I met Ashley years ago when she attended a conference program I co-led on how to use storytelling to make employer branding more compelling and credible.

She stood out among all the participants because of her bright energy and enthusiasm about the topic…both about learning more and sharing what she was doing in this area.

Because she was such a bright light, I knew she was going places in her career and reached out a few years later on LinkedIn to see how she was doing.

We had a couple of brief conversations after that and eventually I asked her if I could do a career journey interview, based on the interesting experiences and insights she had.

We did the interview a few years ago. This is Part One.

Below the video, you will find key takeaways and highlights.

 

Career Journey Inflection Points and Lessons Learned

  • Transferable Skills First: Ashley intentionally built writing, communication, and technology skills before knowing her exact career path.
  • Internship as Launch Pad: Real work—not busy work—gave her experience that employers valued.
  • Learning Over Salary: She accepted a modest-paying role because the experience would compound over time.
  • Reputation Through Excellence: Every assignment became an opportunity to build her personal brand.
  • Layoff as Redirection: An early recession-driven layoff ultimately accelerated her career.
  • Discovering Digital Marketing: Innovation projects at Turner Construction revealed her passion.
  • Growing into Leadership: Each role expanded her influence from contributor to strategist and leader.

Ashley’s Career Principles

  • Give 150%: Every email, presentation, and project contributes to your reputation.
  • Say Yes: Volunteer for projects that stretch your abilities.
  • Keep Learning: On-the-job learning often becomes your greatest education.
  • Share Successes: Document and communicate your impact professionally.
  • Differentiate Yourself: Your experiences are your competitive advantage.
  • Network to Learn: Approach people with genuine curiosity rather than asking for favors.

David’s Coaching Themes

  • Everything Matters: Small daily actions create your professional brand.
  • Look for Principles: Extract lessons instead of simply admiring someone’s success story.
  • Career Change is Emotional: Successful careers include uncertainty, rejection, and reinvention.

Reflection Questions

  • Ask Yourself: What skills am I intentionally building?
    • Where am I playing it too safe?
    • What project could expand my reputation?
    • Have I stopped learning in my current role?
    • What story or lesson could I share that would help others?