Experience is often valued because of the lessons prior jobs have theoretically provided us with. While hearing about those lessons isn’t a replacement for actually experiencing it, we thought it would be very helpful to create a space where sharp and generous members of the community can come together to share stories and lessons learned at prior jobs for the benefit of others.

Joanna St. Angelo

I learned a lot of valuable things at previous jobs. Even some of my very early work experiences gave me insights and skills I still use today. When I was in college I worked for a caterer and learned to coordinate large events such as dinners, wedding receptions, etc. Read more>>

Courtnie Nichols

The most important lesson I learned from my previous career and job as a fundraiser is ” Relationships are key” I might have learned this concept even earlier on in life as my dad was a politician and is a businessman and was always very engaged and immersed in the local community Read more>>

Allison Rimland

The most important lesson I learned in a prior job was that not only could I survive being laid off, but it ended up being one of the best things to happen to me professionally. Read more>>

Jennifer Crane

Before I started Delphine, my entire career had been spent in e-commerce merchandising and marketing. I saw many strategies come and go, whether pricing, promotions, or product selections. Read more>>

Jacquline Wilson

My extensive background in both hospitality and finance has uniquely positioned me to excel in the wedding planning industry and ultimately lead to the successful partnership in opening a wedding and event venue. Read more>>

Mollie Peiren

I used to work in a production environment and because I was only in one or two of the locations in the production process, I didn’t always know or understand how what I was doing affected the next person or more down the process from me. Read more>>

Molly Schenck

I was recently in a supervisor training class for a grant program I’m a part of and the “ice breaker question” was what was a lesson you learned from your first job. So, let’s set the stage. Read more>>

Lizzy Crowne

The most important lesson I’ve learned from previous jobs (and continue to re-learn this lesson over and over) is that you do your best work when you do your best rest. Read more>>

Nicole Natal

When I lived in Los Angeles, I worked as a Nurse assistant in triage for five years. It was a brutal career but it taught me several things that have helped me to this day. Read more>>

Bethany Arledge

I am a hairdresser first but I’ve had many lives in this industry. I obtained my educators Lisence in 2013 and taught in a Paul Mitchell School for several years before the job I have now. Read more>>

Ron Roecker

“If it feels weird, it is weird.” The head of our security team for the GRAMMY Awards, Bob Schlessinger, would always give this as his most important piece of advice. It did not matter if you were head of Communications, a talent escort, part of the crew or a volunteer. Read more>>

Lindsay Marks

I had been a coach at Orangetheory Fitness for 1 year and our regional trainer was taking and observing my class to provide feedback on how I was doing. He was monitoring the process of my coaching skills but more importantly the way I was connecting with members and staff. Read more>>

Carolyn Land

Nature grounds me and art is a way I found to express my love of it and of life. I think the arts are all important to not only the happiness of all individuals but as a way to record history. Read more>>

Vaughndio Forbes

One of the most important things that I learned before entering this creative career is that you will fail. Everyone has this stigma of not failing at something but it’s just a part of the process. Read more>>

Jake Muise

Whenever you can write it down! In a previous role, I learned a tough lesson by not having an agreement in writing and I’ve carried that lesson forward by trying to document important agreements of any kind. Read more>>