✍️Doing It Anyway: Growing into a Career I Never Expected

If you told me a few years ago that I’d be working in marketing and business development and representing a professional training company at industry events, I probably would’ve laughed. I was just some 21-year-old with a small dog training and pet care business, trying to pay rent and navigate a tough home life. I had always believed I’d become a dog trainer, herpetologist, or vet- or at least end up with a career working with the animals I love so much.

But life had other plans.

My career started by chance, doing data entry and research for Scholefield Construction Law. It wasn’t something I planned. I had no idea that one of my dog training clients would become my future boss- someone who would completely change the trajectory of not only my career, but my mentality and many other aspects of my life. But it turned out to be the first step on a path I didn’t even know I wanted.

Learning as I Go - The “I’ll Figure It Out” Phase

Over time, more opportunities came my way. I was surrounded by an incredibly supportive team and work environment, which made me want to do my part and help however I could. Whenever new tasks came up, I said yes- even if I didn’t actually know what I was doing yet.

Eventually, my responsibilities shifted from data entry to including marketing tasks for a new company, OnSite Pro Development, founded by Pam Scholefield, who also leads Scholefield Construction Law. While OPD is a separate business, it was born from Pam’s vision to expand her passion for educating and empowering professionals in the construction industry. I saw that contagious passion of hers and wanted to contribute. After a year of working under Scholefield Construction Law, my employment shifted to working directly with OnSite Pro Development.

I didn’t have a formal marketing background- or any marketing background, but I dove in anyway. I spent my free time studying through what we call “YouTube University,” learning everything I could to understand my new role.

When Pam offered to enroll me in a Digital Marketing Certification course, I jumped at the opportunity. That course opened my eyes to new mindsets and showed me how much there was to learn and how exciting it could be to be part of building something new.

What’s Behind the Door? - Entering the Professional World for the First Time

As my role grew, so did my confidence (and my nerves). My work evolved from remote marketing tasks to also including business development, which meant attending trade group events and networking in person for the first time.

I’ll be honest: it was intimidating. I was 22 years old, walking into rooms full of people who had been in the industry for decades. I remember my first trade group meeting vividly- my heart was racing the whole time, and I was so unbelievably nervous when the time came to introduce myself and the company I represent.

So much was running through my mind:

• “How do I interact in this kind of environment?”

  
  

• “I’m representing OPD, I need to make a good impression.”

  
  

• “I’m not on the same level as these business professionals.”

  
  

• “What if my inexperience is grossly obvious?”

  
  

But I went anyway. And that decision made all the difference.

That first meeting and the meetings that followed taught me that it’s okay to be new. Not only do people understand, but they can also tell when you’re trying, and most of them want to help. These experienced men and women have seen dozens of inexperienced people walk through those doors, and they were new once too. When you show up with genuine effort, people notice. You don’t have to walk in with decades of experience, you just need to show up and do your best- be present, ask questions, get to know people.

What I’ve Learned One Year In - Confidence Isn’t a Finish Line

Now, a year later, I’d be lying if I said I feel like I know exactly what I’m doing. There’s this idea that “when I grow up, I’ll know everything.” But I’m learning that you’re always just going to be you- no matter your age or experience. Every new person you meet and every networking event you attend will be a new experience.

But if you go in with the passion and determination to do your best- that’s all you can do. We’re only human; we don’t grow into robots, we will never know everything. There will always be “what ifs.” But nothing will happen if you let those “what ifs” prevent you from trying.

The truth is, growth doesn’t come from knowing everything- it comes from showing up, trying, learning, and doing it anyway.