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Ryan Horn

Interview with Mentor Michelle Taylor, Sr. Account Manager, Spawn

by Leadership Fellows Protégé Ryan Horn

The College of Business and Public Policy's Tom Case Leadership Fellows Program pairs high-performing CBPP students with a mentor in the Anchorage business community, giving students the opportunity to learn about real-world leadership from local business leaders. To begin the program, each student protégé interviewed their new mentor.

Today’s featured protégé/mentor interview is Ryan Horn, and his mentor Michelle Taylor, Sr. Account Manager, Spawn.

1 Where is your mentor from? Why did they decide to pursue a career in Alaska?  
Michelle Taylor Grew up in Bethel, AK till she was 6 years old when she moved to Fairbanks. She then lived in Fairbanks till going to College in St. Louis. After College, she got a job in Minneapolis working for General Mills. She was there for four years till she decided to move back to Alaska. She moved back to Alaska because it’s home for her, she missed her family and was fortunate to find an attractive opportunity working for Spawn.

2 Where did your mentor go to college? What did they study in college? 
Ms. Taylor went to college at Washington University in St. Louis. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing and Organization & Human Resources w/ minor in Spanish.

3 Did Ms. Taylor have anyone she relied on for mentorship/solid career advice? If yes, what is they most important leadership advice they shared with you? 
Ms. Taylor has never had the opportunity for a formal mentor/mentee relationship. However, looking back there were leaders who have made significant impacts on her thoughts and attitudes towards leadership.

One individual, in particular, was one of her leadership at General Mills whom she looked up to and still thinks about on day to day basis when making decisions. This leader imparted the advice that if someone tells you, ‘you did a great job’ or gives you a compliment you say “don’t tell me, tell my boss” because your boss doesn't usually look at your day to day work.

Another leader who had given her really impactful career advice was a previous boss who had a really inspiring quality of being very visible and vocal. They taught her the importance of making sure you are talking about yourself so that your work and accomplishments are known. Always campaign for yourself and your department. If you don't, you could be doing great things and no one will know.

4 It is important and beneficial for CBPP and Anchorage’s business community to collaborate and invest in the next generation of leaders. What does your mentor believe should be conveyed to our next generation of leaders?
Ms. Taylor has noticed a trend of the current generation entering the workforce. Individuals thinking they can start off at the top of the responsibility chain. This is an extremely unreasonable expectation when new to the job environment, industry, or an organization. It's important to first sit back and learn to listen.

There is so much on the job training and experience needed before you reach higher levels of responsibility and pay. Be patient and understand you still need to learn and demonstrate value to establish trust. There is a seemingly common misconception that you are going to have a great job right out the college. You need to accept the reality of starting at the bottom and working your way up.

Also, networking is extremely important. Focus on building bridges as well as not burning any. A relationship today may not become beneficial until five or ten years down the road. In school, there is a fairly simple model of earning the grade then moving on to the next class or grade to progress. The business world is much different. Networking is critical in order to progress and succeed.

Michelle Taylor
Mentor Michelle Taylor.