Finding Growth in Uncertainty: Career Lessons from Danielle Humilde

Recently, I attended an engaging session with Danielle Wilcox Humilde , Regional Digital Manager at Marsh McLennan , and her story resonated deeply with me. Danielle’s career began during the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed her into entrepreneurship. Her ability to adapt and grow from those challenges offered valuable lessons for someone like me, currently bridging my expertise in product design, UX, and digital marketing.

Starting Small, Thinking Big: How Perseverance Drives Entrepreneurial Success

Danielle began her digital marketing career by finding her own strategy firm right after graduation, despite limited experience. Her work with her first client, Ahimsa Eco Solutions, a small eco-friendly business, showcased her adaptability. With minimal resources, she created a simple digital marketing strategy that grew their audience by 300%. Her success taught me that entrepreneurship doesn’t require all the answers upfront—growth comes from taking risks and learning along the way. Danielle’s journey highlighted how impactful results can be achieved, regardless of experience.

Have I Ever Considered Becoming an Entrepreneur?

Danielle’s experience as an entrepreneur made me pause and consider whether I see entrepreneurship in my future. While I find the idea intriguing—especially the potential for creative freedom—I’ve realized that my current focus is on refining my skills in UX design and digital marketing within structured environments. That said, her journey showed me that entrepreneurship can be a powerful way to build diverse skills, and it’s something I might explore once I’ve further established my foundation in these fields. I’m inspired by the way Danielle was able to take ownership of her career and create opportunities for herself, even during a time of uncertainty.

"Everything is Either a Lesson or a Blessing"

Danielle’s advice, “Everything is either a lesson or a blessing,” particularly resonated with me. In my own career, I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. One instance that comes to mind is a product design project where the feedback was not as positive as expected. Initially, it felt like a setback, but instead of seeing it as a failure, I embraced it as a learning opportunity. After analyzing the feedback, I made significant adjustments to the design, and the second iteration was far more successful.

Danielle’s mindset is something I plan to apply as I search for a co-op position in 2025. There may be roles I apply for that don’t turn out to be the perfect fit, or I may face rejection. However, I’m going to view every experience as a chance to learn something valuable—whether it’s refining my portfolio, sharpening my interview skills, or simply understanding what kind of environment I want to work in.

What I Learned from the Case Study Activity

During the session, we participated in a case study that required us to present website performance data to our classmates. This activity taught me the importance of simplifying complex information and focusing on what matters most to the audience. Not everyone in the class has an analytical mind and we are often not as familiar with marketing jargon or detailed metrics, so it’s essential to distill the information into clear, actionable insights.

I learnt that effectively presenting data requires a strategic approach, and it’s important to highlight the insights that drive decisions. This experience was valuable for learning how to customise information to the audience, a skill I plan to refine further as I move forward in my career.

How This Will Impact My Career Path

Danielle’s story has reinforced the importance of adaptability and strategic thinking in my own career. Her ability to pivot and grow, even when faced with uncertainty, mirrors the kind of resilience I hope to cultivate. As I continue to bridge my expertise in product design with UX and digital marketing, I’ll take her advice to heart: staying open-minded and viewing every challenge as either a lesson or a blessing.

In the coming months, as I search for my co-op opportunity, I will approach each step with the mindset that every experience—whether good or challenging—has something to teach me. Danielle’s journey has shown me that growth often happens in unexpected ways, and by staying adaptable, I can create opportunities for myself, no matter what comes my way.