quarter like horse back riding, photography, clay pottery, on top of the classes I needed to stay on track.

How did you start building your network?

I started in college. I was in a Sorority which not only have me connections in school and after graduation but helped me learn better communication skills and how to connect with people. This is a crucial skill for interviewing as well as pretty much anywhere in the business world. I never burnt a bridge at a job; ever. You never know who could run into later at a Company you want to work for. Keep in good standing at every job; they make great network connections. After school, consider joining alumnae groups or looking for young professionals network events; most larger cities have tons. Use every opportunity in your daily life to look for possible connections. Always put yourself out there, you never know who you will meet.

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

It's silly, simple, and my favorite thing to share with new hires. It works best in a sales scenario but can be really applied anywhere. 1. Be a duck. In sales they say you have to have a short memory; meaning you can't let an interaction with a prior customer impact the next customer you get because they have no idea what you have dealt with that day, just what their concern is. Shake off the "water" (interaction) like a duck surfacing from underwater for each new costumer. Also- ducks appear calm in the surface of the water to everyone but underneath their feet may be going a mile a minute. This means, no matter what's running through your head, always appear calm and in control. No one needs to know if you are nervous in day one, two, or two hundred. If you have good leaders, they will always be there to help you through that so you can be calm on the surface too. Be a duck.

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

I lead leaders, develop teams, as well as handle and train others to handle very difficult conversations. I manage staff to meet performance metrics, drive performance, and performance manage those out who cannot meet expectations. I handle hiring, training, development, corrective action conversations, terminations, unemployment hearings, and anything related to the staff with pay increases as well. I am currently re- working the structure of an entire back office department including new role responsibilities, key performers metrics for accountability, increasing staffing, redefining objectives for each department, getting ready to switch over and train a brand new program to the entire staff, set new pay incentives for annual budgeting, more.