First Job: From Barista to Executive

This summer I connected with some amazing professionals who were willing to share their wisdom. Each profile will feature how their first job out of college led to their amazing careers today (that they love, by the way), as well as their advice to help you do the same.

First Job Profile: Kaycee Kiesz, Diversity & Global Inclusion Manager

1) What was your first job out of college and how did you get it? 

I began working part-time as a Barista at Starbucks while attending College pursuing my CPA. My first role after college was as an Auditor. Auditing our daily Starbucks Store sales. 

2) What was the most important thing you learned from your first job? 

Network. Build mutually-beneficial authentic relationships throughout the organization and with your community. 

3) What did you to leverage your first job to help you get where you are today?

Volunteer. Volunteer to work on as many cross-functional teams and projects as possible. Volunteer with non-profits and give back to your community.

4) What advice do you have for recent graduates who are struggling to find their first job after college? 

Connect. Connect with as many people as possible, in person, in social media - create a LinkedIn profile and follow companies/brands you admire on Twitter. Many companies post positions on these sites and recruit from them. 

---

I want to say a huge thank you to Kaycee for doing this interview. I don't know Kaycee personally, but reached out to her on LinkedIn. Of all of the professionals I reached out to for this, she was the first to respond. It means a lot to us, Kaycee. Thanks!!!

More about Kaycee from her Starbucks Bio:

Kaycee joined Starbucks Retail Operations in 1992. Over her tenure she has been responsible for managing many core partner programs...Kaycee currently manages our Partner Network program which provides a platform for partners to make change, build community, increase engagement and develop professionally.

Kaycee holds two business degrees with emphasis in Business and Accounting, [and] a certificate in Intercultural Competence...Over her 20-year history with Starbucks, Kaycee has organized hundreds of community and partner engagement events; she recently completed a 3-year term on Seafair’s Board of Directors, and is a certified Coffee Master. She enjoys iced decaf americanos on week-days and on weekends indulges in decaf grande non-fat lattes.

Kaycee was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2001. She has embraced this challenge by becoming an advocate for research, friend to others newly diagnosed, a top-fundraiser and spokesperson for the National MS Society. In her spare time, Kaycee enjoys travel, yoga and humanitarian efforts. 

In the past 24 months, she has traveled with the YMCA to Thailand to build a school for children with intellectually disabilities, helped plan a wellness yoga retreat in Bali, and hiked Sugar Loaf Mountain in Brazil.