NAVIGATING CAREER CHANGE AND CHALLENGE: THREE DLE MEMBERS SHARE THEIR SUCCESS STORIES

By Allison Rinehart, Communications Intern, Senior at Clark University

The DLE network is filled with dynamic members who have experienced fascinating and dynamic career journeys. Rarely is the drive forward a steady state. There are unexpected obstacles and frustrating setbacks that drain energy and prompt doubt. But passion, focus, and commitment are a rallying formula.

Three DLE members in diverse industries and positions share their experiences with the HUB. Their insights about networking, adaptability and self-awareness can inspire new or renewed direction for you.

BLAKE BERG

Blake Berg, a DLE member since his senior year at Syracuse University in 2012, brings unique experiences in his career journey as both a startup creator and merging partner.

With ample experience in mechanical engineering and leadership, Blake is the ideal candidate for innovative business creation. In March 2020 he co-founded a real estate and construction management company, DB Partners, and covered a wide breadth of systems, such as industrial, hospitality, and mixed use real estate.

In January 2024, the company merged to become DC Partners, where Blake currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Development and Construction. Many of his skills in construction and engineering translated seamlessly to this new role.

This change involved Blake moving from Austin to Houston, Texas. He relished the opportunity to explore a new city and the learning that came with it: “I could’ve decided to be a remote employee and stay in Austin, but I would’ve missed out on some of the leadership opportunities and personal growth that I’ve done with the group.”

There was sometimes a challenge of adjusting his work to a larger scale. The worries of the minutiae of a small business were gone, but with greater scope came greater pressure. He has found a balance by creating effective collaboration with his team members, as well as by keeping an open mind to new methods of working together. He took what could have been a chaotic situation and turned it into an effective and beneficial one.

And Blake has simple but useful advice for someone who is interested in beginning their own startup: “If you feel like doing it, just do it.”

ALISA COSTA

For Alisa Costa, an active DLE programming volunteer since 2021, an industry change prompted a career assessment.

Alisa’s career roots were firmly embedded in the nonprofit arena with leadership positions in social justice organizations. In 2022, she decided to step out on her own by launching a Pittsfield, MA-based consultancy, Engaged Communities Consulting, which specializes in providing tailored diversity and inclusion training for organizational staff and community engagement strategy implementation to all types of businesses.

One year later, Alisa took another bold step–stepping into local politics and running a campaign for city councilor in her hometown of Pittsfield, MA. She scored a victory. Concurrent, Alisa was re-evaluating her full-time employment situation. Her social justice roots were sprouting new growth and she found her interests gravitating back to her public policy roots. She set out on a job search this past spring that successfully ended with the position of Policy Analyst and Project Manager at Way Finders, a Springfield, MA, organization that provides services across the housing continuum, from shelters to homeownership, in Western Massachusetts.

When asked what motivates her to return to this public-facing work, Alisa responds, “Living in the community you work in is extra special because you get to see firsthand the impact, (as well as) the people that you impact; you interact with them.”

JESSE NOLL

Jesse Noll, an active DLE member for eight years and 2016 Syracuse University graduate, wanted a new challenge. After establishing his career in the advertising agency sector, spending seven years in a position at the prominent company Wavemaker, he wanted to try something new.

His ensuing job search ended up with a new position in Spring 2024 as Sales Director at NYC-based Raptive. The firm specializes in collaborating with digital content creators in a brand-based method that encourages lasting impact.

Jesse explains what motivated this shift: “I wanted to learn. I felt like I needed to do a complete pivot to something else…to learn…how a skill set is built.” This new position has all the skills he values: building client relationships, working with a team, and bringing new advertising campaigns to life. In addition, it built on his newfound interest in sales and client interaction.

Asked how he stayed flexible through this career transition, Jesse credits his adaptive curiosity. He says that staying curious “is something you need to have to build a very diverse skill set.” From food to retail to pharmaceuticals, Jesse takes curiosity with him to each role. And the skills from it empower his success.

QUICK ADVICE ON CAREER TRANSITIONS

Alisa: “Be brave and trust that whatever your next step is, you have the skills to thrive in it.”

Blake: “Really focus on what you’re passionate about and figure out what skills and network you can leverage into opportunity.”

Jesse: “It’s a lot less scary than you think it actually is. Each time you do make that type of change, it becomes easier and less scary.”