In our member spotlight, Tracy Taylor-Sea, CPSM, recently sat down for a virtual chat with SMPS. Tracy, who’s strategic proposal group manager for Stanley Consultants, shares her most meaningful project and how SMPS has helped her career.
Is there any recent news you’d like to share? I joined a new firm (Stanley Consultants).
How has SMPS helped you in your career? SMPS has been instrumental in my career advancement, providing me with invaluable resources and networking opportunities that have propelled my professional growth.
Is there a helpful hint to share with your fellow SMPS members? I enjoy reading the Marketer (SMPS all the way!) and Harvard Business Review. I also encourage my team members to share what they are learning within the industry. I love learning from my team just as much as sharing with them.
Could you tell us something we would be surprised to learn about you? I am a breast cancer survivor.
What did you do at work yesterday? I helped refine a client deliverable that’s going to be shared with members of the United States Congress. In the same day, I assisted with onboarding a new team member. Later in the day, I started refining our proposal development process.
As a CPSM, how has certification benefitted you? Earning my CPSM has broadened my approach to challenges, encouraging innovative thinking and a more strategic perspective. Additionally, the community within SMPS has taught me the importance of collaboration, allowing me to lean on and learn from others with specialized skill sets, which has reinforced that I do not need to know everything myself to succeed.
Why did you decide to take the CPSM test? My former boss influenced me to study and take the CPSM test to help me elevate my thinking and build my professional network.
Now that you have your CPSM designation, what would you say has changed, if anything, with your career or professional network? I am able to cast a wider net and “geek out” with fellow SMPS colleagues that share the same passion I do.
What are a few words of wisdom to those thinking about becoming a CPSM? Join a SMPS study group, block out at least seven hours a week to dedicate to yourself to read, do flashcards and discuss with others what you’re learning.
What’s the best advice you’ve received regarding your career or working in A/E/C? Carrying the weight of all knowledge is unnecessary. Be empowered to ask questions and learn from others who possess the strengths that you may not have.
What has been one of your most meaningful work projects? The most meaningful projects revolve around elevating and supporting my team. We appreciate the strengths that each of us provides on special projects and proposals. It’s fun to develop great things together that make a difference for the clients we serve.
What’s on your bucket list? In 2025, I want to travel to Scotland and Ireland to celebrate my birthday. I want to immerse myself in the sights, sounds, and flavors of my ancestral homelands.
