How did you find your way to where you are today? Share a little about your professional journey.

Originally from Charleston, SC, I moved home for a few months after graduating from Furman in 2010. My day job was working in operations at a local bank in addition to starting my own babysitting business called “Legare’s Busy Bees.” I held interviews every day at my local Starbucks after work and ended with 80 babysitters I would place for different date nights and weekends around the city. At the time, it was a way I paid off my Furman student loans.

I remember visiting New York that fall and falling in love with the energy and pace of city. I took a weekend and lined up a few interviews, including one with a staffing/recruiting agency. After describing the nature of my babysitting business, there were many parallels between the two—and the rest is history. Six years later, I am a senior managing consultant at Beacon Hill Staffing Group in New York and I am truly grateful I have found my career in recruiting.

What motivations fueled your career path?

I am inspired to make the world in which I live a better place. My career demonstrates that inspiration, though it has manifested itself in some unusual ways.

Throughout my life, I have always loved helping—whether it was volunteering at the animal shelter, helping run errands for someone, or connecting two people who could benefit from knowing each other. Being in a career where I have the ability of connecting people with wonderful positions in New York has been so gratifying. It never gets old calling a candidate and giving them the news they were offered the position they have been interviewing for.

When providing advice for professional development, what are some tools or resources one should consider?

For me, the best advice for professional development would be networking. Networking can include going to networking events, speaking with alumni, or grabbing a cup of coffee to gather knowledge. What I consider to the most productive is having genuine conversations with an individual in the field you are looking to pursue. Nothing beats sitting across from someone and being able to ask specific, detailed questions tailored to your interests.

How would you recommend someone interested in the same career/vocation pursue a similar path?

It is most beneficial to reach out to individuals you would have a common connection with and asking for an introductory phone call. You want to be able to gather as much information as possible as to what the career actually is versus what you think it might be. It is also the perfect opportunity to make sure you have the right intangible qualities needed for success within the industry. For recruiting as a whole, being someone who likes to communicate and connect with many different people coming from a variety of backgrounds is vital to long-term happiness.

What are some challenges you face in your industry?

One of the hardest things about the staffing/recruiting industry is that we are in the business of dealing with human emotion and decision-making. Being the middleman, you cannot decide whether someone is going to take the position being offered or push a client to make an offer for a candidate that wants the position. Resiliency and a positive outlook are vital.

What do you wish you would have known getting started in your field?

I had no prior knowledge of the staffing industry as a whole before taking on the field. Looking back, I wish I would have known the emotional toll it can take on you. When someone is putting their career search in your hands, both the pressure and stakes are high. You want what is best for both parties involved, your client and your candidate. That often means you become the sounding board for everyone involved, which can be emotionally draining.

What additional education or certification is required/recommended?

The best thing about the staffing/recruiting industry is there is not any additional education or certification required or recommended. It is an amazing gateway for people who graduate with any degree who are not exactly sure where their degree could lead them.

How has your liberal arts background shaped your career path or supported your success?

Coming from such a tight-knit community at Furman, I learned how valuable creating and maintaining relationships are in my career. My professors took a vested interest in my success and my closest friendships and support system today came from my time at school. Additionally, the options and freedom it gave me to explore many different classes allowed me grow beyond any specific arena.

What extracurricular activities helped you develop professionally?

At Furman, I was an active member in my sorority in addition to the Alumni Networking Association. Both groups pushed me to build and expand upon my interpersonal skill-set while allowing me to work together on a team. Holding different leadership roles on both also taught me accountability at an early stage in my Furman career, which has definitely contributed to my success at Beacon Hill Staffing and New York.