Hello everyone! I could really use some career advice from this community. I’m a 25-year-old woman who has worked at the same company since graduating high school. My experience includes 3 months in warehouse operations, 5 years in sales administration, and currently 2 years as a municipal sales specialist in the pipe, valve, and fittings sector. I work about 45-50 hours weekly.
I completed my supply chain management degree from a public university on the East Coast after 6 years while working full-time, resulting in around 23k in student debt. Balancing work and school meant I couldn’t join many clubs or develop a strong network, which feels limiting now.
I’ve been applying to leadership development programs like the J&J GOLD program but haven’t had much luck. I’m looking for ways to advance my career but not sure about the best approach. My strengths include problem-solving, government contract work, purchasing, and project management. I have broad supply chain knowledge, from receiving to sales to billing.
I’m interested in management roles, particularly in pharmaceuticals, creative industries, or staying in the PVF sector. However, I’m open to other opportunities as well. I’m comfortable with Excel, Adobe, and Epicor, but I need to improve my skills in advanced analytics like pivot tables and complex formulas.
Any suggestions on next steps? I’m worried about making the wrong choice and falling further behind peers who had traditional college experiences and job offers upon graduation.
Your government contract experience is actually gold - most people don’t have that specialized skillset. After 7+ years with one employer, you’ve built deep institutional knowledge that’s really valuable. Before jumping into external leadership programs, check what’s available internally first. Your company might have management training or succession planning you don’t know about yet. For skills, look at certifications like APICS SCOR or Six Sigma Green Belt. They’re way more accessible than degree programs and directly hit your supply chain background. Pharma companies love regulatory compliance experience, which you’ve got from government contracting. Don’t sell your unconventional path short - hiring managers often prefer candidates who show loyalty and can juggle multiple priorities.
Stop chasing those expensive leadership programs and start networking in your current industry instead. You’re already talking to suppliers, contractors, and municipal clients - those relationships are gold. Here’s what most people miss: pharma companies need specialized distribution partners for medical-grade piping systems. Your PVF background plus government contracting experience? That’s a rare combo that actually matters. Skip the debt and get industry certs like CPIM or CSCP. They show real supply chain expertise and carry way more weight than generic leadership fluff when you’re switching sectors. Don’t apologize for staying at one company for years - that screams reliability and deep knowledge. Companies are desperate for that right now with everyone job-hopping. You’re not unconventional, you’re specialized in a niche that connects to your target industries in ways that actually pay off.
Stop comparing yourself to others! That mix of warehouse, sales, and government contract experience? That’s gold - you’re incredibly versatile. Look at mid-size companies where you can wear multiple hats. You’ll move up way faster than you would at some massive corporation.
You’re way too hard on yourself! I switched careers at 28 after getting stuck in the same spot. Skip those big corporate programs everyone fights over - smaller companies actually promote from within and value loyalty over fancy resumes. Hit up PVF distributors or pharmaceutical suppliers. Government contracts plus supply chain? That’s gold, and way harder to find than you’d think. And forget the networking anxiety - my best opportunities came from LinkedIn connections I made years after college. Your experience matters more than any club ever could.