Jennifer Mitchell wanted a career that had a work-life balance. She wanted to be able to be at home with her children during the evenings and work during the day – something that wasn’t always available to her while working as a retail manager. During her job search, she saw a supervisor role available at Texas A&M University and was encouraged to apply.
“At the time, I didn’t know anything about the custodial world, other than basic cleaning,” Mitchell, regional director of operations, SSC Services for Education says. “The university took a chance on me, and I got hired.”
Shortly after getting hired, SSC formed a partnership with Texas A&M, opening up career growth opportunities for Mitchell. With her customer service background and her focus on teamwork, she applied for a supervisor role and quickly secured it. During her time, she expanded her role by collaborating with the safety team, organizing activities and delivering safety meetings across departments, allowing her to network and further understand the facilities landscape. Eventually, an assistant manager position opened. In this position, Mitchell got to deepen her leadership and explore budgeting and project management. It was in this position that she was able to contribute to the Kyle Field renovation, fueling her ambition to keep learning.
“Today, I’m a regional director of operations, a role I’ve held for almost five years. It was a significant step up, but SSC leadership recognized my commitment and drive, and I’ve been fortunate enough to grow with the company ever since,” Mitchell says. “Working at Texas A&M on prominent buildings and meeting people from diverse backgrounds made me realize how special this industry is. The company saw potential in me early on, assigning me to a high-profile area. Their belief in me and the encouragement I received in conversations where they highlighted that potential gave me a real boost in confidence and motivated me to keep advancing.”
Mitchell stays curious. She firmly believes that you can’t just sit behind a computer to learn – you have to be in the field, engaged with team members to gain the full scope of knowledge. She is continuously asking questions to develop her expertise, and when she can’t find the answer, she will seek out an expert to broaden her understanding on the subject.
“I have a passion and drive for facilities and creating excellent results,” Mitchell says. “I think this passion paired with my personality and constant hunger for more, has really contributed to my success.”
Mitchell is a human, though, and has faced her fair share of imposter syndrome. In these moments she surrounds herself with her support team, helping her overcome the feeling and navigate any challenges.
“During the toughest moments, my leaders have been right there, working alongside me and my team, encouraging us every step of the way,” Mitchell says. “While there have been challenging seasons, staying committed and having the support of a strong network of facilities managers has made all the difference.”
Mitchell learned the hard way that she needs to trust her gut instinct and stand firm with her decisions even if there is some push back. This approach to decision making has helped reinforce that her experience and intuition are guiding her toward the right choices.
“Having a seat at the table in leadership meetings and feelings that my work is valued motivates me every day,” Mitchell says. “Know I’m part of a team that recognizes my potential makes me excited to show up and give my best.”
While there are times when people have been shocked to see a Mitchell at a job site because she is a woman, but those feelings quickly pass when they see her work. She has learned to stand confidently and carry herself with a purpose, so that people know that she is fully capable and in control. This allows her to focus more on her work without any distractions, effectively earning the respect of her peers.
Mitchell wants to leave a legacy for future women in facilities management. She hopes that anyone – regardless of gender – can see that women bring empathy, encouragement and a distinct approach to communication within facilities management. These strengths help foster team morale and build a positive company culture.
“My goal is for future women leaders to see that hard work, vision and putting yourself out there lead to meaningful opportunities,” Mitchell says. “I want them to know that women’s contributions in leadership are just as essential as for those men and that they, too, have a place at the table.”
Mackenna Moralez is the associate editor for the facilities market and the host of the Facilities in Focus podcast.
