On November 9, OCU alumn Seth Norcott spoke to students on a Zoom video call for a Lessons in Leadership event. The event was sponsored by the OCU offices of Student Affairs and Alumni Engagement. Norcott works for Nike as a Technology Audit Manager in Portland, Oregon. He has conducted audits externally, internally, and operationally for global companies. His resume includes skills in Risk Advisory, IT General Controls, Information Security, Data Protection, Control Framework Assessments, Cyber Assurance, and Access Management.
The Lessons in Leadership series allows OCU alumni to guide current students by answering the question: “What is the most valuable lesson you have learned as a leader?” Norcott’s presentation answered this by offering advice he learned through his personal experiences.
After graduating in 2014 with a B.S. in Information Technology from the Meinder’s School of Business, Norcott took his first professional job with Farmer’s Insurance, working with their IT Help Desk. Norcott said that one reason he was able to secure this position was his experience working in the restaurant industry. Norcott explained working at the Help Desk required customer service skills. By promoting his experiences in fields that dealt extensively with customers, he was able to secure the job at Farmer’s Insurance.
However, Norcott said this first professional role paid a lower salary than he had made working in the restaurant industry, which caused some discomfort. This personal story led into Norcott’s first piece of advice.
“Don’t be concerned about your salary when you’re first exiting school. Your first job is about gaining experience,” Norcott said.
Norcott’s next job was with the Zurich Insurance Group, where he worked with the IT security team. From there, he applied to a larger accounting firm, where he gained the experience and reputability to be hired by a national company.
In following this career path, Norcott was faced with the challenge of moving with his wife to Portland, OR. Though the move was intimidating, Norcott said he embraced the change.
“Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks,” Norcott said. “Get comfortable being uncomfortable.”
Despite Norcott’s optimism, he said that he dealt with imposter syndrome at the beginning of his career. According to Norcott, he responded to those feelings by pushing himself to grow and adapt to challenges.
“I had to remind myself that I did belong there,” Norcott said. “I may not have known certain skills at this time, but they’re something I’m learning. I am as good as everyone else.”
Norcott also stressed the importance of building one’s personal brand, which he defined as the attitude one has at work, and the reputation this creates for them in professional settings. Norcott encouraged everyone to always maintain a positive and energetic attitude at work, because employers and peers take note of these things.
“Attitude is everything,” Norcott said. “Fundamentals like these will set you up for success, regardless of role.”
Norcott advised students to utilize OCU career services for help in building a resume that promotes one’s soft skills, and to develop a Linkedin account for career connections.
Norcott learning all he can at work along with finding new ways to challenge himself has made him a better worker in the IT security and auditing field. His advice to current students reflected what benefited him in his own path and can be applied in any field of work or leadership.
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