From Marketing Graduate to Job Seeker

When I graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in Marketing, I thought I had a clear plan. But, like many new graduates, I soon realised that landing an entry-level role without prior experience is harder than expected. Most “entry-level” jobs I came across still required 1–3 years of experience. That didn’t sit right with me, but at the time, I felt like all I could do was keep applying.

That’s when I reconnected with an old friend on LinkedIn who was working at Insight Global. Her posts about her role sparked my curiosity, and once I looked into recruitment, I knew it was the right move. I had experienced how tough and confusing the job market can be, and recruitment felt like a way to make a real difference in how companies hire and how candidates are supported.

Finding Purpose in Recruitment

At Insight Global, I focused heavily on managing the candidate lifecycle - refining my ability to identify, screen, and place great talent in IT roles. I loved the candidate-facing side of recruitment, but after a couple of years, I started to feel ready for something more. Around the same time, I learned that Stanton House was hiring for a Senior Business Development Consultant to help grow their US contracting practice.

A colleague from Insight Global, now leading L&D at Stanton House, reached out and asked if I’d be interested. After just one conversation, I knew this was where I wanted to be. I had three non-negotiables for my next role: culture, collaboration, and enthusiasm. Stanton House not only met those expectations, but they exceeded them.

Why Stanton House Stood Out

What stood out most was how deeply Stanton House lives its values. It’s easy for a company to say they’re customer-centric, but here, it’s real. Every decision is rooted in delivering outstanding experiences for both clients and candidates. And while I came in with limited experience on the client side of recruitment, the support I received was immediate and personalised.

From day one, I was immersed in a structured 1:1 training program that helped me feel confident in the business development side of my role. The leadership team invested in my development, and the feedback culture meant I was constantly growing, without feeling judged.

The Power of a Coaching Culture

Recruitment has its highs and lows - it’s not all wins and celebrations. But what makes a real difference at Stanton House is the coaching-style leadership. Whether it's my manager or our most senior leaders, I always feel heard. The support is actionable, constructive, and designed to help you succeed long-term.

You’re never left to figure things out alone. That’s rare, and it’s a huge part of why I feel so at home here.

From Contracting to Cybersecurity

I originally joined Stanton House to build out the contracting arm of the business. And during my first six months, I saw real success. But as economic uncertainty set in, more clients began stepping away from contract hiring, and opportunities slowed down.

That’s when I saw a niche opportunity in Identity and Access Management (IAM), a fast-growing area within cybersecurity. After pitching the idea to our EVP and getting the green light, I’ve been running with it ever since.

Looking Ahead

My journey with Stanton House hasn’t been a straight line, but that’s exactly why it’s been so rewarding. I’m now focused on building our IAM cybersecurity practice, and I feel incredibly proud of the foundation we’ve laid.

More than anything, I know I’m in the right place because of the people, the culture, and the freedom to grow in ways that align with my strengths and interests.

My story here is just beginning - and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s next.