FEATURE: Career Case Study
Smart Steps for Success: A Career Case Study Elaine White knows a thing or two about professional advancement. In her 27-year career at YRC Freight, she has held a variety of positions in both operations and sales, including Sales Account Executive, Terminal Manager, Sales Development Manager and Area Sales Manager. Today, she serves as Regional Sales Manager for North Carolina and Virginia.” White began her career journey as a Military Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army. After serving in Operation Desert Storm, she began exploring opportunities to transfer her skills to a civilian organization. When she met with YRC Freight at a job fair, she knew the company would be a good fit.
22 REDEFINING THE ROAD Edition 1 | 2020
Elaine White accepts the President’s Award, YRC’s highest recognition. I realized that I could learn from everyone in the organization, my leadership skills really took off.” In each subsequent position, White has continued to acquire valuable skills that have helped her to advance in the company. For additional support, she takes advantage of YRC’s curriculum for those in leadership and training opportunities designed to help employees progress to the next level. She also credits YRC’s clear career pathway and the support of leaders in the organization for her professional development.
Upon completing YRC’s management trainee program, White became a Dock Supervisor.
“I am amazed by the number of people who have wanted to invest in me and helped me determine a roadmap for the next steps I needed to take,” she says.
“It was the best learning opportunity I ever had,” she says. “I learned from those who did things very well and from those who did not. When
Throughout her career, White also has made it a point to proactively communicate her career goals and create opportunities for herself.
