We asked Katie Rippel to share some of her insight from her career at Anheuser-Busch, where she started work as an intern in 2001. Rippel started as brewing front-line supervisor, steadily working her way up the ranks in a heavily male-dominated profession.

Rippel has incredible insight from her career. We asked her to share thoughts for people starting out in the workforce who are relatively early in their career.

This is part 1 in a three-part series. To be notified when parts 2 and 3 are posted, follow the Purdue Women Facebook group!

If no one is putting it out there for you, be willing to ask how something works.

What advice do you have for folks who are starting out in their career?

My advice is to watch and listen. If you’re paying attention, you’re going to pick up pretty quickly on how things work. Never underestimate being able to ask the right questions to a manager or a peer — or even people in HR.

There have been times when I’ve asked what I thought were really dumb questions, but it turns out that the people I asked were almost excited to be able to explain it for me. If no one is putting it out there for you, be willing to ask how something works. You can be shy, but realize there could be some unwritten rules. If nothing else, learn “never assume” immediately.

We live in an era where it’s expected that you’re going to jump around a lot in your career. Can you talk about how Anheuser Busch has made itself compelling to retain you?

For me, the job has always been fascinating. I’ve had a lot of different roles, numbering more than 20 right now. I’ve always wanted to get up when my alarm goes off. That’s compelling reason number one. I like what I do. Otherwise, if you don’t like what you do, it’s going to eat at you over time. It doesn’t matter how much they pay you or where you live.

The second part is the people. They make it happen. That’s why I’ve stayed. The people make the ultimate difference. If you love what you do, but the people you work with are toxic, you’re going to reach a point where it’s a drag to get to work everyday.

What advice do you have for people weighing decisions about whether to test the waters elsewhere or develop seniority where they’re at?

When in doubt, stick it out. For me very early on — and some of this is because I work in a more technical field and industry — I was overwhelmed by the experience of the people around me and how much they knew. Experience is a critical thing, so I’m an advocate for sticking it out and getting more experience. You might surprise yourself.

When I’m looking at resumes, I don’t like seeing a lot of job hopping — even when I’m looking internally. If they’ve had three jobs in three years, you question if this person can finish what they started or if they’re ever satisfied. Sometimes it’s because they’re phenomenal and they’ve been pushed into positions, but I’ve seen how it has its drawbacks. You need to be in a role long enough to live with your own decisions.

I encourage people to stick it out. To let the cake bake and not be looking for the next thing.