Career Confidential: Christina Tanzola

All of my friends have awesome Alamo pictures. Check out Katie Amey’s too.

As I was putting this post up, I got a little bit emotional. I love reading all the Career Confidentials, but I especially love reading the ones from my friends. These are topics we don’t always spend a lot of time talking about, so I always find their answers to be so interesting and insightful. More than anything else, I feel lucky that all these wonderful ladies that I call my friends take the time to contribute to my blog. Now, that I have been doing this for a few months, I know that none of this would be possible without them. They add so much insight, perspective, and passion; I promise if it weren’t for them, it would just be a string of posts about my love for Harry Styles and my hatred of guys in vests.

With that being said, this week’s Career Confidential, Christina Tanzola, has been one of my best friends for a very long time. There is really no other way to describe her than: she is the life of the party.

Full name: Christina Tanzola

Position/Job Title: Scholarship Program Coordinator

1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Veterinarian, fashion designer, wedding planner, actress or tattoo artist. To me anything and everything was possible.

2. Fast-forward several years/decades. How did you land (or create) your current position?

I was working towards my BA in Psychology and working full time in retail. I became good friends with one of my co-workers; she eventually became a Coordinator with a non-profit organization working with health and human services. She let me know that a position was opening in which I might be interested. I did my research of the organization, interviewed for the position, and was offered what would now be my first job out of college.

3. Tell us what a typical work day looks like for you. What is your job REALLY like, both the glamorous and not-so-glamorous parts?

I usually start my day by answering emails and phone calls.  The main goal is to make sure my clients’ applications are complete and correct so that I am able to provide their scholarship funds. Some days it can be overwhelming. I have to interact with many different people and since I am working with a very special demographic, everything needs to be treated carefully. The great part is that everyday is another experience to learn about the specialized culture of my clientele and the role the non-profit organization plays in their lives, which has really expanded my view of the world.

4. What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to other career-minded women?

Be open-minded to change. It took me a long time to really get comfortable with my role and have a routine for myself. That doesn’t stop rules from changing or new guidelines from coming into place that I need to incorporate. What you have to make peace with is that change is always coming and you have to roll with the punches. Trust me, change is hard and you may feel like won’t be able to handle it but you will. Eventually change becomes routine and you’ll be alright.

5. Let’s talk about work/life balance. What does that mean to you? Is it important?

Balance is such a pivotal part of surviving and being happy. I’m a huge advocate of balancing what you need to do and what you want to do.  We all have deadlines that need to be met, emails that need to be sent and events that need to be attended. You need to be a reliable, honest and hardworking person because that is what you are giving out to the world. Your work ethic and your accomplishments are what follows you for the rest of your career life. All of the hard work you are completing can take its toll, so you need to also celebrate your fierce working self and do things you want to do. Take the time (without the guilt) to go to Zumba class or have a night of DVR catch-up because you deserve it.

6. On that note, do you think women can have it all? Both the baller career, and the happy family?

I think it depends on what each individual woman wants to have in her life. It is important to be honest with yourself about what sacrifices might need to be made. For example, for some women “having it all” means going to work, spending ample amounts of time with their children and husband or wife and being able to cook perfectly healthy meals every night. For me, “having it all” is having a job that allows me to live comfortably, spend time with my family, and enjoy nightlife. Obviously, not every career is going to allow you to go out every night or be able to spend eight hours a day playing with your kids. It’s definitely crucial to understand that balance is key and to have a talk with yourself to find out how you can incorporate all the fixtures you want to have in your life. You want the voiceover for your biopic to really be able to say, “She had it all…” whatever your “all” may be.

7. What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received – career-related or otherwise?

One of my favorite pieces of advice that I have ever received was “Don’t make empty promises.” It really applies not only to what is expected of you at work, but what you should remember in all other aspects of your life. As women, we can sometimes spread ourselves too thin because we think that if we say no to anything then we’re not doing enough. What tends to happen  is we realize that we don’t have enough time in the day, enough money, or enough energy to pull everything off. Thus, we end up having to postpone or cancel on something we originally said we could do.  It’s taken me a while (and I’ll admit it is a struggle sometimes) but I remember that if I say I will do something, I will do it. If it’s something I can’t do or an event or outing I am unable to attend, I will say so. In the end, your colleagues and others in your life will appreciate and trust your honesty and your word.