The power of multidisciplinary studies
When she first joined Zayo four years ago, Lynn Daniel was mostly focused on what she was learning, not where learning would lead her in her career. This matches Daniel’s multidisciplinary educational past, in which she earned degrees in business, theoretical math, and studio art (specifically furniture making).
At Zayo, she ended up in a very data-heavy field, a perfect match for her math background. Now the Director of Data Governance and Reporting, Daniel is right where she wants to be.
“Zayo has been a phenomenal place to learn and grow,” she says.
It’s also been a phenomenal place for her to put her full background to good use, including her studio art degree. Though she describes her math and art degrees as “the least practical of the maths and the most practical of the arts,” both have been useful in her career, despite how unrelated they initially seem.
For one, Daniel has found meditation in woodworking and furniture making. Whether she’s planing a board or sharpening blades, the physicality of woodworking clears her mind, which then helps her sort through more theoretical questions and problems.
There’s a certain meditation to it, when you sharpen your blades, making sure that all the tools are prepared, making sure that the shop is ready.
“There’s a certain meditation to it, when you sharpen your blades, making sure that all the tools are prepared, making sure that the shop is ready,” she says. “It’s a very repetitive motion, again and again and again.”
For Daniel, this repetition is what calms the chaos. In losing herself in her art, “You can start to see connections that you may not see if you’re just sort of looking at everything right in front of you,” she says. It helps her prioritize: “Everything sort of slows down and becomes more clear.”
In short: Daniel’s varied background has been a source of strength.
This strength and clarity in the shop carries over to other domains when Daniel returns to the workplace. Her background has taught her to ask questions when she’s uncertain and build networks with others so that she doesn’t have to move through work, and life, alone.
In college, for example, Daniel didn’t feel particularly gifted at math. She and a classmate studied together frequently. “We had to work really, really hard for it,” Daniel said, but her classmate’s willingness to ask questions inspired Daniel to show up more confidently.
“There are always going to be people who are better,” Daniel says. “That’s just a given. This is a big world with brilliant people in it.”
But instead of letting that intimidate you, Daniel advocates for asking questions. More times than not, others will be grateful that you spoke up. In college, Daniel was always amazed by how many people had the same questions as her friend and classmate. They just lacked her confidence.
On the off chance that you run into a naysayer, Daniel recommends you keep asking questions. Be persistent and stay committed to getting answers, as this will benefit you in the long run.
“Even if one person is weirdly judgmental about your questioning of something, go to someone else,” Daniel says. “Eventually you’ll find a network of people.”
That network can provide support, answers, and reassurance — and together you can all move forward.