Rachel Stirling
June 4, 2019
Rachel Stirling (2019)
Rachel Stirling is working in Commercial Real Estate for Cushman and Wakefield on new locations and special projects for her client. In her role she handles site selection, lease negotiations, and project and construction management for the client. Prior to this role Rachel worked in human resources for three years. Rachel currently resides in St. Louis, enjoys being active, spending time with her dogs, and going to Blues games with family and friends.
What year did you graduate and what was your concentration?
I graduated in 2014 with a concentration in Public Communication.
What extra-/co-curricular activities did you do?
I was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma for all four years, I was the intern to the Alumni Director for three years, and I was a member of Communication Club for three years, two of those years as an officer.
Rachel (2rd fr left) and a few of her Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority sisters outside of Brewer Hall (2012).
Did you go to grad school? If so, where? Was it immediately after you left Truman or did you wait? Why?
I did not go to grad school, I went straight into working in Human Resources. When I was looking at different career options for life after Truman I was not entirely sure of what I wanted to do. I wanted to work professionally and gain maturity and insight as to what it was I wanted to do before deciding if grad school was a good option for me.
What was your first job after graduation?
My first job after school was an Executive Team Leader of Human Resources for Target. I worked at a Target store overseeing with the store manager all HR efforts for that store. We would work on staffing, succession planning, scheduling culture, customer service payroll, and day to day operations for the store to help the team run a successful store.
What work do you do/What are you doing now?
Rachel and a friend geared up for a Cardinals game (2018).
I now work in commercial Real Estate for Cushman and Wakefield. For the account I am on, I oversee the entire process of finding a new location for our client all the way through to working out of that new location. My day to day responsibilities include site selection, lease negotiations, project and construction management, and installation of 45-50 projects.
How has your Liberal Arts/COMM education helped you?
Having a liberal arts degree has helped me become a well-rounded professional. Good customer service is one of the most valuable skills an individual can have, and relationship building is a large part of that. Having an education that was diverse gave me an appreciation for things outside my major and has helped me relate better to clients, vendors, and coworkers.
Which class did you dislike at the time you took it, but now you’re grateful you took it?
Public Speaking was a class I took as a freshman that I did not like because I was so scared of talking in front of an audience but has been extremely valuable to me throughout my career. Now, when it comes time to lead a meeting or to assist with training, I am extremely confident in my ability to deliver a presentation professionally and effectively. Without the skills I learned in that class, I would probably still be hiding in the back of the room begging not be called on in a meeting.
What was your greatest accomplishment at Truman?
My greatest accomplishment at Truman was graduating with the feeling that I came to Kirksville and accomplished what I wanted to accomplish. I was able to learn and grow in a safe place that valued each student, helping each one pick their own path. I knew the skills I learned while there, both in and out of the classroom, were ones I would value my whole life. I was able to be involved with organizations where I could make an impact for students who came after me. I was also able to build relationships and network with alumni while I was at school, which has helped me tremendously after leaving Truman.
Why is Truman a good place for a student to study?
Truman is a fantastic place for students to study because the university gives students the ability to take a comfortable amount of ownership in their education. Students have the ability to choose courses that inspire them rather than classes they are required to take.
Rachel and her mentor/friend/boss Denise Smith (2013).
As a student, I knew I was interested in Human Resources and wanted to make sure I had the coursework that gave me the skills I could apply in several industries. I took an Organizational Communication course and I could really see how organizations were structured, how to best work within those structures, and the why behind how the culture of an organization drove its success.
Beyond the coursework, having professors and mentors that give you guidance as you navigated the question on what was next was amazing. I was able to sit down with department heads talk about my strengths and weaknesses, a Pulitzer Prize-winning professor and learn what it means to be inspired professionally, and Denise Smith, the late Alumni Director for Truman, to help me decide on my best path. The most rewarding part of this process was having so many people truly care about me advising me. At graduation, I remember feeling that I had so many people from my second family rooting for me and who would be there for me even after leaving Kirksville. I know this experience was something special. Not every university could provide such an experience, but Truman managed to so.
What would you say a COMM student should absolutely do while at Truman?
I would tell every COMM student they should absolutely take Organizational Communication when it is offered. This is a class where the course work is something you will see every day in your career, and understanding the why behind organization structures will help you be so successful.
What advice would you give someone who wants to go into the same line of work as you?
Rachel hugging the bride at her wedding (2018).
Find a way to be involved with alumni before you need to ask for a job. I was very lucky to work aside the Alumni Director while at Truman and it opened up several doors for me. I was able to leverage those relationships when I began my job search. Networking like this is something extremely valuable as every job I have had after school has come from a relationship I built while I was a student at Truman. These same relationships have been ones where I can go back to for mentorship and guidance as I have grown professionally.
What do you miss most about campus/Kirksville?
I miss Fridays on campus the most. When you walk on campus, especially the long walk to Barnett Hall, there is this palatable feeling of accomplishment, excitement, and community. I can remember walking on campus seeing all the friendly faces I knew, which was always comforting. I also remember seeing the Greek Letters or the Truman apparel (Purple Fridays) people wore gave you a sense of community. Truman is a special place to be for four years, but Fridays are particularly special.
What tag line would you create for the COMM department at Truman?
I would call it a “you choose” major. You choose your path from here because this major opens so many doors for everyone. (Editor’s note: Ooooh, that’s good.)
If you could come back to Truman and teach a class for a semester, what would be its title and what would it be about?
I would want to come back and teach a class, for seniors, on basic day-to-day business communication. A class on how to communicate in modern organization structures, basic email, and memo writing. I would also want to include customer service communication. Those are skills that I got a foundation of while in school, but wish I could have learned more. I would title the course “You got the job, now what?”
What did we not ask that you think is important for people to know?
Focus on the relationships you are building while at school. You will likely run across many Truman grads and students while out in the world. Those relationships are great nuggets to have in a new job or new town that can make life a little easier. Truman grads are always happy to help another Truman grad or student out.
Rachel (3rd fr left, front row) and more of her Tri-Sigma sorority sisters on campus (2011).