Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Welcome to the Blueprint brought to you by Brilliant Pathways. I'm your host, Manny Tejeda. In this forward thinking podcast, we explore the evolving challenges and opportunities in preparing students for college and career success.
Offering expert insights, actionable strategies and real life stories to help listeners better support young people as they draw their future.
Welcome to the Blueprint. In today's episode, it's all about breaking the mold. Taking the path that doesn't start with college, but still leads to big wins in corporate America.
What happens when the road to success begins with military service instead of a college campus? How does that experience compare to the traditional four year degree? And where can the two paths intersect? To even bigger opportunities.
Meet our guest, Stephanie Semper. Skip the four year standard degree enlisted in service before landing a key role at a global provider of language and technology solutions. Stephanie, welcome to the Blueprint.
Thank you.
[00:01:09] Speaker B: Happy to be here.
[00:01:11] Speaker A: So I'll give you all kind of an idea of Stephanie's story, but obviously we have her here so she'll share a little bit more. After high school, college didn't seem right for her, so she chose the military instead. Along the way, she's built an impressive career across multiple industries and now leads as global Director of Client Experience at Transperfect. Stephanie, tell us a little bit more about your journey.
[00:01:35] Speaker B: Yes.
Well, as you've said, at the end of high school, sitting in a classroom was not for me. I always found it to be challenging. I lacked the focus, I lacked the discipline.
And I thought, okay, let's, let's go to the military. And I mean, I'll really admit it wasn't the most thought out plan. It wasn't. I just went, this was pre 9, 11, the, the military, it wasn't mainstream, it wasn't like, you know, as in the public eye as it is now. So I, I just didn't do my research, but I went, I didn't know at that time when what I was good at, what I was not good at, what I wanted to do.
Luckily, I was put in the medical field and that really changed everything for me. I found that, okay, I love service, I love people.
I served in the military. After the military, I went into government contracting. And with a military background and not a degree, government contracting is a really great option. It's, you know, accessible for those types of credentials.
There isn't as much flexibility, there isn't as much autonomy with those jobs. They just kind of are what they are. And I found that one of the drawbacks to having that sort of position was There was an expiration date and your contract is only good for as long as your contract is good. And I didn't like that lack of stability after that in talking with some of my friends at the gym, they were firefighter medics. And I was like, oh, okay, well, that sounds cool. So I thought, why not? So I took that jump. Just like the military. It wasn't the most well thought out plan, but I just thought like, okay, let me just give this a try and see how it goes. It was a scary jump. I will admit that. It was a scary jump. I went through the whole process. It was a year long hiring process, but I became a firefighter medic and served my time there. And eventually I made my way to Transperfect. I was aware of Transperfect. I knew about the company, I knew about what they did, I loved what they did. I think one of the things that was important to me was they made just things in the world accessible via leveling the language playing field. I really like that. I wanted to be a part of it. When I started at Transperfect, I was in a sales role and it was, it was a really good introduction to corporate America. I think at that time I would describe myself as an adult with training wheels. You know, I had been in the military, I had been a firefighter. Like, I just didn't know the corporate America world. So that was an amazing introduction, you know, to work for a company that had great culture, there was traveling opportunities, there were like all these people from everywhere. Like, I loved it, I loved it. And I worked in that role for about four years, but I still kind of found myself longing for more of like the people aspect, the service aspect. I mean, thus far, a big part of my life was so service oriented. I wanted to like find a position that kind of fit that a little bit better for me.
I came across Client Experience.
And at its core, Client Experience is a group where we work as the voice of the customer within our company.
So what that means is we are meeting with clients, we are talking about how things are, you know, positive feedback, maybe things we can be doing different or better for them. And then taking that feedback and getting it actioned in our organization to just make something better. I feel like it was such a natural thing for me because whether it's, you know, whether it was military in the medical field or whether it was firefighting, my goal was just to make anything better for anyone. So I found as my journey went on, that client experience was that natural fit for me.
It's a whole lot of info in a short amount of time. It's 20 years in the making.
[00:05:57] Speaker A: That's awesome. I liked what you mentioned about jumping in sometimes feeling like you didn't have a plan, but obviously the plan in itself is taking action. Right. So that's one. So you had that. The other thing is, you mentioned you were selected for medical in the military. Right. So can you walk us through a little bit about what that process was like at Brilliant Pathways? One of the things that we do with our scholars is to make sure they have an understanding of what things they like, what maybe positions they might be good at, and then research from there on.
[00:06:34] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:06:34] Speaker A: That way they can find careers that could be a good match. And I know the military. There might be something similar.
Yeah.
[00:06:41] Speaker B: Well, when you enter into the military and you don't know a specific field you want to go in, or I think maybe even if you do, you have to take a test. It's called the ASVAB test. It. It checks your general knowledge in like electrical, general, just different sort of skills. And then from there you kind of go into a pool and they're like, maybe this person's good on security forces. Maybe this person's good in medical. I was terrible in electrical. Like, I was terrible. So I know I. I'm never to do any electrical work in my home. Definitely not as a job. So that was out.
So my scores came back good in the general category. And that oftentimes it had been your medical professionals, it had been security forces, and it kind of goes off of your scores. I would like to recommend that everyone does do their research because sometimes people do go in saying, I want to do this. And then from like, maybe what I do know about it. This sounds like the perfect job. And like any job description anywhere, it's not always as it sounds or, you know, going into the military. Of course they offer amazing educational benefits. They do. But knowing what it takes to get to the place in your career to leverage those benefits is really important because it's not always as easy as as it's being sold. And it is possible. It is a beautiful benefit, but just make sure you know, you know what the actual benefit is. So, like, the test will help steer you in a direction, but like, maybe even just researching online, like if, you know, you're a people person and you're passionate about people or care, sure. Looking at the medical field, but then there's maybe other routes too. Personnel, maybe, you know, back of the house stuff.
There's so many jobs but like definitely researching what does that job mean.
And I mean, and what that military job means in different environments. You know, there's the job when you're just on your day to day, Monday through Friday in the US there's that job when you're deployed. You know, I think the climate right now for the military is different than I was in. You know, there is that chance of deployment, your position could change, your role could change. And you just want to be aware of what you're getting into. So you're not talked into it. You know, you can go to the recruiter and you can be the expert in the positions or the job or the field that you want to go to. So you're not talked into any one thing. I mean really do your homework and be your own advocate. When I look back on my experience, thank God it worked out the way it did. But what if it didn't? Like it would have, it would have changed things. I wish I knew to look into things a little bit more when, when it was my time.
[00:09:34] Speaker A: So that research piece is, it's really important.
[00:09:36] Speaker B: I think it's huge.
[00:09:38] Speaker A: Awesome. So it sounds like obviously military experience super valuable. I'm curious because I know many companies, they embrace these skill based hiring that often times military folks have. Right. But research shows that a bachelor's degree is still required for many professional tracks and promotions.
So can you walk us through a little bit about your experience and how you navigated those as you left the military?
[00:10:06] Speaker B: Yeah, as, so as I left, as I mentioned, I went directly into government contracting. So making that jump to a civilian world with military experience made so much sense in the government contracting world. And that was at that point in time. Like I had learned about this job from someone at the gym and he had a company that was awarded something and was looking for people to fill the role. And I mean I still didn't quite have a handle on what I was doing or where I was going. So it was for an executive assistant role.
And you know, a position like that transcends different industries. So it was just kind of a way to get my foot into the door. I think looking at positions that do offer, you know, that do market to someone with a military background is a good place to start. I know I have separated from the military like 20 years ago, but I think since then there has been improvement on, I think it's called taps, the transition assistance program. And getting military members prepared for the workforce.
[00:11:17] Speaker A: I think we'll get to some of those skills. Right?
[00:11:20] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:11:21] Speaker A: Because you've been mentioning them, but obviously from the brilliant pathway side, we don't always want to toot their own horn about what some of those skills might be. But can you share in terms of thinking about our listeners? They might be working with a student, they might have a student at home who is thinking about perhaps the military or following a similar career path as you. What would be some of the lessons learned? How can they create kind of a supportive environment for students to be successful in a similar career path as you have taken? And obviously not every career is going to be the same. Right?
[00:12:03] Speaker B: One of the biggest things anyone can do to support someone who, who's about to embark on their journey is knowing that success looks different to everyone.
And success doesn't always mean you are a doctor, you are an engineer. And it doesn't necessarily even mean it's like an end point. Sometimes success for someone could be the journey. It could be small wins along the way. It could be anything. And I think instead of putting success into a, you need to go to a four year school, then you need to do this and then you need to do that. Really like sit down and hear out what success looks like to that person. Not everyone is afforded the luxury of having these grandioso plans and dreams and sometimes just getting a job, getting a steady job, sometimes just, you know, paying your bills and putting food on the table, that's a success.
And I think really listening to what the person is saying of this is what I want, this is what success looks like to me. This is what maybe success looks like along the way. So I know I'm going in the right path, but not ever putting on your idea of what success is, is like, why can't Johnny just go to school and be an engineer? Maybe Johnny doesn't want to go to school to be an engineer. And that's okay. I think just really being a sounding board. I'm going through this, you know, I'll be going through this right now. I have a son in high school and I want to do that for him. You know, I want to provide more of a guardrail approach. So instead of saying you need to go do this, you need to do that, I need this for you. I want to know what he wants, you know, I need to know what direction he wants to go in. He can just kind of go down his course and then I find myself there as the parent to be the guardrails that keep them kind of reined in. I mean, he may be bouncing off the guardrails down the Road. And that's okay. I do really think, maybe because it's this way for me personally, but I do really believe that some of our best lessons learned are from getting a little burned. Getting a little burned. You kind of got to learn the hard way.
And I, as a parent, want to be there, to be the guardrail. So he doesn't get burned a lot, you know, learn his lesson. Yes. He must get totally derailed and burned and broken. No, no. But that's why kind of have him operating, you know, in between.
[00:14:35] Speaker A: That's really awesome. And I think that that's a nice way to look at it. I think for many of us and many of our listeners who, you know, whether it be their own kids or. Or students that we work with, there's a lot of influence that we can have. And I think it's important and to be very mindful of that impact.
Because if we don't listen to what they want, they're often burning themselves in doing something that we thought they should do.
[00:15:09] Speaker B: Yeah, they don't learn as much. They can rebel. I mean, you want them to kind of make their own mind and have their own autonomy to feel the successes and feel the failures, and then ultimately that's what leads to growth.
That's my opinion. One of the other lessons that I learned is with most of the positions I've had, I did have this network, and going through it, I didn't exactly think like, oh, that's great for my network. And when I look back on my experience and I look back at my roles and these opportunities, they've been incredible. And they came by way of this leveraging my network. Only to me, it wasn't my network. It was my buddies. It was my friends. It was. I mean, I'm the type I will talk to anyone, anywhere about anything. But, you know, I take all that in in the conversation. And then when, you know, I've been to these crossroads in my life where I'm like, maybe I want to go this way, maybe I want to go that way. I'm like, oh, well, so and so's doing this. Why don't I talk to them? I found my network came in the form of just people that I knew, you know, And I think it would be so valuable that, like, you collect these relationships and these people in your life, and, you know, when you need them, they can be there. I do think, you know, as I mentioned before doing research, I do think having a network and having maybe someone that's on the end, that is the best because you're like basically have a behind the scenes access to like a job posting or something. Like when I was looking at Transperfect, sure I can read about it all day long online, but what was more valuable than knowing someone on the inside who could tell me what it was really? Like, what are their pros, what are their consultants? Same with the military. You know, there are pros and cons to every position that I've had. And knowing that I could just call a friend or call a buddy or a buddy's buddy and talk about that. I mean, I think people inherently want to help other people. And if you reach out to someone like, hey, do you know anyone who is in the military that would be willing to talk to me like I would talk to anyone? And I think that's echoed across other industries, I think really paying attention to who your actual network is. And it's honestly surprising. That was invaluable to me. The other part, which I've learned this throughout my life over and over again, is I'm a really big fan. Love the song. Make your own kind of music. Sing your own special song. And I feel like so much of that song resonates with me because I've just been putt, putting along, making my own kind of music.
And I think something like that is so powerful because not everyone needs to take that traditional four year path. It's not for everyone and that's okay. But again with the research and just being aware of what kind of music you're going to make, what that path looks like, what the roadblocks are. I mean to sit and say that my roadblocks not having a degree are just the same as someone having a degree. No, they're not. But everyone has those roadblocks. So whether it's like you choose a more traditional path or not, I think doing that research, you know, so you can just, you can just make your own music. But you have to know that your roadblocks may be different than someone who does have that ticket, you know, to get their foot in the door that does have different credentials.
And I think the biggest thing when you're kind of taking an untraditional path path is if you're going to make your own music, like you really have to make your music, you have to make it. There's no, there's no half measure. There's no, none of that, none of that. You. You have to commit and you have to do it. And I think before someone chooses to kind of venture out on a path, just Kind of knowing a direction, knowing a goal, knowing yourself, it can all, I mean, everything can work out. You know, a degree or a traditional education isn't going to hold you back. It's not, you know, it's not going to prevent you from doing anything. But just having that research done, I think is really important. Then, yes, go. Go make your own music.
[00:19:28] Speaker A: That's awesome, Stephanie. So to wrap things up, I just want to remind folks at Brilliant Pathways we know success looks different for everyone. College, trade school, the military, or the workforce. Our mission is to empower every student to graduate high school with a clear, personalized plan for their to help them find success on their own terms. Stephanie, your journey reminded us of that today. The journey to success isn't always linear or traditional. And I think having that growth mindset of wanting to taking the most out of experiences, whether you start in the military or in the workforce, the skills that you develop in each position that you have can lead you to open doors in the future, even when education is not part of that equation.
So thank you so much for joining us today and it was our pleasure to have you as part of the Blueprint podcast. Thank you so much.
[00:20:28] Speaker B: Thanks for having me.
[00:20:31] Speaker A: Support for this podcast comes from Brilliant Pathways, an organization that had spent over 30 years helping students make opportunities happen.
Connect with us wherever you get your podcast. And thank you for joining us on the Blueprint. I'm Manny Tejeda, your host, and I'll see you next time.
