WorkMomSays that transforming seemingly temporary roles into fulfilling careers requires adaptability and a proactive approach. In this episode, Lori Jo Vest chats with Kyle Elsasser, who shares his journey from taking a bridge job out of necessity to creating a thriving career path. Themes discussed in this episode Adapting to bridge jobs and finding growth opportunities Navigating post-college career challenges in a pandemic world Importance of customer experience in career advancement Embracing commission-based roles Addressing workplace challenges with empathy Episode Highlights Timestamped inflection points from the show 00:50 – Guest introduction: Kyle Elsasser shares his journey from a pandemic graduate to a flourishing career in the automotive industry. 03:01 – From entry-level to expertise: Kyle discusses the transition from an express lane service advisor to his current role. 04:59 – Finding the value in seemingly temporary roles: How Kyle transformed his ‘bridge job’ into a fulfilling career. 22:55 – Handling conflict with customers: Building empathy and tackling problems collaboratively. 28:59 – Advice for recent graduates and early career professionals: Making the most of your current job while seeking new opportunities. Top Quotes 5:38 – “I decided I wasn’t just going to use it as something to do for a few months. I decided I actually might as well do something with it.” 15:47 – “Being yourself at the office is different than being your best self at the office.” 17:09 – “…when you’re being paid to work, it’s not just your performance in your job, it’s not just your work product that is the- should be the result of that. It should also be your work persona.” 30:21 – “Even if it’s really hellish, focus on what you’re learning. When you start to get antsy, look back. Are you still learning?” Links Connect with me on LinkedIn. Order my book! Transcript 00:12 LORI: Hello, I’m Lori Jo Vest. Thank you so much for joining me for this episode of Work Mom Says “Don’t Be an Idiot!” Today we’re going to talk about making the best of where you are. There are times when you’re in a position that you didn’t really expect to have to take. You may have a job that is less than you feel you deserve. You may feel that you are too experienced for your job or should be making more money. All kinds of things can happen. However, sometimes you have to stick with that job that you’re not so happy with for a little bit longer than you’d like. So our guest today is Kyle Elsasser. Say hi, Kyle. KYLE: Hello. 00:57 LORI: A 26 year old University of Michigan grad. He graduated in 2020 during the pandemic and things were extremely difficult and the place that he thought he was going to go right after college, that position evaporated. So he ended up taking what I would call a bridge job, meaning you take that job while you wait for something bigger and better to come along. Right, Kyle? KYLE: Yeah, that was the plan. LORI: Tell us about what happened when you first graduated. KYLE: I had an internship with Mopar. I had a whole- everything lined up, you know, getting an interview set up for the second, third week of March of 2020. That was quote unquote, a formality to go move out of state and start a new job as a district manager. Covid happened, said, oh, we’ll just wait a few weeks, we’ll wait a couple months. And here we are, five years later. LORI: Yea, no kidding. So what was your first position? What did you find out there and how did you find it? KYLE: Well, again it was- I was originally intending to go work for Mopar, which is the service and parts division of FCA or Stellantis Chrysler. Ended up taking a job as an express lane service advisor at a Chrysler dealer that my uncle was the general ma