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Success isn’t always linear

Meet Lauren Patterson, Senior Manager, Market Activation

When Lauren finished university, she didn’t know what she wanted to do, “I knew I wanted to travel, make a positive impact, but I didn’t have a plan. I started working in a human resources role which evolved into a technical recruitment role.”

“I have learned that there is no direct path when it comes to your career.  Sometimes we go backwards, we learn from it, and we move forward.  The important thing is to be flexible, be open to change, give it a go and be true to yourself.  Focus on what you want, don’t compare where you are in your career with where others are. We’re all different.”  These are wise words from Lauren Patterson, a Senior Manager in Market Activation, who sat down with us recently to share her career journey and what has inspired her along the way.

Taking a leap

When Lauren finished university, she didn’t know what she wanted to do, “I knew I wanted to travel, make a positive impact, but I didn’t have a plan.  I started working in a human resources role which evolved into a technical recruitment role.”   

After a few years the company was going through a buyout process and recruitment was paused.  It was at this time an unexpected opportunity presented itself.  The Head of Marketing approached Lauren and asked if she’d be interested in taking a role in marketing. “I’d never thought about pursuing a marketing career, but this opportunity felt right because the Head of Marketing was a powerhouse herself, she is really inspirational and that she was willing to give me this opportunity told me that ‘I can do this’, she sees potential in me.”  Lauren was also encouraged and supported by her boss at that time to go for it, “Susan Gardner, our now Director of HR in Basware in North America, she’s an accomplished and uplifting woman, she was incredibly supportive, and she encouraged me to go for it.” 

Inspiring others

This has given Lauren an appreciation for mentoring and supporting others build their careers, “It’s important to remember that others are observing you, because you never know who you’re influencing and who may see you as a role model. Whether at home or at work you can inspire others.  If you see someone that is doing a good job, or you see a talent or skill in someone, let them know. And I love that Basware has set up the Women’s Mentoring Program and formalised mentoring, because as a mentor you may create a pivotal moment in someone’s career. 

Be true to yourself

As Lauren’s career has grown and developed over the years, she recalls one of the best bits of advice given by her boss at the time was to “keep trying to discover ‘the why’, because that’s when you’re starting to think like a manager.”  This gave Lauren the confidence to follow a career path that led to being a manager rather than an individual contributor.  Having the confidence and support to ‘give it a try’ has been important for her, “Basware has been very supportive through my career, and I feel that my career has grown up while I have grown up and encountered significant milestones in my personal life, from the early days of shifting roles to pregnancy and maternity leave to being a working mum.  Basware has supported me and encouraged me to embrace change and focus on what works for me.”  And focusing on yourself is the advice that Lauren would offer others, “Think about where you want to be, don’t worry about where others are, because we’re all different and success isn’t always linear.  Be true to yourself, think about what you want and don’t give up looking for the thing that fires you up.  And most important of all, surround yourself with people who want to lift you up and support you.”

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