In any career, growth doesn鈥檛 always follow a straight line. That鈥檚 exactly the idea behind Beyond the Ladder, a new professional development lunch-and-learn series designed for 海角禁区 College of Medicine staff.
Launched by the Staff Well-Being Committee in partnership with the Office of Organizational Well-Being, the series highlights nontraditional career journeys, showing how pivots, setbacks, and unexpected opportunities can lead to fulfilling new paths.
The first session featured Carrie Hobbs, MSN, RN, CCRP, a clinical research manager in the department of pediatrics. Hobbs began her career as a NICU nurse before transitioning into a research role.
Q: What drew you to nursing and clinical research initially? Was that always your plan, or did something shift?
A: I decided pretty early on that I wanted to be a nurse. I love being around babies, and the plan was to be a labor and delivery nurse. But after just one day of shadowing in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) during my pediatrics rotation in nursing school, I knew that鈥檚 where I was meant to be. I absolutely loved being a NICU nurse and served families there for more than six years. NICU nurses, providers, and families are some of the most resilient, compassionate, brave, and brilliant people I know. They shaped me into the nurse I am today, and the NICU will always be my 鈥渇irst love.鈥
But I found a new home in pediatric research. This group is so inspiring 鈥 they dream big, work hard, and power through like a well-oiled machine. I鈥檝e learned new skills and expanded how I use my experiences for a different approach. It鈥檚 rewarding to contribute to the process of discovering evidence-based practices and treatments. Many of the medicines and therapies we used in NICU were developed within my lifetime through research, and now they鈥檙e standard practice. That鈥檚 pretty cool to be a part of.
Q: The Beyond the Ladder series highlights nontraditional paths. What would you say was your biggest career pivot, and how did it come about?
A: The shift for me came when I became a mom. It became increasingly difficult to carry the emotional weight of caring for NICU families and to be away from my own during long shifts. I made the choice to leave bedside care and explore a role as a research nurse. I鈥檝e now been in research longer than I was in the NICU. Along the way, I went back to school for my master鈥檚 in nurse administration and now serve as a manager for our small but mighty group of research staff in pediatrics.
Q: Who were some of the key people who influenced your career decisions, either as mentors or role models?
A: My mom is my rock 鈥 she was the motivation and strength that got me to 海角禁区 for college and gave me the courage to spread my wings.
Two other women stand out: Rita Dunn and Vicki Whitehead. Rita was the nurse manager when I worked as a nursing care tech in Pre-Op during undergrad, and Vicki hired me into my first research position and later nudged me into the management role I hold now. Both inspired me through their ability to lead by example. They are kind, approachable, and respected by all 鈥 the brain, heart, and soul of their workplaces. That鈥檚 the kind of leader I want to be.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who feels unsure about their current path or hesitant to step off the traditional 鈥渓adder鈥?
A: Be your own advocate and stay open-minded. Don鈥檛 get too discouraged if a door closes. Try again.
I didn鈥檛 get selected for a position I thought I really wanted right before the research opportunity opened up. I was bummed at the time. Research had never been on my radar and was actually my least favorite part of nursing school. But I approached the opportunity with an open mind, and it turned out to be the step I didn鈥檛 know I needed.
Q: What are you most proud of in your career journey so far?
A: I鈥檓 proud of my ability to adapt. Change isn鈥檛 always easy, but I鈥檓 not afraid to put in the hard work or face uncomfortable moments if it means moving in the right direction. I鈥檓 proud of my resilience and work ethic, but mostly I鈥檓 proud of the friends and relationships I鈥檝e built along the way. Staying positive and present, even when the path takes twists and turns, is something I value deeply.
Q: Is there anything else you鈥檇 like to share?
A: I鈥檓 grateful for every opportunity 海角禁区 has provided me. I just received notice of my 15-year anniversary here, and 海角禁区 has been all I鈥檝e known outside of my small hometown in Western Kentucky. I鈥檓 forever thankful for the people who have poured into me along the way. It鈥檚 a joy to work with and learn from such wonderful colleagues every day, and I鈥檓 excited to see where this journey leads next.