When I graduated from Clemson University in December 2020, I spent the next six months serving food at a local restaurant and applying for every job with the word marketing in the title. A classmate wasn't interested in the position, but they passed my résumé along to a family friend instead. That's how I found my way into the AEC industry as a Marketing Coordinator at a small architecture firm in Gastonia, North Carolina. 

At the time, I assumed career growth would come from working hard, keeping my head down, and gaining experience over time. I didn't realize that one decision, to volunteer for an SMPS committee, would completely change the trajectory of my career. I certainly had no idea that five years later, I would be leading the marketing department at my dream firm here in Colorado. 

The Leap: Joining SMPS Immediately 

The Marketing Director at my first firm encouraged me to join SMPS. Wanting to get out into my new city and meet people, I signed up for the Education Committee so I could attend committee meetings and help with chapter events. I've never loved walking into a room full of people I don't know, so arriving early to set up and work the name tag table felt like the perfect icebreaker. 

The more events I attended, the more I realized how much I needed this community. Every educational program gave me a better understanding of the industry, but just as importantly, it gave me a room full of people willing to share what they had learned. After all, how many of us graduate knowing what the AEC industry even is? Surrounded by seasoned marketers and business developers, I often felt like the least experienced person in the room. But instead of letting that intimidate me, I leaned in. I helped plan educational programs, volunteered wherever I could, and looked for ways to contribute. I didn't wait until I felt "qualified.” I simply started showing up. 

Opportunities Come to People Who Show Up 

About a year into my career, I received an unexpected phone call. I wasn't looking for a new job, but an SMPS Fellow had recommended me when a local engineering firm asked for referrals. That recommendation became my first major career opportunity. 

As my responsibilities at work grew, so did my commitment to SMPS. The more I volunteered, the more opportunities I had to develop leadership skills outside of my day job, and those experiences made me more confident in my career, too. I volunteered, helped plan educational programs, received Charlotte Chapter's Volunteer of the Year award in 2023, and eventually served as Education Chair from 2023-2024. 

Then another opportunity appeared. 

While scrolling LinkedIn one afternoon, I saw that Anderson Hallas Architects, my dream firm because of their work with the National Park Service, was hiring. After several rounds of interviews and more than a few questions about my limited years of experience, I received the offer. Before I knew it, I found myself packing a U-Haul and driving across the country. Once I arrived in Colorado, one of the first things I did was reconnect with the Education Committee. 

After helping lead several educational events, I met with the incoming Director of Education and soon stepped into the Co-Chair role in 2026. Now, as I prepare to serve as Director of Education, I often reflect on everything that has happened over the past five years. 

None of these opportunities came because I had the most years of experience. They came because people knew me. They had seen me volunteer, follow through on commitments, and genuinely invest in the profession. Long before anyone saw my résumé, they had seen my character. SMPS didn't just expand my network, it gave me the chance to build genuine relationships, develop leadership skills, and earn the trust of people who were willing to open doors I never could have opened on my own. 

Don’t wait. Raise Your Hand. 

Five years ago, I joined SMPS hoping to learn more about my profession. I never imagined it would shape my leadership style, expand my professional network, and fast-tracked my career in ways I couldn't have planned.  It accelerated my career because it gave me opportunities to learn, lead, and earn trust long before I had decades of experience. Those lessons have followed me to every role I've held. If you're a new member wondering whether to get involved, my advice is simple: don't wait. Raise your hand. Volunteer for the committee. Work the name tag table. Offer to help with an event. You never know which small "yes" will become the opportunity that changes your career.