Kate Salyers graduated from the University of Oregon in 2004. While at the University, Kate completed a double major in Economics and Business, graduating with honors from both departments. Kate is currently employed as a commercial banking assistant with Pacific Continental Bank. Kate is training to become a commercial lender. After spending three years in auto lending, Kate felt that it was time for a change. Kate enjoys business lending because it allows her to “ think outside the box ” as she so aptly put it. For Kate, commercial lending brings a certain level of satisfaction that would not have been otherwise obtained in the consumer lending sector.
While at the University of Oregon, Kate obtained her best advice from an Alumni member. Kate was told to view herself as holding a jar, which contains boulders, pebbles, sand, and water. The boulders are supposed to represent the values which you hold most important when considering a potential employment opportunity. For instance, Kate wanted to work in Eugene, not to be micro-managed, and to have a lack of monotony in her work. To Kate these were some of her boulders. Essentially, as you rank your values you progress through boulders, pebbles, sand, and water. With water being the things that you are most flexible about.
In a time of a lower than average placement opportunities Kate accelerated to the head of the pack, receiving multiple job offers. Kate started searching for potential employers well before a majority of her peers. Kate searched through annual reports, as well as talking to clients of the businesses she was interested in. Kate had a wealth of knowledge about techniques that will help you find a job before you graduate. Kate started working for Pacific Continental while still in school since then she hasn’t looked back. Upon listening to Kate speak it was obvious why she has been so successful. If she attacks her work with as much diligence, as she attacked the job hunting process, the Executives within her company better watch out, because a new competitor has entered the ranks.
Kate’s Keys to Success
1. Start early
2. Be aggressive and flexible at the same time
3. Talk to more than one company
4. Find a mentor
5. Networking never ends internal/external
6. When going to the interview know as much as you
can
7. Interview them as much as they do you
8. If a women, look to see if there are female
executives within the company
9. Remember it is easier to switch jobs within the
company than to change companies
10. Remember that large companies forecast
employment need, smaller companies can’t wait.
Profile by Justin Thompson (2005)