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Stephanie Lopez

Stephanie Lopez

AIB International

Newport Beach, CA USA

"It may or may not be a good fit, but the only real way to know is to try it."

Career Roadmap

Stephanie's work combines: Food, Education, and Upholding a Cause and Belief

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Day In The Life

Vice President, Operations

I manage a team of food safety consultants throughout North and South America.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology

    California State University, Northridge

  • Graduate Degree

    MBA

    Kansas State University

Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Vice President, Operations:

Bachelor's Degree: Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology

Graduate Degree: MBA

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

  • 1.

    I couldn't find a job doing medical research as I had intended. So, I took a job as a microbiologist for a food company. This is where my career started and I met my future husband.

  • 2.

    I was passed over for a promotion, so I started looking elsewhere.

  • 3.

    I thought my new job would require relocating to another state, but my responsibilities soon changed and I was traveling around the country, so it didn't matter where I lived.

  • 4.

    The road warrior (200+ nights a year on the road) was getting to me. I missed my family and my health was suffering. It was time for a change.

  • 5.

    I took a job with a well-respected company, but the culture was not a good fit for me. However, this was a period of time I focused on my health and lost ninety pounds.

  • 6.

    After I had made a positive impression with a customer several years prior, they proactively sought me out to join their organization. At the time, I considered this the ideal company to work for.

  • 7.

    I missed the work I had been doing from my road warrior days, but was hesitant to travel that much. My previous employer asked me to return with new responsibilities that required less travel.

  • 8.

    I applied for the Vice President role because I thought it would be a good experience. I was surprised when I was offered the role, but I embraced it, including relocating to the midwest.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Family:

    It's too much travel. You will be away from home too much. It's not safe to travel to other countries.

  • How I responded:

    Agree to give it a try and re-evaluate in 6 months. It may or may not be a good fit, but the only real way to know is to try it.