Finding the Balance with Kaitlyn Ross: Her Experience with Full-Time School and Full-Time Work

Making the leap from a college career to a professional one is exciting – and honestly, a little intimidating. But Kaitlyn Ross proves that it’s possible to pursue both school and work full-time and succeed at both.

Kaitlyn Ross joined Talos in September 2017 as a temp on the scheduling team. At the time, she was also a full-time college student. Reflecting on the challenge of balancing she said: “It was a challenge! There were plenty of late nights and moments when I felt like giving up. But it’s possible, and so worth it in the end. I want anyone who’s considering it to know, you can do it.”

Finding Balance Through Support

Balancing work and school can be a difficult thing, and while it isn’t impossible it is always nice to have some support along the way. “Talos was incredibly supportive throughout my journey. They were flexible with my schedule, and my coworkers were always cheering me on (even when I was venting about tough classes!) Their encouragement made all the difference, and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

 Balancing work and school aren’t easy, but a strong support system can make all the difference. Kaitlyn credits her Talos team for helping her along the way. “It meant the world to me. I never thought I’d go back to school, but working at Talos changed my perspective. The support I received gave me the motivation to set goals and stick to them. Having the company invest in my education made it even more meaningful.”

From Temp to Inventory to Finance

Kaitlyn’s career path at Talos has evolved significantly. After starting on the scheduling team, she moved to Inventory and eventually found her home in Finance.

 “It was something totally new for me. I didn’t have any experience in this type of work when I started. But I was eager to learn, and I found that I really enjoyed it. The curiosity and opportunity to grow are what’s kept me here all these years.”

Growth and Lessons Learned

In her eight years with Talos, Kaitlyn has seen a lot of change – both in herself and her career.

“It’s changed a lot! I started as an Accounts Receivable Clerk, and over time I’ve grown into my role as Project Controller. If you had asked me back then, I never would have imagined I’d be where I am today.”

She also shared a piece of wisdom from her journey:

 “Mistakes will happen and that’s okay. What matters is learning from them and continuing to move forward. That mindset has helped me grow both personally and professionally.”

Future Growth and Final Thoughts

“I’m most excited about the continued opportunities to grow. Talos is the kind of company that truly supports your success, and they give you the tools and encouragement to reach your goals.”

At Talos, supporting employee growth is more than a philosophy – it’s a practice. Kaitlyn’s story is a powerful example of what happens when talent meets opportunity and when a company invests in both.