Jiayi Guo & Yucheng Shu
In DEA 4050: Design Portfolio & Communication, we had the chance to hear from Kelly Guo (DEA’17), Regional Brand Practice Area Lead for Asia Pacific and the Middle East at Gensler. Her talk, Lessons from a Non-Linear Journey, offered fresh perspectives that reshaped how many of us think about our career paths and professional growth.
Shifting How I Approach Job Applications
Kelly started with what she called a “Job Applications Pop Quiz.”
“If you see a job posting on LinkedIn, what’s the first thing you should do?”
My immediate thought was, update my resume. But Kelly’s answer flipped that instinct completely:
“Contact the hiring manager. Find the human behind the job post.”
She emphasized that reaching out first isn’t about networking for its own sake—it’s about building the human connection. Before clicking “apply,” ask questions, learn what the role actually involves, and show genuine curiosity about the team. Taking the time to connect personally shows initiative and authenticity—qualities that stand out in any field.
Thinking About Skills as a Progression
Another part of Kelly’s talk that really stayed with us was how she framed career growth as a story—something we move through in stages, rather than a checklist of skills.
- Main Quest: Core Competency. As you grow, identify what you’re genuinely good at—and double down on it. In her words, “find where your strengths are, then really hone them.”
- Character Development Arc: Communication & Agility. Being able to explain ideas clearly and adapt quickly. It’s about finding your rhythm in fast-paced, collaborative environments.
- Ultimate Evolution: Leadership and Emotional Intelligence. Later, what sets you apart isn’t technical ability but empathy: understanding people, guiding relationships, and being grounded in self-awareness.
It was refreshing to hear someone in such a senior position talk about leadership not as authority, but as emotional maturity.
Selecting a Career Path Based on Goals and Non-Negotiables
Kelly also encouraged us to ask ourselves a simple but surprisingly difficult question:
What are your top three goals?
She listed a few possibilities—cool projects, mentorship, team culture, inspiring leadership, or money—and asked which ones truly matter to us, and at what stage. It made me realize how often students (myself included) treat “dream jobs” as universal, when in reality, the best opportunity depends on what we value most right now.
Accepting Changes as We Grow
A line from Kelly that resonated with me was:
“A career is not always linear. Keep your eyes open to opportunity, even if it is “unconventional.” Enjoy the twists and turns. That’s life.”
Your “dream job” might change, or you might still be searching for one—and that’s perfectly okay! Our interests and passions evolve as we gain experience and learn more about ourselves. Staying flexible allows us to see new directions we might not have considered before and uncover opportunities we wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Keeping an Open Mind to Global Opportunities
Kelly’s journey across North America and Asia Pacific reminded us that careers can take us to places we never expected.
Whether through study, work, or collaboration, international experiences broaden our perspectives and help us adapt more easily to change. Personal and professional growth have no geographic boundaries—and sometimes, we just have to say “yes” to opportunities that feel a little unknown.
From building connections to reflecting on our goals and embracing new opportunities, Kelly’s story reminded us that a meaningful career isn’t always about following a straight path, but about staying open to the journey and the growth it brings.