A Winding Road Worth Taking
Starting the new year, I find myself genuinely inspired by the work I get to do at Mazur & Co., where we help organizations communicate, operate, and advocate with precision and purpose. Collaborating with the team at The DeBruce Foundation has been especially meaningful. Their work continually challenges me to think more deeply about careers, growth, and how people actually build lives around their work.
That lens has naturally pulled me into reflection. When I look back, my own career path has been anything but linear, shaped as much by learning what didn’t fit, as by discovering what eventually did. My journey looks something like this, with plenty of part-time roles and detours along the way:
catering → event management → library work → catering → venue management → back to catering → IT → email marketing systems and SEO
Each transition taught me something: about my strengths, my limits, and the environments where I could (and couldn’t) grow – and collectively, they formed the foundation for the work I do today. Along the way, I learned some extremely valuable lessons – often by discovering what wasn’t for me.
For example, I learned early on that I should not work at a bakery. (Turns out starting work before dawn is incompatible with my circadian rhythm and basic happiness.) During a college summer internship at Big Cedar Lodge, I also learned that working with children under 12 is not my particular calling – an important realization to have before committing to an entire career path. After nearly a decade in events and catering, I also realized that I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life working long hours every weekend, and I couldn’t be happier that my fingerprints have finally grown back.
Each role taught me something, even when the lesson was simply, “Good to know: never again.”
The Jobs That Shaped Me
Some experiences, though, left a lasting imprint.
In high school, I worked as a Firefly (yes, wearing the antennae and a flashing light up…ahem) at our local theme park: Worlds of Fun, where I mastered the art of smiling for four-plus hours straight (yes, face cramps are real), extreme time management dressing performers backstage, and – unexpectedly – how to fold a fitted sheet. I also spent many sweaty days climbing across rooftops and stapling approximately one million lights to trees, learning quickly that teamwork and problem-solving matter when you’re literally hanging off a ladder.
Later, while working in event management, my manager, Tracy, taught me invaluable skills I still use today: how to plan travel efficiently, how to think three steps ahead, and the exact right way to order lunch for 100+ people at an educational conference without putting everyone to sleep before the final speaker.
At the library, I got my first taste of IT work. I’d always been “good with computers,” but suddenly I was helping seniors troubleshoot devices, reset passwords, and navigate technology with confidence. That experience quietly laid the groundwork for the systems-focused work I love today.
Trying Things (and Letting Them Go)
At one point, I even started an illustration business with a friend, where I learned that monetizing hobbies I do purely for joy is… not always a great deal. Some things are better left as creative outlets, and that’s okay!
If I’m honest, what I originally wanted to be when I grew up was a Bed & Breakfast owner. I loved the idea of hospitality, creating experiences, and making people feel welcome. In many ways, I don’t think that instinct ever left – it just evolved.
Mentorship, Agilities, and Growth
As we also celebrate National Mentoring Month, I’m acutely aware that none of this happens without great mentors. From my early managers, to Nicholle at NorthPoint Development, who taught me how to network and project-manage like a pro, to Mindy Mazur, Chanelle Zak, and the entire Mazur & Co team, who consistently encourage growth that benefits both our clients and ourselves –I am deeply grateful.
At The DeBruce Foundation, taking the Agile Work Profiler gave me language to reflect on my career journey in a new way. My Agilities have almost certainly shifted over time, and I’ve learned that not being good at everything is actually ideal. I’ll try almost anything – but staying focused on my skills and interests gives me direction.
Looking Ahead
As I look to the future, my goals are clear: lean further into automations and CRM work, become a subject matter expert, and help others learn about this career path that blends creativity, systems thinking, and problem-solving.
I’m grateful for the winding road, the people who shaped my work ethic, and the teams that make learning the best part of the job. Here’s to growth, good mentors, and many more accidentally matching outfits. Onward into 2026!
Camille Paris
Associate for Digital Engagement
Mazur & Co.
