Member Spotlight: Rosemary Hook

Each month AWC Austin will highlight one very special member making a difference in the communications industry right here in Austin, Texas. This month, we feature Rosemary Hook, Certified Career Coach for St. Edward’s University. Rosemary is truly a gem. She looks at people for who they are, with a genuine, caring guidance that can only be described as an innate gift. She leads people through some of the most important and difficult life transitions.   She also has some wonderful and insightful things to say about finding the right career fit and how to stay on top of your game! If you see her at an upcoming AWC event be sure to introduce yourself.

By Samantha Furry

July Member Spotlight: Rosemary Hook

AWC AUSTIN:  What originally prompted you to join AWC Austin?
RH:  AWC approached me about helping with resume critiques for members, so it was a no brainer for me!  I did critiquing for about two years and my name started circulating throughout the group.  Then I moved on and started co-hosting Careers over Coffee (North), an event held once a month for members only who live in the north part of Austin.  I liked the fact that I could contribute on the career side of the organization to establish deeper connections and I also liked that I spoke to the marketing side of the organization , which is something I connected with from my undergrad education.

AWC AUSTIN:  How long have you been a member?
RH:  Since 2007.

AWC AUSTIN:  And what makes you return each year?
RH:  There is a lot!  I love the camaraderie and the programming – it is so strong. To me, strong programming comes from two things; content and consistency.  AWC has got it.  It really is amazing the teamwork that goes into keeping this association as strong as it is.

AWC AUSTIN:  How did you find your way to career coaching?
RH:  My undergraduate degree was in marketing and shamefully, I never did an internship. It was almost impossible to penetrate the field coming out of college, which is the only reason I moved on to HR!  I had the people skills and in the HR field, I could be a little bit fun and a little bit serious.  But, I discovered HR still wasn’t enough for me and didn’t allow me to use my skills to connect people.  That’s really what I like best. It’s the reason I ended up leaving HR and started focusing on marketing research.

I didn’t start diving into marketing until I was out of school for about 15 years.  I made all of these “career changes” where I stair-stepped along the way.  I had some experiences in marketing and thought it was okay, but realized that selling products and services wasn’t my gig; selling people was.  I asked myself, “Where I can connect people, counsel, and be a public speaker?” This is where I transitioned to career services.

In this field I’ve learned that no career services professional can possibly know every position that exists.  That is something each individual person must find.  It was something I uncovered on my own and led me to ask, “Does the world conspire to help you find your next thing?”  I think so.

AWC AUSTIN:  What’s your favorite thing about your job?
RH:  Connecting people; whether it’s people with people or people with information.

AWC AUSTIN:  You work with mid-level career professionals and professionals seeking a change of scenery, or different field all together.  How does your advising and guidance differ from that of a recent grad?
RH:  It’s really the level of the person.  I’m a huge advocate of education; the winning combination is education plus experience.  I come from the perspective of, “Where are you starting, experience wise?”  There are certain fields in which education is non-negotiable but typically speaking, experience leads to success.  Education can be a wonderful launch pad.  I advise everyone based on experience and availability.

AWC AUSTIN:  How relevant is a social media for a job seeker?
RH:  Typically for communication-related careers, it’s critical.  I speak with people regularly who say they don’t “do Facebook” or “do Twitter” – I advise them to at least consider LinkedIn!  In Austin, using technology is not an option.  I say reach people – forget the how; it’s the why.  Reach them and excite them.  Isn’t that the goal?

AWC AUSTIN:  Right now Austin is a hot city for recent grads and for people looking to make a change.  How is the Austin job market unique, and what do people need to know about it?
RH:  The Austin job market is unique in that you’re going to penetrate your next job in one of two ways; One, you’re either exactly what employers are looking for or two, someone you know is going to make a great connection for you.  The rest of the world might be six degrees of separation; in Austin, we’re two.

The thing about Austin is that this city isn’t just high-tech, complete with a ton of universities. We’re also a very giving community with lots of nonprofits, a great arts and culture scene and we have multiple strong sectors. People come here and say, “How did I not know about this candy store?”

AWC AUSTIN: What is one career tip you can give readers?
RH: No one likes the word “networking” anymore, but really it’s all about building relationships. You’ve got to stay connected to associations that bring together other professionals similar to yourself. Austin is such a giving community and it’s important to give your time, talent, and treasure to a professional association.  Become a mentor and seek out a mentor.  There should never be a time in your life when you don’t have a mentor.  More than one mentor is ideal because one person can’t do it all.

AWC AUSTIN: That’s great advice! As an AWC member you can apply to become a mentor for a young woman in Austin, or find a mentor for yourself. We’re always looking for more people to join our mentor program.

AWC AUSTIN:  Rosemary, tell me about your zeal for learning and how it impacts your own career and your life.
RH:  My energy comes from learning.  Part of being successful as career management professional is that you’ve got to want to learn.  I don’t cover only a certain major, or career, I have to know a little bit about everything.  I have to know enough about all the major sectors, industries, and vertical markets for my clients.  I re-energize through learning and learning keeps me on top of my game.

AWC AUSTIN:  What is it like being married to an entomologist?
RH:  For me it’s wonderful. He’s selectively social.  I know his friends by what they study.  for example the “bee guy” or the “leaf woman.”  But, I’ve pulled him into my world.  He’s a great networker because he loves to share knowledge – that’s the best kind of networker.  I’ve taken him to business functions where he’s run into old students and they’re in awe of him.  He complains about it, but he secretly loves it!

AWC AUSTIN:  What up and coming Austin event are you most looking forward to?
RH:  Product Camp!  I like Product Camp because it’s basically one-of-a-kind dealing specifically with marketing and product marketing. Topics are relevant across the industry; marketing, social media, communications, and so on plus, we’ve had a number of our own AWC folks who have been guest presenters!