Welcome to our newest post of our “Been There, Done That” series, where our WE Summer Interns interviewed fellow employees who also started at Waggener Edstrom as an intern. In this post, Victoria von Rinteln, who is an intern with our Healthcare Practice, interviews Malina Johnson, Vice President on our Microsoft account.
Been There, Done That: Creating Your Own Path
By Victoria von Rinteln, intern, Healthcare Practice
When Malina Johnson began her internship, her plan was to earn her final 2 credits before graduation. Never did she imagine that an internship at WE would lead her down a fulfilling career path. In fact, this “Rocky Mountain girl” was on her way to New York to become a news anchor. Of course, that all changed once she walked through the doors of WE.
“When I arrived, I didn’t yet know WE interns had the opportunity to prove themselves and be hired on as full-time employees following their internship,” said Malina. “However, I was so inspired by the trails blazed in company founded by two women.”
After Malina was hired full-time she soon learned the most amazing part about WE is the organization’s ability to grow and change right alongside you. “Over the course of a dozen years, your role in life takes new dimensions.” said Malina. “At every turn, I’ve found WE has the ability to not only grow and scale with your life, but push you further.”
Malina just embarked on the next segment of her journey attaining an MBA at Thunderbird School of Global Management, ranked #1 in international business. She will have the opportunity to study in many corners of the world and apply what she learns towards how we can more effectively team across borders and further WE’s global vision. Once again, Malina finds herself reinventing who she is as her career at WE continues to evolve.
As a typical recent college grad, I am constantly wondering where my passions lie and where my career will take me over the next ten or twenty years. As I interviewed Malina and learned about all the twists and turns her career has taken her, I took the opportunity to ask her to reflect on her experiences. The greatest piece of advice she gave me is that in order to build the base of who you are and find your niche, you have to be actively revolutionizing yourself. You have to be open to new experiences, always challenge yourself, and be ready to pick yourself up and do it all over again.
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Melanie Moir
