Meet Nicole Ipsen, a Marketing Coordinator at PureSpectrum. Today Nicole gives her insights into why she’s loved starting her career at PureSpectrum and shares advice for other young job seekers.
Q: What attracted you to working at PureSpectrum?
A: What attracted me to working at PureSpectrum was market research and the fact I didn’t know much about it. That might sound funny but I felt like working with the marketing team here would be a great opportunity for me to stretch my wings and learn. I knew learning a new industry was going to be a challenge, but I felt like that’s how I would grow the most.
I also liked PureSpectrum’s fast growth environment. Working at a mid-sized company, I liked the idea that I would be a part of a leaner team and get a lot of one on one time with my colleagues. I think coming straight out of college, it’s a bit daunting at first to go into a full-time role and position. But I jumped in! Yes, working for a startup is fast-paced, but you also can ask questions and get involved in projects right away.
The level of exposure that I experienced from day one at PureSpectrum was also a huge draw. On my first day, I went to PureSpectrum and the first two people I met was Stephanie Fuess our VP of Marketing and Founder and CEO, Michael McCrary. Both of them were so friendly and welcoming. Ultimately you want to be happy where you work and feel comfortable with the people you see every day. After those first meetings, I knew it was a good fit.
Q: You started as an intern at PureSpectrum, how do you think that process led you to job success?
A: I think that being an intern is super important because you get real-world experience. You don’t always know what you’re getting yourself into, but interning lets you get your feet wet and a sense of different roles within a company. Through my time interning at PureSpectrum, I was able to own projects and get to know people on the marketing team. When I was offered a full-time position, I knew what my role would be and what would be expected. The team also already knew what my strengths were and honestly, the transition felt pretty seamless. That would have never happened without interning here first.
Q: How do you think the office culture is different at PureSpectrum than at other companies?
A: I think some young job seekers may overlook benefits, but when people feel taken care of, I think the team just functions better. PureSpectrum truly cares about its employees and the employees in turn, really care for one another.
PureSpectrum invests in its employees for their lifetimes. We have 401k matching, unlimited PTO, 100% paid medical health insurance coverage, flexible office options, and really fun events, and trips. PureSpectrum rewards employees for working hard. And we do!
PureSpectrum also listens to employees. Last year, Michael McCrary sat down with every employee during virtual roundtables to encourage feedback from the entire organization. Afterward, what he learned was relayed to the company along with an executive plan of action. I’ve already seen some changes come into place, which is awesome!
Q: What have been some of your favorite highlights and aspects of your role here so far?
A: For someone who is essentially entry-level, I have a lot of autonomy. Once I proved myself to my team, I was given the freedom to own projects which helped me grow professionally. My team has pushed me outside of my comfort zone a few times but I’m proud of how I’ve been able to rise to the occasion. My highlight is how much my skillset and professional confidence have grown in a relatively short amount of time.
Q: How do you think PureSpectrum is innovating the workplace?
A: There’s a strategy and energy that you can feel. I think it’s a result of how people are managed here. As a company, we are working hard towards a common goal. There’s an alignment that starts from the top. We have monthly meetings to train, talk about what’s new on our different platforms and ask questions. OKRs are shared across departments which helps keep us all on pace and working collectively for the advancement of PureSpectrum.
I also touched on this before but the trust PureSpectrum puts in its employees is different and innovative too. Each employee does have autonomy in their job and mistakes are ok, as long as you figure out a way to correct them. It’s a pretty nurturing environment in the sense that you can be put on projects that are almost bigger than your role, but the rest of the company rallies behind you to make sure that you succeed.
Q: What is your advice for a new graduate looking to enter the workforce?
A: If your university has the opportunity to have an internship, definitely take it. Think about the opportunity strategically. If you have an interest that you’re pursuing or you want to go into, try to find an internship that utilizes it. But be open to different paths. I didn’t know I wanted to go into market research per se, but I knew I had an interest in marketing. By taking this opportunity, I was exposed to a whole industry and found a job I love.
Interested in joining our team? Learn about our current openings including internships and connect with us on LinkedIn.