Finding career inspiration at home

People choose careers for many reasons -- based on their own talents and personalities, or because of  a life-changing experience or a favorite teacher, book or TV show. And for some, career inspiration begins at home.

Mary Ellen and Alex Garrett

Carpooling to school, Alex Garrett and his siblings were often shushed when their mom was on the phone with a client. If asked what his mom did, he learned to say, “She manages people’s money so they can retire comfortably.”

Mary Ellen Garrett is a senior vice president of investments for Merrill Lynch. “Managing people’s money is a very serious business. We work for other people and we give first without expecting anything in return. We live that in our household.” The Garrett children learned about fiscal responsibility, work ethics and community service at home.

“One of the first things I picked up on was the service aspect of Mom’s job,” Alex said. “I saw how she cared about people and put them at ease.”

After graduating from Vanderbilt University with a double major in economics and human and organizational development, Alex went to work in Merrill Lynch’s Global Corporate and Institutional Advisory Services team. It allowed him to pursue his interest in nonprofit organizations and the stock market.

While they don’t work together, they occasionally meet for coffee, shop talk and advice. “He’s learning a different and unique skill set, and I love it when colleagues tell me how well he’s doing,” she said.

Working in the same field has brought them closer together professionally and personally. She has offered his friends career advice and networking support. “I always knew that she was special and respected and working here confirmed that,” Alex said. “The job is tough, but I love it. I’m still learning the ropes, and trying to figure out what I want to do, but I’m plugged in and getting involved. Whatever you do, you give 100 percent—that’s what my mom and dad taught me.”

Donna and Ashley Vann

No one in Donna Vann’s family had been a nurse, but when her son was born with a chromosome disorder, Vann saw the impact health care workers could have on people’s lives. The mother of five enrolled at Clayton State University and graduated with her nursing degree in 1995. She works in the cardiac step-down unit at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

“What I tell my kids is that a career can’t just be about the money. With my job, I know that I’ve accomplished something when I leave work each day,” Donna said.

When she was a teenager, Ashley Vann visited her mom at work. “I was so in awe of her. I saw how hard she worked at home, but then she’d go to work and give 110 percent,” she said.

Good at science and math, Ashley knew that she wanted to serve people and work with kids when she grew up. In college, nursing seemed a good fit. “Nursing school was so much harder than I thought it would be. My mom finished in four years when my sister was a baby. I don’t know how she did it,” Ashley said.

Ashley earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2006, and she works in the pediatric intensive care unit at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. “We take care of the sickest of the sickest kids, but seeing them get better, and then come back and visit us when they are even better, is what I love best about this job,” Ashley said.

She’s discovered that nursing can take an emotional toll. “When I’ve had a really bad night, it’s so nice to come home and have Mom there. I might be crying, but I don’t have to say anything. No one understands like she does,” Ashley said. “It’s definitely brought us closer together. I understand her so much better and have a greater appreciation of who she is.”

Dean and Chandler Alford

Dean Alford’s father worked at Georgia Power for 40 years as a cable splicer and had great respect for the engineers in the company. “That had an impact on me. I went to Georgia Tech to become an electrical engineer. I knew I wanted to work in the energy field. Energy changes the world and continues to evolve,” said Dean Alford, president and CEO of Allied Energy Services. He also served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1983-1993, and chaired the energy subcommittee.

“As I kid I thought my dad went to meetings and asked for money," said Dean's son Chandler. "To this day, I don’t know exactly all that Dad does, but watching him in action is very cool. I’ve seen him disarm heated situations and educate people.”

Chandler graduated from Georgia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2009. “I knew that energy was the route I wanted to go, because there is plenty of opportunity. Everyone wants electricity, but we need to make it greener and more efficient.”

Chandler worked for his father’s company as an engineer/developer with duties ranging from attending legislative meetings to sales. “I wanted him to wear a lot of different hats and be exposed to different parts of the industry. He’s got great people skills,” Dean said.

At present, Chandler is back at Georgia Tech pursuing a graduate degree in mechanical engineering. He also competes with the US Olympic weightlifting team.

“At age 8 or 9, Chandler was an accomplished pianist, and played for weddings," Dean said. "I thought that would be his career. Then he took up weightlifting in high school. What’s exciting is watching him find his passions. My daughter Jackie is a sports management major at Kennesaw State University, and I’m just as proud that she’s pursuing her career passion.”