To do the work you love, you’ve got to unlock a few doors. UNLOCKED Stories are honest conversations with 20 and 30-somethings who chose a path + made it happen. 

A note from Ellen: I’m thrilled to spotlight Jane in this installment of UNLOCKED Stories, because she’s a perfect example of somebody who saw a specific problem in the world — de-forestation + other harmful farming practices — decided to make a difference, and actually made it happen. Even if your career has nothing to do with saving the planet, I know you’re going to be inspired by Jane’s story. I know I am. Read on, and don’t miss the powerful questions at the very end…

 

  

: What do you do? 

I work at a company called SCS Global Services, which partners with brands like Starbucks, Ferrero and Numi — and organizations such as Fair Trade USA — to make sure that consumers can trust the labels on the products they buy.

Simply put: we make sure that if a label says, “certified organic,” you can believe it.

  

: Where did the original idea for your work come from?

I wasn’t always interested in organic farming and sustainability, but I’ve always been interested in traveling and understanding how all the different parts of our world are connected.

A few years after graduating from college, I moved to Thailand for 2 years. I still didn’t know what I wanted to do as a long-term career, but I did know that I wanted to travel. So, I followed my gut and trusted that I’d figure it out.

While in Thailand, I saw the devastating impact of de-forestation, first-hand.
Seeing the damage that was being done to our planet was startling, and I immediately wanted to raise awareness about what was happening.

After returning home to California, I discovered an amazing non-profit called the Hilton Bialek Habitat (now MEarth), which taught kids all about sustainable, planet-friendly farming. Every day for 4 months, I drove past the Habitat facility and finally mustered up the courage to knock on the door and offer to volunteer. Before I knew it, I was developing and running the native plant program!

  

  

: What was you biggest “LOCKED DOOR” moment? Did you almost give up on your dream?

Even once I’d found my “path,” there were lots of moments when I felt very confused. Should I keep traveling, or get a job? Keep the job, or go back to school? Neither, both, or all of the above? It wasn’t that other people were telling me, “no.” It was more like my own fears and hesitations were getting in the way.

Learning to trust my gut, no matter what, has been a lifelong lesson for me. It’s always been the key to moving forward.

  

: How did you feel at that moment? 

Honestly, I went through a period where I felt really stuck.

While I loved working at the Habitat, I missed being able to travel and I wanted to do sustainability work that would impact millions, not just hundreds. I hated leaving a great job, but I knew that I needed to connect with my larger vision. It took time to figure things out, but I’m so glad I trusted my heart.

  

: Happily, you managed to UNLOCK that door. How did you do it?

I weighed all the options, and finally decided to take a big risk and go to graduate school. I enrolled at the University of Washington’s School of Forest Resources and began a master’s program. It seemed crazy to study such an obscure subject — Forest Resources! — with no clear “career plan” in place. But I trusted that my studies would lead me to the work I wanted to be doing. Turns out, I was right.

Serendipitously, while in grad school, a research project led me to develop a relationship with the owner of SCS, my current employer. I was just about to enter a PhD program when I received a job offer from them. I took the job, and the rest is (recent) history!

 

  

: What is the BEST thing that has happened since you UNLOCKED that door?

Since taking my job at SCS, I have been able to bring my work to a bigger stage. I have traveled the world — to Africa, Thailand and Guatemala — to look at sustainability practices around the world. I feel that I am playing a role in creating a better future for farmers + consumers alike. That means everything to me. Even when my work feels “hard,” I know that what I’m doing really matters.

But the absolute BEST thing that has happened to me since taking that job has nothing to do with my career. It was the birth of my daughter Lola, last September.

  

: What’s the next door you need to unlock? (And what’s the plan?)

The next door I need to unlock is figuring out how to balance work with motherhood.

I love my work — but it involves lots of international travel for long periods of time. Travel used to be a top priority but me, but now, with my new daughter, I don’t want to be away from my family for weeks on end. I need to find a way to balance my life’s work with my life.

Motherhood is still very new to me, so I don’t have the perfect plan just yet. But I feel confident that the right answer will show up when I need it.

  

: Last but not least: What’s your biggest piece of advice for anyone who wants to stay motivated, do amazing work and unlock major doors?

Be curious. Talk to lots of people. Don’t leave any stone unturned. For me, building a career has been all about building relationships with people who share my passions … and following my curiosity.

Serendipitous contacts often lead to unexpected opportunities.

Chart a path — but be open to the many different ways to get there.

 

 

UNLOCK yourself

Three questions to think about, write about — or talk about with a friend.

1. After college, Jane was uncertain about her career path — but while traveling overseas, she saw a specific problem that she wanted to help fix.

: What’s one problem in the world that YOU would like to help fix?

2. A turning point in Jane’s career was when she “mustered up the courage” to ask a local non-profit if she could volunteer. That brave move led to her first full-time job.

: What’s one place that YOU would love to volunteer — even just for one day?

3. As a new mom, Jane is now looking for ways to do a little bit less traveling, and stay closer to home. But for many years, Jane wanted travel to be a central part of her career.

: What’s one thing that ABSOLUTELY needs to be a central part of your career — at least for right now?

 

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For more UNLOCKED interviews, click over here.

Know somebody that ought to be spotlighted? Write to me here.

See you next time for another inspiring conversation!