Blog
August 23, 2024
Kristen Longo reflects on her journey back to Attain Partners
At Attain Partners, we proudly proclaim that our people are the best, and we put great effort into caring for our team members’ well-being. But don’t just take our word for it—we have multiple “boomerang” hires, those who have worked with us, left to pursue other opportunities, and then chosen to come back to Team Attain.
So, what is it about our company and culture that makes previous employees want to return? Kristen Longo shares her personal experience coming home to Attain Partners below—read on to learn what elements of our business and approach resonate so strongly with Kristen that she decided to rejoin the team!
Attain Partners (AP): How did you get into your line of work?
Kristen Longo (KL): My career path grew from a mixture of opportunity (and networking), a passion for communications, and a willingness to try anything new. After earning a degree in English from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, I felt pressure to show how my skills could pivot to the real world. Jumping into publishing as an editorial assistant I learned quickly that I could understand technical topics, in this case, a line of books on SQL for professionals. From there I took on a public relations role with a healthcare system in New York, where I found myself working with every level of stakeholder—patients, physicians, executives, hospital staff, local politicians—to interpret complex medical information or share surgical breakthroughs with the communities that would benefit most from them.
Looking to grow, I moved to greater Washington D.C., and started working as a federal contractor in fascinating subject areas like air traffic control facilities and U.S. Coast Guard research and development. Around then it clicked, I’d found my niche in communications. Especially those that required me to learn complex topics or show an understanding of what people are (and aren’t) saying. Making connections and empowering people to succeed is deeply satisfying; and, while the contracts, industries, and agencies have changed over the years, my career and the success of those I serve, always anchor to communication.
AP: What did you do before Attain Partners?
KL: Before rejoining Attain Partners, I’d taken a sabbatical. The large financial institution I served as an internal communications manager went through an overhaul and downsized in the face of economic uncertainty. Instead of being upset, I used the confidence I’d built and the wide need for good communications as an opportunity to choose the next step in my career. In determining what I wanted that trajectory to look like, my top interest was to work with great people that motivate me. Naturally, I reconnected with my Attain Partners network, and we worked together to find the right role to return!
AP: How does it feel to rejoin us as a boomerang hire?
KL: Being a boomerang feels fantastic! I’m thrilled and jumping right back in. The culture at Attain is unlike any other place I’ve worked and at the end of every day I always felt that we made the best effort, and that we truly appreciated and helped one another. I’ll never forget a leader and mentor taking two hours out of their busy day to teach me how to produce a rough order of magnitude on a rush request by a client. Without question, he shifted his time to help me, and I have always sought to pay that forward. The people made the experience the best and I’ve remained connected to more Attain colleagues and friends than any other company in my career. It’s those connections that brought me back.
AP: What do you think makes our company culture unique?
KL: The authenticity and integrity of our people are what make our culture unique. Attain Partners leaders and colleagues are genuinely invested in both the individual and collective success of one other. You can run into Greg (our Founder and CEO) in the elevator and he’ll not only know what projects you’re working on and check on how they’re doing, but he’ll also ask about your life and happiness and you’ll exit the elevator feeling seen and heard.
Everyone I’ve had the pleasure to work with at Attain Partners is like this—we’re willing to hit the pause button (even when we’re busy) to check in, offer help or insight, or simply be there for each other where and when it matters.
AP: Which of our seven core values speaks to you most?
KL: Have Absolute Integrity. I base this on how I like to work, and the type of people I like to work with. For instance, if we can’t be willing to make or admit to mistakes, how can we expect to learn and expand our knowledge and abilities? Or, when everyone is working furiously to meet a deadline and a colleague shows up and asks where to help, isn’t that a person you want to work with? My most meaningful accomplishments at work and in life have stemmed from a desire to see things through and hold myself accountable.
AP: What upcoming project/initiative are you most excited about?
KL: The Wellness Program, which Attain Partners recently launched to support employees! There are so many aspects that add up to being at our best, from the basics of remembering to stay hydrated and get up and move during the day, to more confusing and far-off peace of mind like saving for the future and retirement. The work done on this program—even the gift of wellness items sent to all employees’ homes—reminds me to create a balance to do my best work and live my best life. That’s a commitment I can get behind!
AP: What’s your favorite memory from working at Attain, LLC.?
KL: There are many great moments to choose from, but I’ll go with a memory that had a really personal impact. In 2019, I participated in a panel for local pre-grads interested in pursuing careers aligned with Attain’s business areas. Many of the questions were based on technical and development languages and applications, until one student asked what opportunities are available to job seekers who don’t have a technical degree or background.
I felt like that question was made for me and saw a few others perk up in the room as I shared how a BA in English carried me across a variety of roles and industries with highly technical aspects, including healthcare, banking, and government. A day or two later I was touched when the student reached out to thank me and chat further, getting more and more excited about jobs they might pursue after graduation. They even let me know where they landed a few months later, and I made sure they knew how to find me in the future. It felt awesome to have a positive influence and serve as living proof that, as long as you’re willing to learn and aren’t afraid to ask questions, everyone’s career path is an open book.
AP: What do you like to do outside of work?
KL: On a daily basis, I thrive off walking my dog and listening to music. My goofball rescue brings so much joy and energy to every day (how I want to be!). Plus, the right tunes can get me pumped and confident for a big presentation or revive me after a long day. (When in doubt, I rock out to some Foo Fighters and life is good.) On a larger scale, my husband and I try to travel to a different National Park each year. Last year we drove through Redwood National and State Parks in California and this year we’ll top off an incredible trip to Alaska with a few days in Denali National Park and Preserve. (Here’s hoping we see some epic wildlife and return from the wilderness with all of our limbs intact!)
Grow Your Career at Attain Partners
Think you may be a good fit for Team Attain? Learn more about who we are and what we stand for on our Careers page. You can also view and apply for any open roles for which you are a good fit!
Learn more – Kristen Longo
Kristen Longo is a communicator with over 18 years of experience in the field, including project management, technical writing and editing, strategic communications and planning, stakeholder and corporate relations, and business process improvement. Her career has spanned publishing and healthcare, as well as business, management, and government consulting to achieve tactical and strategic communication goals and to analyze and understand how people receive information to make it more accessible to those who need it. She is a servant leader that believes in building self-starting, effective and collaborative teams that are well-equipped and motivated to reach business and professional goals. She is motivated by people – both in developing authentic, trusted relationships with individuals at all levels of an organization and in making connections via transparent, forward-thinking communication that will make a difference in people’s lives. When not working, Kristen enjoys music, being outside, and pretending she can compete with contestants on the Great British Baking Show with her husband and dog in Fairfax, Virginia.
