Meet Jaimie Miller: Executive at 27
You’re never too young to reach for your dreams or shoot for the crescent moon. We encourage you to find out what inspires you. Who knows, it may just lead to a career. Our featured sister Jaimie Miller discovered what she was passionate about, and she is making a living doing what she loves.
Jaimie Miller studied political science, law and international affairs as an undergraduate. After graduation, she worked for an attorney, a state senator and was on track to go to law school. She worked for an organization that lobbied for low-income families and credit unions. She was able to help create policy that served the underprivileged. Inspiration sunk in, and Jaimie knew that she wanted to take her career in a direction that helps people. Her goals shifted, but her drive continued. Rather than obtaining a law degree, she got her master’s degree in public administration with a focus on public policy from Drake University and she was able to take her political experience and public policy knowledge to the nonprofit arena.
Shine beyond: As an executive director, can you tell us what your day to day activities look like?
Jaimie Miller: The Iowa Credit Union Foundation is responsible for helping 500 low-income families by helping provide sustainable lifestyles without the families relying on government assistance.
I serve as the executive director of our Foundation. This means I am the lead staff person for our organization. I oversee our strategic priorities, budget and board. It’s my job to makes sure things run smoothly within our organization, but also to make sure our organization is living up to its mission – to help low-income folks get out of poverty. That means all fundraising campaigns, grants and events need to relate to the program. My political experience came in handy, as we do receive funding from the state. This means I get to attend the State House, and get to lobby for our funding. I educate law makers about what our organization does.
You originally wanted to pursue a career in politics. What changed? What advice would you give to sisters who want a change in career?
JM: I asked the senator I was working for how he knew it was the right time to run for office. He said, ‘you don’t, you just do it!’ To our sisters, how do you know when it’s the right time to do what you love? You just do it!
That’s some great advice. What further advice do you have for women who want to be in leadership roles?
JM: We need more women in leadership positions. When I say that, I stop and think about the sacrifices women make to get where they are in careers. First, men don’t always get the same choice women are faced with when it comes to family vs. career. Second, women are more scared to overcome failure – we fear failure and fear to share failure.
As strong women, we should embrace failure. Without failure we don’t learn. If we don’t learn, we don’t grow. If we do fail, or see someone fail, think about what you can gain from it. We need to learn that it’s okay to take risks – whether it’s for a leadership position, to run for political office or deciding to be a stay-at-home mom. They are all risks, and they are all worth taking. For example, I had a friend who asked me for advice about negotiating salary. Her biggest fear was simply bringing it up. You need to be your own advocate; no one else can do it for you. Take the risk.
Thinking back to your very first real-world job or internship interview, what did you learn? What advice can you give to sisters who are about to have their first interview?
JM: I was recruited for my last two positions, and I was lucky for that – it was enlightening to learn from a recruiter’s perspective. My advice is that you cannot practice enough. I tend to be a long-winded person, but my recruiter said its best to keep answers straight to the point. You don’t want to answer questions they didn’t ask, or elaborate in an area off subject. The rule of three is something I live by. If an interviewer asks for strengths, weaknesses, challenges, solutions – be prepared with more than one answer. I always had three.
What experiences in Gamma Phi Beta helped you prepare for the workforce?
JM: I was always active, even back in high school. However, philanthropy wasn’t a big piece of my life until I went to college. I was surrounded by women who made me think outside the box. They exposed me to challenges in their lives. It gave me this drive to want to do more. I didn’t just want a job, I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others.
I was able to attend Gamma Phi Beta’s Convention 2006 in Phoenix. I saw women who gave their time and talent to our Sorority, and also were able to work and give charitable gifts. It was an eye-opening experience; one that I won’t forget.
It’s common for women to talk about their professional development, but we rarely see our role models talk about their personal development. What can you share about your personal development?
JM: A friend of mine once said, ‘everyone should have a personal board of directors – those who will support you personally and professionally.’
I surround myself with people who make me a better person. When I have a rough day, it’s the women and men I surround myself with who help me gain perspective and remind me to take life with a grain of salt. I have a lot of responsibility within my job, and it’s great to know that I have a support system who understands that. I love my job, but my family comes first and my support system understands that. My advice: make sure your cheerleaders understand your life goals.
Any final thoughts you want to share?
JM: I’ve learned that you never know when people are looking up to you. I always found myself speaking to mentors. I didn’t realize that other women were looking up to me at the same time, and in all walks of life – my volunteer life, my married life. Whether you realize it or not, you’re an example for young women. I was at our local mall, shopping with my now husband. A woman came up to me (she was a freshman when I was a senior in Gamma Phi) and said, ‘I look up to you so much. I now work in nonprofit because you inspired me.’ So remember, you inspire people daily.
Do what you love. Love what you do!
It's okay to follow your dreams! Learn more about Ellie Kirke and how she followed her design aspirations from Nebraska to New York!