My Real Chemistry Journey: Lifting as We Climb
Four years ago, I interviewed for a temporary position at W2O, now Real Chemistry. As a financial analyst at a litigation support company, I didn’t have any experience in health care or at an agency. However, there was an opportunity to become a full-time employee and hold a senior level position within two years. Frankly, that was all I needed to hear.
My first few months at Real Chemistry were easily some of the toughest in my nine years of working in finance. As a high-growth company that didn’t yet have a lot of process or infrastructure in place, training guides were, at best, PowerPoint decks summarizing the day to day, and at worst, notes compiled over time in a Word document (still thankful for both!). While I had colleagues who were willing to teach what they knew, their time was limited. Each day felt like I was in survival mode.
This rocky start likely sounds familiar to employees at any company, particularly one that has grown and evolved nonstop like Real Chemistry. That’s because it might be your story too. You might remember the struggle and the one question that kept repeating in your head: “Why am I still here…? No, seriously, why AM I still here?” You might have reached the same conclusion I did: there are always going to be some obstacles no matter where you land. For me, it was time to stop seeing obstacles as problems and view them as opportunities for change.
I began evaluating certain policies and practices in place and looking for ways to improve the finance team’s work. I reached out to leaders on the team and successfully pitched the creation of a new audit department. It's a great example of how at Real Chemistry leaders really listen to people and support ideas no matter where they come from across the organization.
Two years into my time at Real Chemistry, I became a founding member of the company’s newly formed audit department. As an auditor, I helped establish guidelines and create system and procedural efficiencies. That position also offered me a chance to do something I felt obligated to do – to be both a guide and an advocate for new (and current) employees. My team made it a point to host two training sessions each week, covering the technical aspects of the job and the importance of setting professional boundaries. I also made time to meet privately with teammates to give them additional technical and professional guidance. It was important to me to make sure that new colleagues had the comprehensive training they need to do their job.
After two years as an auditor, I was offered the opportunity to become the finance manager for one of Real Chemistry’s businesses. No other place I have worked has offered the amount of growth and opportunities as Real Chemistry. It’s important to note that I would not have reached these career milestones if I hadn’t been connected so closely to our company’s leaders along our long hallway. It’s easy to assume that, if a person has a certain title, they will be too busy to listen to the points of view of someone who has been with the company for only a few months. That mentality only guarantees that whatever change you’d like to see, won’t happen. Instead, I would encourage everyone to collaborate with senior leaders and bring your ideas, suggestions and points of view to their attention. You might have seen something that they did not, and that something could make a huge impact on improving the company – and boosting your own career. When it does, don’t forget to lift those around you as you climb.
