Navigating a Dynamic Career with SOAR: A Reflection on My Work Experience

In today’s ever-evolving job market, the ability to adapt quickly and acquire new skills is not just beneficial, but rather crucial for achieving long-term success and sustainability in one’s career. The landscape of work is constantly changing, influenced by technological advancements, shifting economic conditions, and the evolving needs of consumers and businesses. As a result, professionals must be prepared to pivot and embrace change, continually updating their skill sets to remain relevant and competitive.

I am a curious person by nature and proactive when it comes to problem-solving. Bringing this approach to my work life has led me to step out of my comfort zone and tackle obstacles head-on while fostering a mindset that values creative problem-solving. Each challenge served as an opportunity for growth, allowing me to expand my knowledge base and refine my abilities in many disciplines.

To effectively illustrate my journey and the pivotal experiences that have shaped my professional development, I utilize the SOAR framework—Situation, Obstacle, Action, and Result. This structured approach not only helps in organizing my thoughts but also provides a clear narrative that highlights my capacity to learn, adapt, and contribute meaningfully to organizations.

In the Situation phase, I outline the context in which I found myself, detailing the specific environment and circumstances that necessitated a response. In the Obstacle section, I identify the challenges that arose within that situation. This sets the stage for demonstrating my problem-solving capabilities in the Action component. The Action phase offers the specific steps I took to address the challenges at hand.

Finally, in the Result segment, I highlight the outcomes of my actions. This could involve quantifiable achievements, such as meeting or exceeding project goals, improving team morale, or enhancing operational efficiency. By showcasing these results, I not only demonstrate the impact of my contributions but also reinforce my ability to drive positive change within an organization.

The Art of Adaptation: From Singing Waiter to Journalist

Situation: My first job out of college was as a singing waiter on the Portland Spirit, a ship that sailed up and down the Willamette River. At the same time, I was developing my skills as a writer, crafting cultural pieces for alternative weeklies. My first major journalistic opportunity came when I was assigned an interview with Boy George—my first-ever celebrity interview.

Obstacle: With no prior experience in celebrity interviews, I needed to quickly develop my research and interviewing skills to conduct a compelling and professional interview.

Action: I immersed myself in background research, studying Boy George’s career, previous interviews, and relevant cultural topics. I read his autobiography and listened to his music he recorded as a solo artist after Culture Club broke up. I also practiced interview techniques, preparing structured yet flexible questions, that I sometimes vetted informally through my friends. 

Result: The interview was a success, strengthening my credibility as a journalist and leading to additional writing opportunities. This experience reinforced my ability to adapt quickly and engage effectively with high-profile individuals.

Cultural Immersion and Skill Building in Prague

Situation: Living in Prague required me to acquire multiple new skills to sustain my career and livelihood. I worked as a bartender, taught English, and even had a starring role in a Czech television commercial.

Obstacle: Language barriers and cultural differences presented challenges in communication and professional interactions. Additionally, teaching English required me to modify my approach to non-native speakers.

Action: I learned rudimentary Czech to facilitate day-to-day interactions and adapted my teaching style to simplify English for students. I also trained in bartending to meet job requirements in a fast-paced environment.

Result: I successfully navigated multiple job roles, expanding my cultural awareness and enhancing my ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences. My experience in Prague deepened my adaptability and problem-solving skills.

Mastering Digital Marketing and Video Production in New York City

Situation: After moving to New York, I landed a job in publishing as a publicist and quickly moved to the digital marketing team associated with running the company website. I took on the responsibility of managing the nascent email marketing program despite having limited experience. I was also asked to assist in writing and producing a video series on ten essential Penguin Classics for the 75th anniversary of Penguin books.

Obstacle: Email marketing was still in its developmental stage, and I had no prior experience with Final Cut Pro or video production best practices.

Action: I proactively learned everything I could about email marketing strategies, testing and optimizing campaigns for better engagement. I studied the capabilities of Final Cut Pro and video editing techniques, collaborating with experienced professionals. I wasn’t afraid to dive in and make mistakes.

Result: The video series won a company award and generated increased interest in these classic books, especially among our academic audience. We could track clicks from our B2C and B2B email campaigns where I'd featured this content. I became proficient in digital marketing and video production and steered our email program to tremendous success. These experiences underscored my ability to acquire new technical skills and drive successful creative projects.

Leadership in SMS Marketing and Compliance in Healthcare

Situation: At Blue Cross of Idaho, I was asked to lead the SMS marketing efforts for a product launch. Later, at Premera, I had to ensure compliance with Medicare Advantage regulations.

Obstacle: I had no prior experience with SMS marketing or Medicare compliance, both of which required in-depth knowledge of regulations and industry best practices.

Action: I quickly familiarized myself with SMS marketing platforms, studying regulations to ensure legal and ethical communication. At Premera, I engaged in compliance training and collaborated with legal and compliance teams to navigate Medicare guidelines effectively.

Result: The SMS marketing launch was successful, increasing engagement and customer retention. At Premera, my rapid adaptation ensured regulatory compliance, solidifying my expertise in healthcare marketing.

A Life and Career Defined by Learning and Adaptation

My career trajectory demonstrates an unwavering commitment to learning, adaptability, and problem-solving. Whether in journalism, marketing, education, or video production, I have consistently embraced new challenges and turned them into opportunities for professional and personal growth.