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Inspiring professional advice I learned from Kristen Sanchez

Hunter Holstein
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April 11, 2024

My name is Hunter Holstein, and I am a designer at Orange Umbrella Miami. During our class this week, I had the pleasure of listening to OU’s fabulous guest speaker, Kristen Sanchez. Kristen has worked for 10 years in the TV industry. Currently a morning news and traffic reporter and anchor at NBC6, she lends her talents as an emcee for various charity events.  

With her fashionable pink suit and confident demeanor, Kristen had a commanding presence of the room that was truly inspiring to be around. I was immediately eager to absorb what professional advice she had to share with us. Here are three crucial tips I gathered from Kristen Sanchez.  

Rejection is redirection.

Networking is a great way to gain job opportunities, creative ideas, valuable relationships, and a boost in overall career development. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come naturally for everybody., The fear of rejection can be downright terrifying for some people. It is important to remember that the worst thing you can hear from someone is “no.” In a more extreme example of this scenario, Kristen recalled getting fired as a weekend reporter after accidentally breaking a camera. However, she persevered, maintaining full-confidence and diligence in herself, which ultimately led to securing a full-time reporting position a few months later. Rather than viewing rejection as a setback, Kristen advocates viewing it as fuel for personal and professional growth. "Prove to yourself and others what you are capable of," she said.

Say ‘Yes’ to intimidating opportunities.

It is imperative for career development that you stay open to new opportunities, even if they seem daunting. If somebody on your work team needs to get something done, why can’t it be you? Saying ‘yes’ to new project opportunities pushes your boundaries and helps you grow. It also shows your employers and peers that you are willing to take the initiative. Kristen recalled getting her first job at NBC Sports and another job as an ABC affiliate. Despite not knowing much about sports and packing on an extremely busy schedule, Kristen took on both jobs at the same time.  This allowed her to continue networking and gain as much industry experience as possible.  

Embrace the evolution of your personal brand.

Kristen's career journey highlights the importance of transparency and adaptability in personal branding. As a mother of three, she seamlessly integrates her professional and personal life, earning admiration from viewers for her dedication. Moreover, Kristen's willingness to embrace emerging platforms like social media further underscores her adaptability and innovation. Kristen said she never expected to receive as much positive feedback regarding her transparency as she did but is very proud of the community she has created. Kristen has crafted a personal brand that resonates with her audience by embracing her identity as a mother, her passion for fashion, and her social media influence. Her story underscores the value of authenticity and innovation in navigating the evolving landscape of modern careers. By welcoming unforeseen changes to our identities and remaining true to ourselves, we can not only navigate the complexities of modern professional life, but also thrive in the process.

Kristen Sanchez's insights regarding networking, confidence, and embracing changes to your personal brand shed invaluable light on navigating the cutthroat professional world with self-assurance and resilience. As we embark on our individual career journeys, let's draw inspiration from Kristen's experiences and view each obstacle as a chance for personal growth and discovery.  

Kristen Sanchez’s website: https://www.kristinsanchez.tv/