Full name?:
Maren Murphy
Position / Job title?:
Parks & Recreation Planner, Blogger at Bureaucrachic
1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I love animals, so I wanted to be a veterinarian when I was younger. That was until I learned that vets have to take care of sick animals—sometimes very sick. My heart couldn’t take it.
2. Fast-forward several years/decades. How did you land (or create) your current position?
I took a Geography 101 course my freshman year of college and decided that I really loved learning about people, places, and the environment. Upon graduation, I realized that a Geography major wasn’t going to get me far in the work place, so I started researching other career paths and came across urban planning. I applied to graduate school at Portland State University, where I began to explore the relationship between people and nature in urban areas. After graduating and working a number of internships with no real permanent job prospects in Portland (the land where people go to retire), I decided to look elsewhere for jobs. I found the perfect job in Montana as the Parks Planner for Montana State Parks and decided on a whim to apply—literally an hour before the position closed. With a bit of luck and lots of hard work, I got the job! My husband and I moved from Portland to the capital city of Helena in 2011. I feel so fortunate to have my job, and truly believe that I am getting amazing experience that I would not have gotten if I still lived in Portland.
3. Did you have to take on internships to get there?
How important in general, do you think, are internships? YES! I did a countless number of internships in college and graduate school, both paid and unpaid when I could afford it. I strongly believe that internships were integral to getting my current position. Upon graduation, I was able to put on my resume that I had over 3 years of related job experience, which I believe put me ahead of others who did not do internships. Just make sure that internships are for your learning benefit, and that you don’t get taken advantage of. The last internship I had before I got my current job was not really an internship, but an underpaid office assistant disguised as an internship. Not beneficial, and frankly, against labor laws.
4. What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to other career-minded women?
Never underestimate the power of a good first impression. A hard work ethic will always speak louder, but couple that with confidence and a professional appearance (especially when as a young professional), and people are quickly impressed. That doesn’t mean you have to wear fancy clothes, but looking put together on a daily basis goes a long way. I know I am not what people expect when I go to a meeting, and I take full advantage of that while I can. Also, I’ve found that public speaking and strong writing skills can take you far as well.
5. Let’s talk about work/life balance. What does that mean to you? Is it important?
Work/life balance is delicate. While I occasionally put work over other things (like when I’m on a deadline), I believe it’s important to put things away and leave work behind when its quitting time. Tomorrow is another day. I don’t give out my personal cell phone number, don’t check my emails when I am home. But when I am at work, I give it as much as I can from 8am to 5pm. Living in Montana, I also really enjoy the juxtaposition between working a normal office job and then going backpacking in the wilderness on the weekend. To me, that’s a good work/life balance.
6. Do you have any career role models? Who are they?
I haven’t met anyone personally that is my career role model, but I admire the director of the New York City Department of City Planning, Ms. Amanda Burden. As many high-powered people in New York, Amanda comes from a wealthy background as an oil heir. Instead of being another socialite, Amanda embarked on a career in architecture and urban planning, and got a Masters of Urban Planning from Columbia. I’m sure she had good connections to get to the top of the planning world in New York, but she also had the credentials and the work experience, and frankly I firmly believe that speaks louder than her last name. She has helped revitalize many parts of New York, and has led a very influential career.
7. What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received – career-related or otherwise?
Trust your gut. As women, we often second-guess our expertise. But it’s important to trust what you know, who you are, your hard work ethic, and what you can bring to the table.
8. If you married a millionaire husband and didn’t have to work, would you? (Be honest.)
I do believe I would still work, but most likely not in my current field. I would probably focus on my other passion: fashion. I don’t see myself as a fashion designer, but if I didn’t have to work to live, I could see myself becoming more immersed in the fashion industry.
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