“You don’t have to forget, but you don’t have to remember either.” – Helen Antholis (my mom). It means that you don’t have to completely wipe your mind of bad memories (business failures, embarrassing moments, deaths) but you don’t have to constantly talk about them or dwell on the situations either. Don’t forget, but don’t remember.
Name: Diana Antholis
Age: 27
Occupation: Strategy Consultant
Where are you from?
The Jersey Shore!! Actually right where the Jersey Shore begins (Middletown).
Did you go to college? Where?
I started where any other respectable New Jersey resident would – Rutgers. Then I woke up and transferred to the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, one of the best decisions I have ever made. My master’s degree is from The George Washington University.
What did you study?
BS in Advertising and Marketing Communications at FIT & MA in Organizational Management at GWU
Where do you work?
Performance Advantage Inc, an independent training and consulting firm focused on helping people work smarter and perform better in the workplace. It was created by my mother many years ago and we are revamping it together.
Why did you pick this career?
I started in fashion marketing and advertising because I loved it, but I moved to management consulting because I realized people need help at work. Many are miserable and unproductive at work. I want to make a difference.
What are your future plans for your career?
My future plans include revamping the business and pursuing a PhD to teach and research Organizational Behavior at university level. I believe we have to start educating and preparing students before they enter the workforce so they know how to manage the working world.
How did you get involved in this career?
I saw that management and leadership needed to be improved and felt passionate to be the change that so many people desperately need.
How did you prepare yourself for this career?
I attended graduate school. It was the right decision for me and I not only learned an incredible amount of information, I grew my network substantially.
And if you just happened to land in this career what made you stay?
I actively pursued this career by leaving my advertising jobs and going back to school. It’s hard when you are in one career path for many years but I knew it wasn’t right for me anymore.
What are the downsides to this profession?
Getting people to adopt what you are saying and teaching. Change is difficult. No one likes it. They often want work to be a better place but are scared to make it happen. It’s my job to ensure people can stand up and make a difference in their lives by working smarter.
What is a typical workday for you?
I read about the industry and new trends. I write blog posts and work on many of our upcoming projects. I craft plans for people and deliver strategy sessions to help them work smarter. I can basically work from anywhere so my schedule is not structured.
How might this job be a stepping stone to other professions?
Consulting can translate to any profession. It’s all about problem-solving and critical thinking. Those are skills that can be used in any profession. The organizational behavior/management field is also being developed within many companies. They are creating separate departments internally to address organizational training.
What is the single-most important piece of advice you can offer a person pursuing this career?
Read and connect. There are so many smart people out there you can learn from. Be open to learning new things and don’t be intimidated by what is already out there.
What steps do you recommend to someone who is planning to pursue this career?
Education and experience. I believe in higher education if it is right for you. Experience for this type of career is very open. As long as you have worked, you can understand how organizations run. The key is understanding how different each company is and what makes things work vs. what doesn’t. You have to be very analytical and strategic.
What professional or community volunteer organizations are you currently a member of?
My goal for this year is to become involved with the Let’s Move campaign against childhood obesity. It is something I am very passionate about. I am also part of many consulting and HR professional groups.
What’s a funny memory from your college or high school days you are legally allowed to share?
When my best friend and I lived together in our apartment dorm room at FIT, we literally pushed all of our pieces of furniture together. Our beds, desks, and dressers were right next to each other. People thought we were insane.
How can we find out more about you?
Google me! I am one of about 15 people with my last name in this country. You can find me easily. Or go here: About.me
Where can we stalk you online?
Personal Twitter: @dianaantholis
Business Twitter: @worksmarta
LinkedIn: Diana Antholis
Business Website/Blog: Performance Advantage Inc
Other Blog: Enter: Adulthood with Facebook Fan Page
{ 3 comments }
Thanks ChaChanna!
You’re welcome! Thank you for sharing your story, soon-to-be Dr. Antholis!
I love Diana – I was able to connect with her on Twitter and she is an inspiration to young professionals across the globe. I am glad she was featured in this section – she more than deserves it!
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