Meet Paige Funk, Marketing Director for Nerd Street Gamers / esports.
What’s the best piece of career advice ever given to you? The best career advice I ever received was from the book "The Art of Possibility" by symphony conductor Benjamin Zander. Rule Number Six: Don't Take Yourself So Seriously. I highly recommend everyone read this book and focus on practicing Rule Number Six - it means something a little bit different to everyone and that's the magic behind it. I even kept a small Post-it on my work monitor that said "Rule #6 " for times when I would get too caught up in myself and the chaos of the day.
How do you define success? This is a really tough question. Growing up as an athlete, success was always measured by a tangible accomplishment - winning. Entering "adulthood" means coming up with your own definitions of success and holding yourself accountable to it. Success for me is divided across multiple categories including work, loved ones, and my own definitions of the person I want to be. I am successful if I am valued at work, am a positive and impactful leader for those around me, am present when spending time with my family and loved ones, and I give back to the world. I know that last one is vague, but it is supposed to be.
Giving back doesn't have to monetary, it can be picking up trash when you walk by it on the street, making another feel good about themselves during a tough time, or really anything that leaves a situation more positive than when you found it. Don't forget to compliment and congratulate yourself when you reach your own markers of successes - as we get older, it is hard to rely on validation from others.
Giving back doesn't have to monetary, it can be picking up trash when you walk by it on the street, making another feel good about themselves during a tough time, or really anything that leaves a situation more positive than when you found it.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career to date? The biggest lesson I've learned in my career to date is that everything is fluid. Prove yourself and work hard during the weeks when you're clocking 60+ hours, but don't be ashamed to take a deep breath and enjoy life when work slows down. The hard times will pass, but make sure you consciously learn from them. The good times will also pass, so make sure you fully take in the moments of praise and celebrations. Throughout all of the ups and downs in your professional life and career, I always find that being kind to others, and being consistent in your reliability and work ethic will always lead to positive results.
Where’s your favorite place to recharge or network in Philly? I recharge in Philadelphia by rowing on the Schuylkill River. I am a member at one of the boathouses on Boathouse Row, and sometimes participate in their morning workouts. They start at 5:30am, which absolutely sucks for lack of better terms. But being awake before the city, seeing the sun rise over the skyline, and being surrounded by only the sound of our boat moving through the water is absolutely extraordinary. I've been a rower since about the age of 5, and the magic of being on water never subsides. What’s an accomplishment you’re most proud of? Recently, I took part in my first professional panel. I am a fairly confident and outgoing person, but for some reason I had not been able to get through my fear of public speaking. It was such a minor barrier to breakthrough, but I have not been that proud of myself in a very long time. I've been fortunate enough throughout my life to win major athletic competitions, receive awards for scholastics and sports, promotions, and more, but sitting on a couch speaking into a microphone in front of strangers was a major accomplishment for me, and I am beyond proud of myself for getting through it.
(...and P.S., we're all proud of you too!)
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