Megan: Get your shit together.

In this episode, Kristin sits down with Megan (she/her), a senior accounting leader whose career has been shaped as much by intuition as it has by strategy. From her degree in fashion merchandising to navigating Big Four accounting and beyond, Megan shares how she’s built a career that blends structure, creativity, and strong instincts.

They talk about what it really means to feel off track, the evolution from self-doubt to self-trust, and the importance of finding the right people and environments along the way. The takeaway: not all stuck moments are the same and knowing when to trust the vibes versus when to get your shit together might be the most important skill of all.

Transcript

In this episode of Everything Counts (but nothing is real), Kristin sits down with a guest who built a career in a corporate field—without following a traditional or linear path.

They start by unpacking what the work actually looks like day-to-day. Contrary to common assumptions, it’s not just spreadsheets and numbers—it involves interpreting complex rules, advising on business decisions, and navigating ambiguity. The conversation highlights how even structured, rule-based careers can involve creativity, judgment, and strategic thinking.

The guest shares how she didn’t begin with a clear career plan. After studying something unrelated, she found herself feeling off track early on, eventually choosing a more stable and practical path during a time of uncertainty. That decision led her into a demanding early career environment, where she gained foundational experience—but also faced long hours, high pressure, and moments of self-doubt.

They talk candidly about the emotional side of building a career, especially as a young professional. Early mistakes felt overwhelming at the time, but in hindsight became important learning moments. Over time, confidence grew—not from getting everything right, but from repeatedly figuring things out.

A major theme throughout the episode is the importance of people at work. The guest reflects on how much better work feels when you’re part of a strong, supportive team—and how hiring and collaboration are just as important as hard skills. Culture, relationships, and “vibe” play a bigger role than many people expect, even in more traditional industries.

They also discuss career growth and decision-making, including:

•  why you shouldn’t stay too comfortable in a role 
•  how to think strategically about gaining new skills 
•  when it’s okay to leave a job—even if it doesn’t look perfect on paper 
•  how to balance logic with instinct when making career moves 

The conversation touches on feedback, too—why it’s hard to give, harder to receive, and ultimately essential for growth. Learning how to accept feedback without defensiveness is framed as a key professional skill.

Throughout the episode, there’s an ongoing tension between planning and intuition. The guest emphasizes that careers don’t have to be perfectly linear or purely strategic—there’s room to make decisions based on what feels right, as long as you stay intentional.

The episode closes with practical advice for anyone feeling off track:

If you’re stuck and not taking action, it may be time to reset and move forward more intentionally—whether that means building skills, having conversations, or making a change. But if you’re already putting in the effort and things aren’t clicking yet, it’s often about trusting the process and giving it time.