Author: Sydney Gallup, Career Coach
While a career center in the 1980s may have focused on job placement rather than career exploration, one thing has remained constant: networking is key. Building relationships can open doors to career opportunities that may not be immediately apparent. Mary Ward, a UNC Charlotte alum, found career success through networking, continuous growth, and self-trust.
Let's take a quick look at Mary’s career path. She began her professional journey as a probation officer for the state, an opportunity she secured through an internship in the criminal justice program at UNC Charlotte. She then transitioned into nonprofit work with McLeod for several years before moving into a grant program with the Mecklenburg County ABC Board. Later, she joined Carolinas Healthcare System (now Atrium/Advocate Health) in addiction medicine. Before retiring, she returned to McLeod as president.
A common thread throughout Mary’s career has been her dedication to making an impact. In every role, she influenced the community, her colleagues, and the organizations she served. Her work with the Mecklenburg County ABC Board ensured that profits from distilled spirit sales were reinvested into nonprofits focused on treatment and prevention services. At McLeod, she played a key role in ensuring all nine locations were tobacco-free and in integrating nicotine treatment into their services. Additionally, she championed staff development, encouraging advanced education and certifications.
Mary did not actively seek the position of president at McLeod; rather, the organization reached out and asked her to return in that capacity. This speaks volumes about the impact she had left behind. Leadership is not about achieving immediate, individual results—it’s about fostering growth and continuous education so that those you lead can make impactful decisions. When team members succeed because you have empowered them, that is true leadership.
“In my last role as President of a non-profit, I learned my success was not anything that I did, but what others accomplished.”
Those who considered Mary for a leadership role years after she had left not only remembered her impact but also valued the relationships she had built. She describes her career as a series of coordinated moves with partner organizations where she formed strong connections. This reinforces the idea that the influence of networking is often unpredictable. By prioritizing her growth, maintaining relationships, and leaving lasting impressions at the organizations she served, Mary naturally gravitated toward leadership—without actively pursuing it. However, she undeniably earned and deserved it.
For those uncertain about their career path, Mary’s journey serves as a reminder that certainty isn’t always necessary. Like many professionals, her path was neither linear nor predictable. Instead of fixating on a single trajectory, she focused on continuous learning and seeking opportunities. When a role no longer served her, she moved on. When advised that she didn’t need an MBA, she pursued it anyway. When she needed a new position, she tapped into her network.
“If I look back at my career, it's much easier for me to tell you what I've learned than what was an immediate success for me. Failure shapes you in that it creates a pause for you to look deeper into the 'whys' behind your direction, and it might even illuminate something you hadn’t noticed before—causing you to explore a different path.”
Embrace failure, reflect on accomplishments, and analyze every experience. Both failure and success offer opportunities for introspection. In Mary’s words, “There is learning in every situation; you have to find it—and that's what moves you forward.”