"No One's Going to Save You": Lessons in Gumption from Christine Harkreader's Career Journey
Setting the Stage
In early November 2025, I sat down with Christine Harkreader for a career-focused interview as part of my English Studies coursework at Kennesaw State University. We spoke about her professional journey, her time in University Information Technology Services (UITS), and the lessons she’s learned along the way. I chose Christine because of her unique perspective: she has navigated both teaching in the English department and leading communications in a technology-driven environment. Her story offers valuable insights for students and professionals exploring careers in communications.
A Career Rooted in KSU
Christine joined UITS in July 2023, bringing with her years of experience at KSU, including teaching part-time in the English department. That background gave her institutional knowledge that proved invaluable in her transition. “There’s so much to learn in UITS,” she explained, “but having that institutional knowledge was helpful.”
Her role in communications required not only technical learning but also the ability to translate complex information into accessible messaging for faculty, staff, and students. This blend of teaching and communications experience positioned her to succeed in a department that delivers essential technology services across campus.
👉Learn more about KSU’s UITS and its role in supporting students and faculty.
Values That Shape Her Work
Christine emphasized that her success wasn’t just about skills—it was about values. She highlighted humility, integrity, and work ethic as non-negotiables in communications roles.
Someone who really wants to do their best work because they want to do their best work.
She explained that doing the bare minimum isn’t enough: “Well, that’s what you were asked. But then you tried to make it as good as it could possibly be.” For Christine, high standards and a willingness to speak up are essential qualities in any professional environment.
Advice for Students and Early Career Professionals
When asked what she wished more students understood about building a career, Christine didn’t hesitate: gumption.
- “No one’s gonna find you and no one’s gonna save you.”
- Take initiative, even when applying for jobs that feel intimidating.
- Apply for positions where you meet most—but not all—requirements. “Apply where you meet 3/4 of the requirements, not all of them,” she advised.
She also stressed the importance of tailoring application materials. As a hiring manager, she noticed when candidates submitted generic cover letters: “Sometimes a couple of people had the exact same cover letter, which tells me they used AI. That’s fine, but make it tailored and make it your own voice.”
Christine’s advice aligns with resources from KSU Career Services, which encourage students to customize résumés and cover letters for each opportunity.
Finally, she underscored the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and tracking personal wins. “I literally have a list of happy things people have said to me,” she shared. “On hard days, I read it to remind myself: I am amazing.”
A Philosophy of Resilience
Christine’s personal philosophy is grounded in optimism and self-trust. She draws inspiration from a book of positive quotations she has kept since 2002. Her favorite mantra is simple yet powerful:
“Everything’s perfect and things always work out for the best.”
She explained that this isn’t about magical thinking—it’s about consistently taking the next best step and trusting the process. “It’s not magic. No one’s going to come save me. But if I keep taking the right step, it’s going to work out.”
👉Explore collections like Positive Quotations for daily inspiration.
What I Learned from the Interview
Conducting this interview taught me more than just Christine’s career story—it revealed the mindset required to thrive in communications. I was struck by her insistence on gumption and initiative. Her advice to apply for jobs where you meet most, but not all, qualifications reframed how I think about career growth.
I also appreciated her honesty about tailoring materials and avoiding generic applications. As someone preparing to enter the workforce, I found her perspective invaluable: authenticity matters more than polished perfection.
Most importantly, Christine’s philosophy of resilience resonated with me. Her practice of tracking wins and reminding herself of her value is something I plan to adopt in my own career journey.
Takeaways for Career Explorers
This assignment challenged me to prepare thoughtful questions, conduct a professional interview, and reflect on the lessons learned. Christine’s story reinforced the importance of initiative, integrity, and resilience in building a career.
For students exploring communications—or any field—the takeaways are clear:
- Have gumption. Take risks and apply for opportunities that stretch you.
- Tailor your materials. Authenticity and personalization stand out.
- Track your wins. Be your own cheerleader when challenges arise.
- Trust the process. As Christine reminds us, “Everything’s perfect and things always work out for the best.”
Her journey is a testament to the power of self-belief and the importance of striving for excellence. For anyone charting their career path, Christine’s words offer both practical guidance and enduring inspiration.
