As a Talent Partner for inTulsa, Victoria draws on her years of expertise in customer service, her love of helping people achieve their goals and dreams, her positivity, and her attention to detail to excel in her role on the inTulsa team.
Where did you start your career?
I started in the travel agent industry, first in customer service and then as a Travel Advisor. I worked in travel for 15 years, and I truly loved what I was doing—being able to help people plan vacations all around the world. People have dreams of what they expect when they travel somewhere new, and being able to curate that for them was really special. I loved building relationships with my travel clients, honing in on what was important to them, finding what they wanted and helping them in the best way I could.
How did you land in your current role?
Though I loved the travel industry, at the same time, I was ready for a change. It was 2019, and I was seeing all these positive changes in Tulsa and I wanted to be a part of it. I got lucky and got plugged into Tulsa Regional Tourism, but then things shifted and I found myself in a job search in the midst of the pandemic. It was frustrating and a bit scary, but it gave me the courage to see what’s out there and be a part of something different. I really evaluated what I wanted to do.
So, I went back to school, focusing on human resources, because I realized I wanted to help people who are navigating their job search and looking for a new career. I started watching what was going on with inTulsa, and when the opportunity came to join inTulsa, I jumped on it.
What’s involved in the operational support you provide to the inTulsa team and candidates?
My role has evolved. But at its heart, I help people—that’s my job. My main role is to handle the intake of candidates to our talent network. I work with people who are referred to InTulsa or who sign up for our talent network or come through a variety of other programs we have in place. I’m their first contact—learning where they’re coming from, where they want to go, their goals and dreams, and helping them find the resources they need. Even if I can’t connect a person with a job, I aim to be a help for them, providing resources, or letting them know about local workforce programs that might be helpful to them.
What gets you excited to go to work in the morning?
Just being able to help people! At inTulsa, we’re part of that bigger picture of what is happening in Tulsa, making a positive difference in our community—and connecting people to new and exciting opportunities with the goal of making Tulsa a more vibrant and inclusive city is really fulfilling. That’s the big thing that gets me excited about work. And it’s the same for all our team. We all feel this.
What advice do you have to help candidates be successful in working with you and the team?
I usually start by having a phone conversation with a new candidate to learn more about their work experience, as well as what they are looking for in their new career and what is important to them. Depending on where they are in their career, we'll determine next steps. If I can connect them with a Talent Partner on my team for a specific job that they'd be a great fit for, we'll start there. I also may send job board recommendations, local workforce programs, or information to help them with their resume, LinkedIn profile, or interview skills. No matter what the situation, I want to be a resource and also a cheerleader!
From my perspective of pivoting careers, I have a soft spot for people in that position. It's tough. But remember that you have garnered transferable skills over the years so it's important to highlight that on your resume and on your LinkedIn profile.
What do you love most about Tulsa?
This is a great time to be in Tulsa—I love being here. The city has changed so much over the years. I love the new energy of change and innovation that’s happening here right now. There is a vibrant art and music scene, fun festivals, beautiful parks, and tons of great restaurants. There’s something for everyone!
Do you have any favorite places that you recommend people new to Tulsa should check out?
I'd definitely recommend the Philbrook Museum; it's one of my favorites in every season. I also recommend heading to the Gathering Place for a beautiful stroll or some family fun, enjoying a game at the Drillers Stadium, and checking out Greenwood Rising, which is really powerful. For a coffee and a delicious treat, Antoinette's or CHOCS (Coffee House on Cherry Street) never disappoint. Truly, there’s something great for everyone whether you're new to Tulsa or have lived here your whole life.
I live in Broken Arrow, but I love that I’m just 15-20 minutes from everything. Tulsa is such an easy city to get around. It’s so easy to get involved in anything you want to do.
What books and music are you enjoying right now that you’d recommend to others?
I love to read. I’ve been an avid reader since I was a kid but it’s hard to have time, so I use Audible. I have recently listened to The Girl with the Louding Voice, The Midnight Library, and An Unkindness of Ghosts which I thought were all great for different reasons and I definitely recommend them all. I also love the Tiny Desk concerts on NPR - it’s such a great way to explore and enjoy new music and old favorites too.
