Operations Manager for VerTech Solutions Group

As a member of our leadership team, I'm responsible for integrating the strategic vision of the company by managing and driving revenue production, process innovation and implementation, and human resource planning and training.

Clear, concise writing is the backbone of success within my position. Whether I'm writing an email to the team describing a process change or developing a persuasive PowerPoint presentation to help win over a new client, my writing must not only be professional and articulate, it must also inspire action and adoption. Unfortunately, we don't have the availability to call a meeting every time we have information to share, so written communication is critical for informing, persuading, and inspiring the action we need to be successful.

After graduation, I started a job as a Document Imaging Specialist at an asphalt company, which means I spent 8-hours a day scanning every paper file from the past 30 years for online storage. It was the opposite of stimulating work, but it gave me the head space and time to think about where I wanted to be and what I wanted to be doing. It was during this time that VerTech Solutions Group, a cloud software company, reached out to offer a part-time, remote job opportunity as Technical Communications Specialist. After three months working remote from Iowa, they asked me to relocate and take on a full-time job in Denver, Colorado. Naturally curious about how things work, I took on more and more responsibilities within my role—everything from software training and CRM development to website design to even managing payroll. After three years, I was promoted to Operations Manager and became a member of the leadership team. As our company grows, so too does my position, which is exactly what I love about it.

I frequently think about the Business Communications course that I took with Professor Toth my junior year, specifically when writing difficult emails to the team or our clients. Writing emails is an art form, and the principles I learned in that class help me on a daily basis. I also saw huge benefits from the Writing for the Web classes I took with Professor Royer. Though I no longer manage our company's website, understanding the basics of HTML and CSS has greatly supported my overall software development knowledge, a critical piece to driving the operations of a team who is developing within these frameworks.

While in college, get a part time job in the field you want to be in. Then, get another job in something slightly different. Then, for good measure, try one more. Not only will you begin to determine what you do or do not like, but you will be able to immediately apply the concepts and principles that you are learning in class. For me, application has always been critical in truly learning a subject, and working in a variety of writing-focused jobs provided context to further enhance my education. Also, take "Large Boat Sailing" as one of your elective classes because you live in Michigan and should sail at least once in your life!