Have you ever sat near a pond and watched the way tiny creatures move from place to place? I have! There’s something mesmerizing about the calm and quiet space, especially when I see frogs leaping across lily pads. Now, full transparency: frogs terrify me. Despite my fears,I’m fascinated by how they use lily pads as stepping stones to get where they need to go.
That image has stayed with me, especially when I think about my own professional journey. Each leap I take in my career, no matter how calculated, comes with its own dose of fear, doubt, and risk. Much like the frog, I often find myself lingering on one pad a little longer than planned. Not because I’m stuck, but because I’m watching, listening, and figuring out the best next step.
My first jump came while working in admissions and enrollment management at a small historically Black college. It wasn’t the “fraternity/sorority life dream job” I had in mind, but it was the right lily pad at the time. That role gave me a front-row seat to how institutions run – how decisions in one department ripple across campus life. I learned how to read data trends, forecast enrollment, and anticipate how shifts in numbers affect student support, resources, and culture. But, perhaps even more importantly, I learned how to build authentic connections with students, families, and colleagues.
I thought I was ready to leap into fraternity and sorority life (FSL) work right after completing my master’s degree. But then, 2020 happened. Job offers disappeared, hiring froze, and my plans crumbled. Though that pause felt endless, it wasn’t wasted. That season of waiting gave me space to reflect, regroup, and reevaluate what I really wanted. It also reminded me of something we don’t always talk about in career planning: timing matters just as much as preparation.
Eventually, I landed a job in student success. Not FSL, but adjacent, and it turned out to be exactly what I needed. I built advising skills, learned how to collaborate across departments, and developed confidence navigating family dynamics. I also gained experience responding to crises and supporting students holistically. All of that has carried over into my current work with FSL, where those same skills of relationship-building, working with campus partners, and student coaching are used every single day.
After a year working in student success, I noticed a shift. FSL professionals were leaving the field, creating space and opportunity. So I reframed my resume. I highlighted transferable skills. I stopped trying to fit a mold and instead told my story with confidence. The interviews that followed weren’t easy. There were a lot of “no”s and a lot of silence, but I treated each one like a rehearsal: refining how I talked about my work, learning what I wanted (and didn’t), and identifying my own non-negotiables.
Eventually, the “yes” came, and it felt right not just because it aligned with my goals, but because I was ready. The path wasn’t straightforward, and there were plenty of moments when I considered staying on a familiar pad out of comfort. But every pause, every stretch, every jump brought me closer to where I am now.
If you’re in the middle of your own lily pad moment – whether you’re jumping, resting, or just trying to figure out what comes next – know that it’s okay to take your time. Every role you take on, even the ones that feel far from your dream job, holds value. The key is recognizing what you’re learning along the way and being intentional about how you show up for the next opportunity.
My journey taught me the following:
- Resting isn’t quitting, it’s preparation. Taking a pause doesn’t mean you’ve given up; it means you’re gathering what you need for the next leap.
- Every experience teaches you something, especially the hard ones. Growth often hides in the moments that feel the most uncertain.
- Transferable skills are real. Learn how to speak their language. It’s not just about what you’ve done, but how you tell your story.
- Your journey won’t look like anyone else’s, and that’s a good thing. The winding path is still progress, and it’s uniquely preparing you for what’s ahead.
If you’re serious about getting to your next, start putting yourself in spaces that align with it. Connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Join associations like AFA. Attend a webinar, sit in on a meeting, ask someone for an informational interview. These things matter. They open doors – and even if it’s just a crack, sometimes that’s all you need.
So keep leaping. Your lily pad journey is uniquely yours, and every hop – whether bold or barely a shuffle – is bringing you closer to something great.
About the Author
Brittany Harris-Nelson, Ed.D., is a student affairs professional dedicated to fraternity and sorority engagement, leadership development, and student belonging. She currently serves as Assistant Director of Fraternity & Sorority Engagement at Wake Forest University, where she supports inclusive, purpose-driven communities. A proud wife and mother, Brittany is passionate about helping students grow through meaningful involvement and transformative campus experiences.
