Young Pros Spotlight
Elena Sanz
What is your role / current company?
Senior Project Manager/Target Corporation
When did you join the ARF Young Pros? 2016
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
I am proud of earning my Certified Associate Project Management (CAPM) certificate through the Project Management Institute (PMI). I was new to the project management field and wanted to gain a solid foundation in the different methodologies, terminology and processes of effective project management so I could become an expert in my field. Eventually, I hope to gain my Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate to further my knowledge in project management and demonstrate my ability to lead and direct teams.
What is your biggest professional challenge?
Starting a new job during COVID-19 has definitely been a challenge because I am not only learning my new role and responsibilities, but also striving to build rapport and develop comradery with my teammates. It has also been a challenge to network with people inside and outside of my department because those random hallway, kitchen, elevator or cafeteria chats and connections are missed. Relationship building is important in any job to progress in your career, so I’ve made a point to schedule virtual meetings with employees in and outside my department to build a strong internal network and learn more about the company.
What’s your favorite Young Pros event that you’ve been to?
I was unemployed from March to July 2020, which was a difficult time for a job search, so my favorite event(s) has been the Young Pros Meet-Ups. I was able to make great connections with other Young Pro members, who facilitated interviews for me at their organizations and connected me with others in the industry. I still keep in touch with a few to this day and am glad I was able to make deeper connections within the industry and learn from them.
When researching a topic you know nothing about, how do you get started?
I usually start with Google to gather an overview from a variety of reputable sources. Then I like to tap into my network of experts to learn more about the topic. If I want to dive even deeper, I’ll look for a book at the public library on the specific topic.
What is your favorite restaurant in your city?
My favorite restaurant is The Hive in Bentonville, Arkansas, which is connected to the 21C Museum Hotel. 21C and The Hive bring together southern food while highlighting Arkansas cuisine and eclectic contemporary art. It is the perfect place to have a happy hour, meet with a coworker or friend, enjoy a craft cocktail (my favorite is Belle Gone Bad) and a small bite to eat or dinner.
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