Hester Buell (SHE/HER)

What do you like about your job?

I love being able to see young people grow in their confidence and their ability to handle difficult situations with maturity.

Where did you work before YJC?

Before YJC I worked as a Prevention Specialist in Aurora, speaking to middle schoolers about drugs (which is just as awkward as it sounds) and implementing community education on drug prevention.

What was your first job?

My first job was selling bouquets in a flower shop.

What did you learn from your first job?

My first job taught me how to be part of a team. I found out that when you’re on a team, it’s easy to make things about yourself—how valuable your ideas are, or how hard you’re working. But I learned that truly successful teamwork means focusing on outcomes – “How can we best help the people we’re serving?” – and how we can do that together.

Has your career path gone how you expected?

I was never really savvy enough to have expectations for my career path. It wasn’t until the end of my time at college, when I desperately sought advice from my career counselor, that I realized – ironically enough – that career counseling was exactly what I wanted to do. And here I am!

Fun Fact:

Everyone who reads my name before meeting me assumes that I am a man. So that has led to some very awkward encounters.