Kristin G. on LinkedIn: #deanslist #purdueglobal #academicexcellence (2024)

Jonathan Schaefer is #hiring. Know anyone who might be interested?

🌟 VMware: The Catalyst of My Transformation and Ambition 🌟Over a year ago, I had the incredible opportunity to be nominated for VMware's Aspiring Managers Program. This journey profoundly changed my life and made me feel truly seen and valued. This experience taught me leadership skills and a deeper understanding of creating a richer, delightful colleague experience.The concept of a "delightful experience" resonates deeply with me. It's about surpassing expectations and evoking positive emotions—whether from a meal, a walk in the park, or an interaction with technology. VMware taught me that delight in IT isn't just possible but essential. When IT professionals care, listen, and understand needs, they can translate those into solutions that meet and exceed expectations, making every interaction feel personal and impactful.This philosophy inspired me to finish my degree and made me feel like the world was my oyster. It instilled in me a belief that with kindness and empathy, both at work and at home, we can create environments where everyone feels valued and supported.I believe technology should not just be a means to an end but a positive and enriching part of our lives. Imagine an IT team that not only fixes problems but also enables people to work better, understands how they work, and proactively offers solutions to enhance their productivity. This is the delightful experience we aim to provide at VMware.Creating a delightful colleague experience is about making constant, incremental improvements, such as simplifying sign-on processes or enabling secure access to resources from anywhere. It’s about transforming routine interactions, like printing or meeting setups, into seamless and stress-free experiences. It's about ensuring that every interaction with technology is positive, supportive, and delightful.I am passionate about bringing this ethos to a role where I can lead by example, whether as an IT manager, solutions engineer, customer success manager, or in another capacity where I can foster a culture of empathy, kindness, and exceptional service. Here’s a great blog about creating delightful colleague experiences that dives deeper into this philosophy.Thank you, VMware, for empowering me and showing me the power of a delightful experience. Let’s continue to make the workplace a place of positivity and possibility! 🚀https://lnkd.in/g88CpNyx#Leadership #ITManagement #DelightfulExperience #EmpathyInTech #VMware #CareerGrowth #AspiringManager

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🌟 Advocacy in Action: Restoring Faith in Humanity 🌟As I wandered past someone's office today, I unexpectedly stumbled upon a heartwarming scene that left me reflecting on the innate goodness within humanity.Caught in a moment of candid conversation, they passionately advocated for a raise on behalf of one of their contractors to a contract company. What struck me most was the sincerity and fervor with which they spoke despite the contractor not having requested such an increase.It was a profound reminder of the power of advocacy and the unwavering commitment to fairness and appreciation. Witnessing someone championing another's cause purely out of a belief in their worth is a testament to the empathy and compassion that still thrive in our world.In a time when self-interest often dominates, it's uplifting to witness acts of kindness and generosity that transcend personal gain. Witnessing these acts reaffirms my belief in people's inherent goodness and restores my faith in humanity.Let's take inspiration from such instances to amplify the voices of those around us and advocate for fairness and recognition wherever we can. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positivity that enriches our workplaces, communities, and beyond.#Advocacy #Fairness #Humanity #Kindness #Empathy #Recognition #PositiveChange

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🚀 Excited to embark on my next professional adventure! As I explore new opportunities in Solution Engineering or Customer Success Management, I reflect on a transformative year where I prioritized action and personal growth.I fantasized that if I won the lottery, I'd finally complete my bachelor's degree and treat myself to a convertible. While the lottery win remained elusive, I didn't let that stop me. I took charge of my goals, making them a reality through dedication and determination.Now, armed with a freshly earned degree and a newfound sense of empowerment, I'm ready to channel that same drive into driving success for your team. Let's connect and explore how my skills and enthusiasm can contribute to your organization's growth journey! #NewBeginnings #CareerGrowth #OpenToWork

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I’m happy to share that I’ve obtained a new certification: Dean's List from Purdue Global!

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🎓 After many years in the making, I'm thrilled to announce that I've completed my bachelor’s degree at Purdue Global! 🎉Embarking on this journey to pursue a bachelor's degree after 25years has been both daunting and exhilarating. It's been a reminder of time'spassage, dreams deferred, and opportunities missed. Yet, amiduncertainty and trepidation, there's been a steadfast determination to defy theodds and reclaim what was once thought lost.Returning to academia later in life was not without its doubtsand insecurities. However, with the acquisition of VMware and the certainty oflosing my job, I knew I needed to get ahead and overcome any obstacleshindering my professional growth.Amidst the fear, there was a flicker of courage—a courage bornfrom the realization that it's never too late to pursue one's passions torewrite the narrative of one's life. It's a courage forged in the fires ofadversity, fueled by a desire to break free from the confines of comfort andcomplacency.Each step forward has been a triumph over self-doubt, societalexpectations, and the limitations imposed by age. It's been a testament toresilience, to the indomitable human spirit that refuses to be confined byarbitrary timelines or preconceived notions of success.As the journey unfolded, each milestone reached has been avictory—a victory over fear, doubt, and the voices that whisper, "Youcan't." It's a reminder that the most significant achievements often arisefrom the ashes of our deepest fears and that true growth lies in embracing theunknown and stepping boldly into the future.Thank you to David Quiroz for your unending support, Chris Shriner, PMP, for being an exceptional mentor and friend, Chris Spina for supporting me, Karen Heinrich for never shaming me instead lifting me, and Kate Leonard because everything is better with you on my team. And a huge thank you to my academic advisor, Sasha Nickels!Here's to all those who dare to dream, who refuse to let feardictate their destiny. Here's to the courage to pursue a bachelor's degreeafter 25 years and to the countless triumphs that await on the road ahead. 🌟 #PurdueGlobal #BachelorsDegree #NeverTooLate #DreamBig #OpenToWork

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Such an amazing day! Loved collaborating with Kate Leonard, Shannon (O'Boyle) Maxwell and Ryan Harris to plan the event! Despite VMware Explore being this week we were able to get a really amazing turnout to our Service Learning day at the Humane Society. Fun was had by all! #vmwarefoundation #vmwarelife

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I’m happy to share that I’ve obtained a new certification: VMware Certified Professional - VMware Cloud 2023 from VMware!

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I’m excited to share that I’ve completedVMware's Aspiring Managers Program.The Aspiring Manager Program (AMP) is a selective, nomination-based program, designed for individual contributors whose move to a people manager role is imminent. Over the last 2 months, this cohort-based learning experience further developed my foundational people management mindsets, skillsets, and behaviors.Thank you toJuan Castanedafor nominating me for this program,VMwarefor continuing to invest in my professional development and the 31 other "Aspiring Managers" who made this program, not just educational, but engaging and enjoyable as well!

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