At Guidepoint, every role plays a crucial part in delivering seamless experiences, not just for our clients but also within our own walls. We’re excited to introduce you to Samaria Parker, whose professionalism embodies Guidepoint’s commitment to connection and excellence. As the first friendly voice and welcoming face many encounter, she serves as a vital bridge between employees, visitors, and the flow of daily operations.
We sat down with Samaria to hear more about her role, what she enjoys most, and how she helps keep Guidepoint running smoothly.
Can you tell us about your role at Guidepoint and what your day-to-day looks like?
Samaria: I work at Guidepoint’s front desk. On a day-to-day, I answer calls, greet guests, answer emails and help ensure employees have what they need. I also help plan our happy hours, handle incoming and outgoing mail and make sure the front coffee stations are up and running.
What do you enjoy most about being the first point of contact for employees and visitors?
Samaria: First impressions are very important. I like being able to be a friendly face for employees or visitors when they enter the office.
What skills or qualities do you think are essential for someone in your position?
Samaria: To be successful, you have to stay organized and keep track of an array of different needs from multiple teams. It’s also important to be flexible and ready to tackle new issues as they present themselves.
Off the record mentioned your background is in journalism. Has that experience shaped the way you communicate or connect with people in your role?
Samaria: Journalism has taught me a lot about how best to interact with different personalities. I use those tools while chatting with each guest and client to make sure they have the best possible experience while in the office.
Guidepoint is all about connecting clients to expertise. How does your role help create a welcoming and professional experience?
Samaria: Making sure guests have someone to guide them through their arrival helps put them at ease. My role helps make sure guests have a good first impression of the work culture here.
Do you have any advice for others on how to stay organized and positive in a role with lots of different demands?
Samaria: Keeping a to-do list, using lots of sticky notes and communicating clearly with my team help me stay organized. Working with a small team that is quick to help out with any complications makes it easy to stay positive on days when there are lots of different demands.
Is there a memorable interaction or moment that you’ve had while working here that sticks with you?
Samaria: While it’s not a specific memory, setting up the themed happy hours and seeing people admire the decorations or reading the informational posters we put out is always a great feeling!