We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Deanna Wilson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. DeAnna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?

Most people would not have done what I did to get my first job in the field. I was working for a local governmental agency and my sister, DiShell Hammond, called me and said, “send me your resume.” I asked her, “what for?” She told me there was a job at the agency that she worked at and she was going to submit my resume. I said, “okay” and sent my resume.

Now let’s be clear. I had no idea what this job was for, had not seen a job description, nor did I know the job requirements or salary. However, what I did know was that my sister knew me well, probably best, and would not steer me in the wrong direction.

Fast forward to the interview day. I was sitting at my mom’s house waiting on the interview start time because my mom resided across the street from the agency where I was interviewing. My mom and aunt were there that day and asked me about the job I was interviewing for. I relayed to them that I didn’t have any information for the job but that my sister has suggested I interview. Both of them looked at me like with confusion in their eyes. Both told me that I should not go to the interview. You see, I was raised to be prepared for job interviews. So they were not in support of me ‘winging it.’

I went to the job interview and was impressed with the job interviewer and the job piqued my interest. It was a supervisory position where I would work with multiple agencies in the community in a family preservation program. I was intrigued by the program and has a passion for helping families, so the job was aligned with my goals to work in the field and help families.

Needless to say, I was hired at The Neighborhood House, Incorporated in Columbus, Ohio as the Family-To-Family Coordinator. I was nervous because the program was could have a lasting impact on the community. And what made it even more special was that the community I would work in was the community I grew up in.

This job, it was more than a job to me, was instrumental in my professional development, my community enhancement, and impactful on my personal development as well. I am ecstatic that this was my first job in the field. I learned and grew as a person and a professional. I developed and honed my leadership skills, communication skills, decision-making skills and so much more. In fact, I stayed at the Neighborhood House, Inc for more than 5 years and rose through the ranks. When I left the agency, I was the Chief Operations Officer and the person who was next in leadership under the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am Dr. DeAnna Wilson. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). I grew up and thought I was going to be an attorney. I participated in an attorney preparation program when I was in high school. I spent the summer learning about attorneys, the path to become an attorney and even worked in an attorney’s office. However, as fate would have it, I graduated undergrad early and started working. When it came time to enter law school, I didn’t want to quit my job to attend. It seems you can’t work during your first year of law school.
As fate would continue to work, and I share about my first job in the field, my sister would call me about another opportunity and I traveled down that road.

Who am I? I am a naturally driven, caring, nurturing soul. I have a strong desire to help people reach their full potential. I have always been a helper. Whether that was helping my mom and aunts out in the kitchen, to helping my friends solve their problems, or to being a helper in school working with my teachers, I have wanted to assist people accomplish goals. Many would also say that I have always been a leader. I was Student Council President in school, helped my friends earn great grades and even unofficially mentored younger students.

I guess it is not a surprise that I am a counselor by trade. While I didn’t know that I wanted to be a counselor, my path pointed in this direction all of my life. I spent many years working in the community and my supervisor at that time had a rule for the managers. You had to present at a local, statewide or national conference each year. This initially was terrifying to me. I did not like to speak in front of people. However, I became more confident in my speaking abilities and began speaking at multiple conferences a year.

Today, I own Rejuvenation Training and Consulting, LLC. I help individuals and agency’s Revitalize, Transform, and Excel in their personal lives and careers through the facilitation of professional development opportunities. What sets me apart from others? My ability to take serious topics, such as leadership, diversity, equity, inclusion, resilience and ethics, and deliver information is an engaging, thoughtful and exciting manner. I mean, I have FUN facilitating workshops and want my participants to enjoy their time with me as well.

I am proud of the work that I do to contribute to the enhancement of individual lives and careers. I have been able to combine my nurturing nature with my leadership skills to create a company and brand that empowers others, all the while, loving what I do. If you are seeking to foster meaningful growth and change, partner with Rejuvenation Training and Consulting, LLC to help you and your team reach higher heights and thrive both personally and professionally.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

If I could go back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Though I began with the dream of becoming an attorney, my journey led me to become a counselor, counselor educator, and entrepreneur. This path, with all its twists and turns, has been the most beautiful and fulfilling one for me, and I would choose it again without hesitation because of the invaluable experiences it brought.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Success in any field hinges on key elements: building strong networks, confidently sharing your work, and consistently honing your skills. Networking opens doors to opportunities and collaborations, while putting your work out there allows your expertise to be recognized and valued. However, it’s your competence and commitment to excellence that solidifies your reputation and drives long-term success. By embracing these principles, you position yourself to grow, connect, and achieve your goals

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rejuvenationtrainingandconsulting.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/W4sfHSBsCkmxtoia/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-wilson-phd-lpc-ncc-crc-9b5b86132

Image Credits

Alonzo Wilson