Guy Occhiogrosso, President/CEO, handed the reigns of this month’s blog over to Schantell. We hope you find insight in her words and interest in the perspective.

My name is Schantell Hummel, and I was hired in August 2021 as the Chamber’s program and event coordinator. I am responsible for planning, supporting and executing our programs and events, including the monthly networking breakfasts, the annual awards dinner, the Fourth of July celebration and Top 7 under 40.

I graduated from Western Washington University in June 2021 with a degree in business management and entrepreneurship. I was the WWU Collegiate DECA president for three years and worked for the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program for two years in multiple roles. My last year and a half of school was fully virtual. I had hoped to get an internship to set myself up well for graduation, but that was unable to happen due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can read more about my background here. Below, you’ll find out how I got the job here and the Chamber — and what you can do to improve your job-hunting chances if you’re in the market.

I started searching for a job three or four months before graduation, attending virtual career fairs, updating my LinkedIn profile and polishing my resume. With my experience and major, I’d always thought that I would have little trouble landing a job.

My mindset changed during the pandemic.

After many scrolls through online job boards, I realized not many positions aligned with my values and passions. I was greatly underqualified for most positions, given the amount of experience employers were seeking in my desired industry, and I had no idea what to expect moving forward.

My mind went to the worst possible scenarios: What if I can’t find a job and need more financial support from my parents? What if I can’t afford rent? Do I have enough savings to live for the next couple of months without working?

As a young professional, I was searching for a company or organization that is flexible, adaptable and local. My goal after graduating from Western was to stay in Bellingham. I also had become accustomed to working from home full time, so I needed some flexibility to be able to do that. Lastly, I wanted to be able to build a career at a company that aligns with my values.

Every quarter during my search, there were a dozen or more students graduating from WWU with the same degree I had. How could I make myself stand out?

One way I did that was through extracurricular activities. I gained a great deal of experience from DECA, for example, that helped prove to potential employers that I was worth taking a gamble on.

Another way to stand out, I learned, was to make connections, seek career mentors, and volunteer in areas related to my desired field. Every connection I made was someone who could help me find the career I wanted.

I’m forever grateful to the connections and mentors I made while in school. Without them, I would not be in the place I am today. One of the biggest lessons I learned from my first job search experience is that you never know how the connections you make will impact your future.

I now work as the program and events coordinator for the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce. I’m passionate about the work I do. I get to meet new people every day, and I get to work right in downtown Bellingham.

There are many paths to a great career. What’s important to remember is that you don’t need to try to do it alone. Reach out to mentors. Attend networking events. Complete internships. Contact a local workforce development organization.

Workforce development groups, in fact, employ people whose only job is to help you find one. Take advantage of that! Here in Washington state, many opportunities are available for youth hoping to find an entrance to their desired careers. Here are a few local ones:

• The Northwest Workforce Council oversees WorkSource workforce development efforts in Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties. The main aim of the Council is to improve the ability of the local workforce to meet the demands of business and industry, providing business services and investing resources in targeted industries. It also provides funding for workers to enroll in occupational or technical education programs.
• Many industries offer workforce development plans specific to their fields. The Building Industry Association of Washington, for example, has its Workforce Development Task Force, and the Area Health Education Center at Whatcom Community College participates in the Washington Health Workforce Gateway to aid workforce recruitment and retention efforts in local health care. For help finding workforce development efforts specific to your industry, reach out to us here at the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce.
• Whatcom Young Professionals connects and develops young, career-focused individuals here in Whatcom County. WYP offers valuable networking through social events and community involvement opportunities that inspire personal and professional growth.
• Through its Youth Engagement Initiative, Whatcom Business Alliance launched its YES Whatcom program in 2018 to help connect youth and other emerging workers with career options, hands-on learning experiences, paid internships and apprenticeship programs available at Whatcom organizations.

Whether you’ve just graduated from college or you’re still in high school, navigating the workforce can be stressful. Reach out to someone around you who can help! And if you’re stuck, feel free to give me a call here at the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce.

 

-Schantell Hummel, Program and Event Coordinator
Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce

Photo by River Porter.