About Vicki White
In our member spotlight, Vicki White, regional business development associate at Pennoni and a past-president of SMPS Washington, DC, took time out of her busy schedule to chat with the Society. She shared the challenges and rewards of her job and filled us in on her favorite pastime.
What is a typical day like for you? Continual client outreach both internal and external. I have things coming at me from every direction and deciding which direction to go at any given moment is a constant juggling act.
What are the challenges and rewards of the job? The challenge in BD is not always getting immediate satisfaction or success from your actions. Sometimes our BD lifecycle can take a while. My rewards center around the people I work, interact, and do business with. BD is ultimately about the person-to-person experience.
What has been your most meaningful project so far in your career? Not sure I can tie my success down to a single project. I think it’s more tied to the multitude of people that I’ve connected with.
Why is membership in SMPS important to you? How has it helped your firm? SMPS membership is important because it provides a steady connection point to the A/E/C industries. Interacting with your peers, be they partners or competitors, always provides benefits to myself and my firm.
What’s the best career advice you’ve received? Always make yourself available to your peers either as a resource or a mentor. Volunteer your time because by doing so, you elevate not only yourself, but those around you and the next generation below you.
What was your childhood dream job? I wanted to be a rock star. What kid doesn’t? Problem is, I can’t sing to save my life.
Guilty Pleasure: What can you not live without? Cheese. I know, sounds strange, but I just love cheese! Oh and shoes.
