Meet Melissa: CEO & Chief Learning Officer, Telecom Training Corporation
What do you love most about your job?
I love seeing the spark in someone’s eyes the moment they learn something new during my training workshops and speeches. As a dedicated life-long learner, I love being able to use my passions of research, writing, training, and speaking to help others learn new knowledge and how to sell, support and troubleshoot new technologies using effective communication skills.
What are the biggest obstacles you see for young women in the media, entertainment and/or technology industries?
My belief is that too many women think that hard work and being smart are the primary skills required to advance in the corporate world. I’ve discovered that in addition to these attributes, “Who you know is where you go.” This critically important and often overlooked strategy is harder for those who are quieter, sensitive, and shyer. However, the good news is that networking skills can be learned and strengthened with on-going commitment and practice.
What do you value most about your membership with The WICT Network?
I value my involvement in The WICT Network as a Southeast chapter board member, Carolinas chapter executive event volunteer, Philadelphia chapter sponsor, and 2022 graduate of the Senior Executive Summit. These volunteer roles provide the opportunity to contribute my training and speaking skills plus decades of corporate experience with clients such as Comcast and AT&T to support the professional development of others in our industry.
Since March 2021 I’ve learned…
To continually remember ABN – Always Be Networking – and to do so in innovative ways. And to not take things for granted since change can occur any moment.
My favorite mantra is…
An adventure a day keeps life fun and exciting.
One book, TV show, or movie I’d recommend (and why!) is…
Any of PG Wodehouse’s 100+ books entitling him to be rated the world’s greatest humorist from the 1900s-1970s. I laugh out loud when I read his work which is indispensable to me since it’s so easy for me to take life too seriously.