Jessica Lathan: Adapting for the Unprecedented - A People-Based Approach

I finished my undergraduate degree in Sociology virtually due to COVID-19 and landed at Northern Trust Corporation in September 2020 as a Customer Success Associate within the wider Northern Trust Asset Management team.

Now almost two and a half years and three roles later, I have learned to truly embrace change, discovered why making connections is crucial for success, and realized how prioritization helps me bring my best self to both inside and outside the office.

In my current role, I serve as a Content Specialist on the RFP team. Responsibilities include managing and sourcing content for the database we leverage to house responses for Requests for Proposals and Due Diligence Questionnaires.

Adapting for the Unprecedented

Change used to be something that while exciting, was hard for me to accept, so beginning my career fully remote was daunting. But I knew I wasn’t alone in this regard!

I had to learn how to be proactive, ask questions, and connect with people despite not knowing anyone outside of my direct team members.

I’ve made sure to network and learn from some of the best people and most experienced people across different areas of the firm. I like to see how differing personalities can come together to create something great. In my work and my life, I take a people-based approach and focus on finding avenues to relate to many different people and experiences.

I believe that I bring a unique perspective to my team and the wider company. As a younger partner, it’s empowering when I’m asked to help deliver quality service to our clients and internal stakeholders. It’s validating to know my team values my knowledge. I’m truly able to make an impact in my role here.

Little Things, Big Impact

It's unique how much people care here. People at Northern Trust carve out time to learn about you outside of your work and care about you outside of your title. Not to mention the employee led Black Business Resource Council (BBRC), which has opened doors for me professionally and made me feel extremely supported.

I think underrepresented groups in the workplace oftentimes enter the office already feeling out of place. For me, the little things like inviting partners to lunch, catching up in the hallway, and asking me about my life outside of work, are truly important for an inclusive culture.

It's unique how much people care here. People at Northern Trust carve out time to learn about you outside of your work and care about you outside of your title.

Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize

Implementing healthy boundaries in my life is something I am still working on. I struggle with saying ‘no’ and recognizing when I am reaching my maximum capacity. What I try to do is recognize what my priorities are.

My family, working out, walking my dog (Tank, pictured above), and assisting my friends where I can, are just as important as my work.

I am passionate about introducing young people to sports. Sports helped me to learn how to connect with people of different backgrounds, served as an outlet of expression, and opened a lot of new doors for me in my life so far. As a former collegiate volleyball player, any opportunity I get to introduce someone to the sport is very special and meaningful to me.

FAST FACTS

Current position: Content Manager, RFP Team Institutional Marketing Channel

Years at Northern Trust: 2 years 4 months

Role in BBRC: Co-chair of Communications

Hometown / where you live now: Chicago

Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Bulls

Favorite food: Tacos

What are you reading: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Best piece of advice I ever received (career or otherwise): “He/She who fails to plan, plans to fail.” (My dad always used to say this to me when I was younger. Although there are some situations you truly cannot plan for, it’s also about formulating a new plan after enduring unforeseen circumstances. Rethinking how you will move forward, and carving out a new game plan).

Jess Lathan is a Content Specialist in Northern Trust’s Marketing Support business unit and a hybrid employee, working both in-office and remotely.

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