Take 5 with Allison McWilliams

Allison McWilliams

Assistant Vice President of Mentoring and Alumni Personal & Career Development at Wake Forest University

1. How do you define success for yourself? What has helped you to be successful?

My definition of success has definitely changed over the course of my career. When I was just starting out, I think I felt like I needed to do something big or impressive. But as I’ve gotten older (and wiser!) I’ve learned that success for me means two things. One, living a life of intention and purpose. And, two, living a life that aligns with my values. If I stay true to those two things, I know that I am both happy and successful. Like I said, this has come with age and experience, but I’ve also had the benefit of a lot of great mentors who have spoken into my life and my choices along the way, and who have taught me these things both with their words and their actions.

2. Think of a time that you faced a challenge, obstacle, or roadblock. How did you get through that and what did you learn?

I can think of very few obstacles in my life that weren’t self-inflicted. I either held myself back from an opportunity or didn’t raise my hand or convinced myself that I couldn’t do something or didn’t deserve to be there. Classic impostor syndrome. And, over time, I’ve learned to not hold back, to raise my hand, to pull up a seat and remind myself that I have earned my spot. Every time that I have done that, it’s taught me lessons that I can apply to the next situation. This is the great value of experience. And, now that I’m in a position of power, I work really hard to pull other people, especially women, along and up with me. Not only that, but to talk to them about why and how they should do these things. There is always room for another seat at the table.

3. Who are your people (either by name or role) who help you to be successful/confident/intentional/reflective/any other descriptor you want to use? And how have they helped you?

Oh my goodness, SO many people. There is a whole tribe of women who have helped me, for years, understand my value and my worth and that it’s ok to be the “smart girl.” My father has always been my champion and role model for making smart choices and values-driven choices. My team here at Wake – Lauren Beam and Megan Hoyt – push me to be smarter every day, and they remind me of why it’s important to do work that you find fun, otherwise what’s the point? My roommate from Wake Forest, Allison Reid, is my hero for being a rock star professional and wife and mother plus just a super-cool human. There are literally hundreds of Wake Forest alumni who show up in my inbox to tell me about their successes, who remind me why we do this work. Honestly, I could go on about this forever. Nobody can be successful on their own.

4. How did you find your people?

It’s all about relationship-building, and that takes work! You have to show up for and with people, champion their successes, look for ways you can help and support them, seek out feedback and guidance and support along the way. Look for the smart people, the people who are not just holding the title that you want, but upholding the values that you want and the behaviors that you aspire to. Building relationships is a long-term proposition. It doesn’t happen overnight. You have to do the work.

5. What advice would you give to Wake Forest students as they look for their people?

Remember that they’re everywhere! The students in your classes today are going to be leading this country down the road. Go to office hours with your faculty, reach out to staff members, join organizations that push your comfort zone and your boundaries. College is the BEST time to look for people who help you stretch the way you think and view the world. And it’s exactly the right time to practice those skills of relationship-building. Seek out those opportunities. Think critically about who you are and the values you hold dear. Build a life of intention and purpose. You get this one life, and you get to choose how you show up in it, and who you bring along for the ride. Your people are a gift, and should be treated as such.