#PrintHERStoryMonth 2025: Meet Kristen Stauss, Job Seeker

Kristen Stauss: http://linkedin.com/in/kristenstauss

The position you are seeking / Location: Project Management, Development / Account Management, Logistics – Sacramento, CA / NorCal, remote

What does empowerment mean to you as a woman in printing?

Empowerment means having supportive management and supervisors encouraging you to reach for the stars. Supportive teams that want to hear your thoughts and insights on the project at hand.

Can you share a moment in your career when you felt truly empowered?

Honestly, I felt truly empowered walking away from my first account management position. I started as the receptionist and after a year I was given a very large account to coordinate with very little instruction. I had been managing said account while also maintaining all previous duties, with no pay increase. After a year and a half, with no account issues, I asked for a sizeable raise, looking to negotiate. I included an ultimatum, that I would be quitting without a raise.

They didn’t want to negotiate and I didn’t have a new position but I couldn’t stand to work for them for pennies knowing my worth because I was doing all the billing for my account!!

I walked out of that job with my head high knowing I would find something new and better. I ended up with three years off with full unemployment and went back to school for more training. It was September of 2008, just before the recession.

What resources or programs have helped you grow in your career that you would recommend to young women?

LinkedIn and the Printerverse have been great resources to follow. I have learned a lot from my experiences and community. It helps when the concepts of print, design, and creative communication are all things you really nerd out on.