Source: Fortune
Summary
Ayala Ossowski, a 26-year-old Gen Z grad, was struggling to land an internship due to lack of experience. She took matters into her own hands by wearing a baseball cap with her university logo while working at a pizza shop in Washington, D.C. The cap sparked conversations with customers, including a future boss who was impressed by her tenacity and eventually offered her an internship. The experience led to more job opportunities, and Ossowski is now a PR manager at Cisco. She advises young job seekers to be creative in their approach, use their personal strengths to stand out, and be intentional about their online presence.
Our Reading
The strategy enters a familiar phase.
Ayala Ossowski’s unorthodox approach to networking paid off, but it’s not just about the baseball cap. It’s about being intentional and creative in a crowded job market. Ossowski’s experience highlights the importance of showcasing one’s skills and personality, even in unexpected settings. The fact that her future boss was impressed by her handling of a difficult customer underscores the value of demonstrating professionalism and composure in any situation. As Ossowski notes, “the market is so saturated with such incredible talent that it takes some creativity to stand out from the crowd.”
It only takes one person to notice you.
And in this case, it was the right person.
Networking can happen anywhere, even at a pizza shop.
Use your personal strengths to stand out.
Ayala Ossowski’s story is a reminder that in a tough job market, it’s not just about the qualifications, but about being memorable and taking calculated risks.
Author: Evan Null
