FROM CANDIDATE TO LEADER: MY GROWTH JOURNEY AT CLARENCE STREET DENTAL
One of my favorite things to share during an interview is my own story. When candidates sit across from me and ask about growth opportunities at Clarence Street Dental Group, I don’t have to speak from theory, I can speak from experience. My career journey is proof that when an organization truly believes in developing its people, incredible opportunities can unfold.
My story with Clarence Street Dental began in March 2014. At the time, the hiring process looked very different than it does today. My first step was a phone interview that lasted approximately twenty minutes. After successfully moving through that stage, I was invited to participate in a group interview alongside fifteen other candidates. I still remember walking into that room and feeling both excited and nervous. The process was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Candidates rotated through a series of conversations with various owners and members of the management team. It was almost like professional speed dating, with each interaction designed to help both sides determine whether there was a fit. The entire process lasted nearly three hours.
Looking back, I realize that Clarence Street Dental was evaluating far more than skills and experience. They were looking for individuals who aligned with the culture, values, and vision of the organization. Fortunately, I was selected for a position on the Business Administrative Team, commonly known as the front desk team. That opportunity would become the beginning of a career path I could never have imagined.
What makes this story even more meaningful is where I was personally at that stage of my life. My son was only nine months old when I attended that group interview. I was still on maternity leave when I was offered the position. The opportunity felt too special to pass up, so I made the decision to return to work early and started my new role when my son was just ten months old.
Even then, I had a feeling there was something different about Clarence Street Dental. Coming into the organization, my background was as a Level II Dental Assistant with two years of experience. I knew the office had a strong reputation and was considered a highly sought-after place to work. I understood that earning a position here was not easy, and I felt incredibly grateful to have been selected. What I didn’t know at the time was how many doors would eventually open.
After spending approximately one year on the Business Administrative Team, I was presented with an opportunity to become a Patient Coordinator. This role allowed me to work more closely with our clinical team and general dentists while developing a deeper understanding of patient care and treatment planning. As I continued to grow, another opportunity emerged—joining the Orthodontic Department. For several years, I worked alongside our orthodontic team, expanding my knowledge and strengthening my ability to support patients throughout their treatment journeys. The experience was invaluable and allowed me to build meaningful relationships with both patients and team members.
After taking maternity leave and returning to work, I continued in the Orthodontic Department while also taking on an additional challenge as the Patient Coordinator for our Oral Surgery Department. This role introduced me to a completely different side of dentistry. Working directly with our Oral Surgeon for approximately five years allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of complex treatment planning, patient education, and case management. It was another chapter of growth that further strengthened my confidence and skill set.
Today, my career has evolved once again. I have transitioned into full-time management, where I oversee our Dental Assistant Team and lead our HR and hiring process for the office.
When I reflect on my journey, I am reminded that none of these opportunities were available to me on day one. They were created through a culture that believes in investing in people, recognizing potential, and promoting from within. That is why I am so passionate about hiring.
When candidates ask me about career growth, I can genuinely tell them that I have lived it. I have experienced firsthand what happens when an organization chooses to develop talent internally rather than constantly looking externally for leadership. Every position I have held has prepared me for the next one. Every opportunity has helped me build new skills, gain confidence, and broaden my understanding of the business.
Most importantly, every step of my journey has reinforced the belief that growth is possible when both the organization and the employee are committed to development. As a hiring manager, I often find myself painting a picture of what the future could look like for a candidate. Not because I can promise a specific role or title, but because I know the power of possibility. At the heart of every interview is a simple question: “Can I see myself building a future here?” I know I could.
More than twelve years later, I am still building that future. When candidates hear my story, I hope they see more than a career path. I hope they see what can happen when opportunity meets commitment, when leadership invests in people, and when an organization truly believes in helping its team members grow. My journey from candidate to leader is one of the reasons I am so proud to be part of Clarence Street Dental Group. Because sometimes the best example of growth isn’t a policy, a program, or a promise. Sometimes it’s a person sitting across the interview table, sharing the story of where they started and how far they’ve come.