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September 10, 2025
When I was in college, I didn’t realize just how valuable my degrees in English and Communications would be for a role in procurement. I started my career working as a dean’s assistant at Lansing Community College before being asked to apply for a buyer position. Even though I was hesitant to take a position that was housed under finance, I applied and got the job. It turns out that I love this role.
I became involved with NIGP right away because of my manager’s encouragement and have served in our local chapter in some capacity for the last five years. I became more interested in NIGP at the national level when I started working on my certifications. I learned about Edge at a time when I was focused on my personal journey, and it seemed like a natural next step for my career.
A Journey of Self-Discovery
When I first learned about Edge, I had gone from a buyer to a purchasing coordinator to an administrator with direct reports. I wanted to strengthen my leadership skills in my department and continue growing as a better administrator. I was also looking for personal self-improvement opportunities and was pleasantly surprised to find that the Edge program is a lot more personalized than I thought it would be. It wasn’t just teaching us about leadership at a high level but helping us apply the skills we were being taught. I appreciated this holistic approach.
The emotional intelligence test and DISC assessment allowed me to personalize the rest of the classes so I could apply them to my areas of weakness. I am a precisionist, which means I view the world through a logical and analytical lens. Through Edge, I learned that we are all unique and different, and we view the world through a different perspective. This has made me become more mindful of other people’s perspectives and ways of thinking. In growing as a leader, Edge taught me to consider the strengths of each team member and think about communicating in a way that best meets the needs of the person I am trying to reach. By communicating more effectively and trying to understand others I can build a stronger team, instill more confidence in them, and help create a more peaceful environment.
Adding to My Growing Network
I enjoyed meeting new people at Edge, and I made a point to sit down with someone new every day to make sure I met as many people as possible. I still chat with my small group through texts. On a personal level, it’s great to have friends and colleagues who understand what you do and the struggles you face. We typically have spouses and friends from outside the fields who don’t understand what we do and what we’re going through. So, having that network of support is vital.
Even though I’m in higher education, I found that I learned a lot from the other participants who were in city and state government offices. It was interesting to see that while we work in different types of organizations, we still face many of the same issues.
Advice for Next Year’s Edge Cohort
If you’re thinking about attending Edge, make sure you give yourself time to absorb all the information that you’re reading. It will take some time, not just in class but outside of class, to read the book, and more importantly, to think about and apply the lessons. Also, stay connected with your small group to help keep you on track and understand different ways to apply the content from various viewpoints.
Finally, embrace the experience when you get to Leadership Summit and meet people from the other cohort groups! Get to know as many people as you can and expose yourself to different perspectives. Some will feel familiar, and some will be brand new. You can gain a lot of insights and make great connections just by talking to everyone.
I am so glad I went through the Edge program with NIGP. It has helped me grow as a leader and as an individual. The personalized approach was exactly what I was looking for, and I know I am a stronger leader because of it.
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