Seychelle Hicks W'08

Contact: Email Wharton Women about getting in touch or reach out on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/seychelle-hicks-06315825/.

What did you study at Penn and when did you graduate? 

I graduated in 2008 and studied Finance and Management and an English Literature minor.

What were you involved with as an undergraduate?

Wharton Women! I served on the WW Executive Board as the VP of University Relations and contributed to Penn’s largest student-run conference, the annual Wharton Women Business Conference, in various roles from Chairperson to Panelist Chair to event volunteer. I also Chaired Wharton Leadership Ventures where we traveled around the world from Patagonia to the Grand Tetons to grow as leaders, develop team working skills, and provide non-profit consulting. Wharton Leadership Ventures was immersive, experiential learning to apply our leadership skills in the field at the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, Penn’s Trauma Center, and climbing mountains in rope teams. I also participated in Wharton’s International Programs in Beijing, China and Hyderabad, India. I am grateful for these diverse and tremendous real world experiences that continue to serve me in my professional and personal development.  

What was your favorite part of Penn/Wharton?

The people are absolute number one whether it’s our classmates or the professors and people who pass through the halls. No matter who you meet from Penn you know that person is super fun and interesting, but also humble. It truly is an amazing network, really a family, that continues long after graduation. The admissions office certainly finds a unique quality that ties everyone together.

Wharton stands out in its experiential learning with teamwork, which really preps you for the real world. Learning how to effectively collaborate and problem solve is so important. Clubs allowed me to gain real world experience whether it was running a business conference within a budget or learning how to perform as a high functioning team through project coursework or climbing multiple pitches on the Grand Teton and seeing leadership in action from our inspiring peers to world renowned leaders who regularly visit the campus. . 

What has your career journey looked like?

Wharton opened my eyes to a lot of tried and true paths taken by many successful alumni such as banking, consulting, etc. Even though Wharton is known in the world for providing incredible opportunities on these paths, we are prepared to do so much more with our foundation in business fundamentals, creativity, problem solving approach, and stellar work ethic. 

I took a gap year, and I highly recommend it. I climbed in the Himalayas, which was something I dreamed of doing, and I am proud to have fulfilled that goal. You have to remember that instead of doing only Penn’s on campus recruiting process, you can always make your own path based on your own interests and goals. After my gap year, I ultimately did choose to do M&A/Investment Banking, and I had a lot more perspective than had I gone straight there after graduation. When you have those hard long days, feeling like you consciously chose this path feels much more empowering and motivating. 

I reconnected with a Wharton friend who was in the startup world, and I realized I wanted to be a part of growing and building something not transacting and consulting. Tech is a great place to do that where you fail fast. I quit my job in IB in NYC and took a leap of faith in changing industries and moving to San Francisco. It was the Penn network, a friend I met on an international program to Beijing, who recommended me for a job at a startup he was at. Though I was new to tech, I wasn’t intimidated, and I was willing to work hard. I’ve been in tech ever since and love the intensity and creativity required in building a company!

What has been the biggest challenge of your career?

Challenge is an interesting word and it depends on your perspective. Challenges can always be looked at like opportunities. I truly believe that as one door closes, another one opens. A lot of perceived failures along the way have turned into tremendous opportunities for me. 

The first tech company I joined, I had a great experience and stayed there for 4 years. However, there was a lot of change in leadership and structure. Having a supportive manager who cares, pushes you to stretch and grow, and actively helps you navigate your career trajectory is incredibly important. When a new leader was placed in my organization, the opportunities for growth diminished, and I did not see a future in being able to contribute to my fullest. I also had a family crisis at this time, and it made me reassess what was most important - what you are doing is important, but who you are doing it with is critical. The synchronicities of these events were just the swift kick in the pants from the universe that I needed to propel my career forward. My first thought was to reach out to a trailblazing woman tech executive who I had met socially a few months earlier...well I sent the email, we met in person 3-days later and this turned into my next job, which has been a rocketship experience. 

When times get tough, go inward, assess your priorities aligned to your values, talk to mentors and friends, and set your intentions. Believe in yourself and consciously choose your first next step, which is the hardest, but the next action, followed by the next and then the next will become clearer and easier. 

What advice do you wish you had known when you were an undergraduate?

One of my managers in tech said if you can’t have someone explain something in plain simple English, then they are BSing you and likely missing the point themselves. In any role. no matter how senior or junior, you should always feel empowered to ask questions and make sure you understand the heart of the matter. This goes for your job and in personal relationships. Don't be afraid to ask questions and seek deeper understanding. How many times do we make assumptions or start solving for the wrong problem instead of really understanding the root of the matter. I truly feel like communication is always something you can work on. 

I also think finding mentors is super important and you can learn a lot from many different people. It doesn't have to be a senior person at your company, a certain title, or in a specific industry- just reach out to people who inspire you. It is authentic connections that open opportunities for both parties. 

Finally and most importantly, commit to your life long study and understanding of  yourself. This self-awareness and active reflection are so important. In college, as a part of Dr. Shell’s Literature of Success class, we wrote self reflection papers for ourselves. When I recently came across these documents in an old file cabinet, I noticed a comment about spirituality, and I knew back then I needed to invest more in it despite staying on the career boil. There is nothing wrong with taking a pause for five minutes to take yourself out of an emotional, reactive mode. When days get hard and rough, put it into a broader perspective and observe it more neutrally. It can feel like everything is the end of the world, but you will get beyond this. The sun is always gonna come up tomorrow. Have a good cry out, take a walk, or watch a feel-good movie. We always feel like we have to make the right decision immediately in this connected, fast-paced age, but slowing down and centering yourself is so important. Be the eye of the storm. You always have more than enough time to accomplish what is in your highest good.