Employee Spotlight | Meet APM Communications Specialist, Carisma Spears!
This month’s #EmployeeSpotlight features APM Communications Specialist, Carisma Spears! Carisma has been with the company since March of 2022, and has contributed to countless critical projects. If you have ever found yourself reading a blog from the Communications Team, there’s a good chance that she wrote it! Please join us commemorating Carisma by learning more about her below.
What are some roles you have at work, and outside of work? (ex. Superintendent, parent, board member, etc.)
At work: Intern, Good Neighbor Project Committee Member
Outside of work: Honors Student, Mentee, UH MISSO Member
What is your official job title with APM?
APM Communications Intern
What led you to this industry and how did you first learn about APM?
I was a senior in high school when my Money Matters (business elective class) teacher received an email about the job opening. She liked the work ethic of me and one other student, so she pulled us both aside to tell us about the position. I was thinking about what to do for a summer job without going into retail, and this seemed like the perfect position to work and learn in a corporate setting for my 1st job. So … I took a leap of faith and applied and got the position!
When did you begin working with APM and how many years have you been working with APM?
I began March of 2022 and continued to reapply for this role. So, I’ve been with APM for ~3.5 years.
What’s one thing that surprised you about working with APM?
The focus on people – their safety and wellbeing both on the field and in the corporate setting. The emphasis of CBS as a corporate employee took me by surprise, but I slowly grew to appreciate the concern for people as individuals and the accountability it encouraged. Looking back, this tool helped me mature my mindset towards safety and goal setting just by creating a space for discussion among my team. Now, I look forward to sharing my weekly CBS commitments with my team, learning from their experiences, and supporting their goals!
What is a typical workday for you?
The focus of my workday changes with our outage seasons and requests made to the Comms Team, but I spend a lot of my time drafting and publishing job success stories and employee recognition pieces, coordinating events and volunteer opportunities, updating and fixing our distribution lists, and working on data projects.
What energizes you at work?
Hearing positive feedback on my work, feeling the confidence others have in my abilities, and having my efforts recognized on a difficult task/project all energize me. Even constructive feedback fuels me when I think of how having something concrete to improve upon will set me up for future success.
What do you find the most challenging in your role?
Balancing expectations on tasks that are high priority items in my function but may be additional work for others with different roles.
What do you like most about working with APM?
Definitely the people! I’ve been blessed with an awesome team who helped me along my career journey from the transition into working my first job to challenging me to develop my skills and knowledge as I grew in my role. The overall culture of collaboration and concern for people as individuals made me excited to connect and collaborate with other teams as well.
How has APM helped you in your career development?
Building my skills and exposure by working on different projects cross-departmentally. My leader helped tailor my internship experience to my interests, and I’ve been able to experiment with different technology/data focused projects within my role.
What courses, certifications, or programs did you complete?
Microsoft Office Suite certifications
What is your proudest moment with APM?
Most recently, it would be the Safety Quality Culture Training events. Although these events took a lot of work to plan, prepare, and execute, I was able to see my growth in skills compared to the previous training events. Having the confidence from my team to manage photography and social media comms solo definitely helped as well. I’m also proud to be chosen for this Employee Spotlight!
Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?
My mom showed me what true work ethic and sacrifice meant and what it takes to be the person everyone leans on when things get tough.
My manager, Katie Maldonado, has inspired my leadership style by demonstrating how to be a fair and compassionate leader.
How do you prefer to spend your days off?
I love reading and movies, going to concerts, hanging out with friends and family, and getting in a good run/workout. Some hobbies I would like to get back into are traveling, baking, trying new foods, and painting.
How do you balance your career at APM and family?
I feel empowered to find a blend between my work and personal life instead of sacrificing one for the other. Although there are times when my time, attention, and energy is demanded by one more strongly, having the support from my family and team at work makes it easier to find this balance.
What advice do you have for prospective APM candidates?
You determine how valuable your time is. Make the most of your time in any role by seeking opportunities to grow rather than waiting for them to come to you. Asking questions and taking a risk to try something new take courage but are worth it.
What is a non-work-related accomplishment that you’re proud of?
Committing to my fitness goals and a healthier lifestyle. Since seriously starting my fitness journey last year, I’ve lost around 50lbs, gotten stronger, and incorporated a focus on health and wellness in various aspects of life.
Favorite quote?
“You get to choose between the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.”
and
“You’re not responsible for your beginning but you are responsible for your becoming.”
Motto or personal mantra?
“Don’t wait for the perfect moment, enjoy every moment of everyday or else life will pass you by”
People would be surprised if they knew
I attended my first concert in May of last year and was hooked. Since then, I’ve been to 6 with another coming up.
How do you define success?
Endurance, mental fortitude, and a focus on growth instead of perfection.
Top three life highlights?
1. Graduating high school ranked 8th in my class of 700+
2. Being the first generation in my family working towards a college degree (almost there!)
3. Starting off my lifelong dream to travel. I haven’t travelled the world (yet), but I’ve finally been outside of Texas, seeing mountains for the first time in Denver and real snow in Wisconsin.
What does true leadership mean to you?
Being the person others can rely on and turn to when they need support. Leadership is about inspiring and empowering change beyond what you can do on your own.
