August 26, 2022

Having Faith in the Future

Meet Kelsey Harlow

Let’s start by getting to know you a little better. Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas & moved to College Station to get my marketing degree from Texas A&M. I worked at an agency in College Station after graduating, where I started as an intern and then was hired full time as a Digital Marketing Manager. I also work part time with my college ministry and part time with a wedding coordinator. I love dogs more than most other things, but unfortunately do not have one of my own — until then I mooch off of my friends’ and family’s pets!

What’s something you love to do?

I love any type of creative hobby. I took art in high school as a required credit and found an outlet for expression. My favorite mediums to work with are watercolor and acrylic paint. I am trying to learn embroidery, and would love to get back into photography more in the future. I have been trying to push myself to read more, and truly love reading. I am just picky about what books I like to read, but once I find a good one, I dive straight in. I also love writing and journaling!I loooove coffee — finding new coffee shops, trying new roasts, etc. I like spending time outside — going on walks, playing a non-competitive round of tennis, hiking, tagging along with my fiancé when he plays golf. etc.

What’s your favorite place?

Aside from my home/with my family, my favorite place I have traveled to is Tanzania.

What do you love about the job?

I love how much there is to learn. There’s always a new skill, technology, algorithm to learn and apply to projects. Nothing is the same, which is challenging, but exciting.

What is the last thing you binge-watched?

Schitt’s Creek

What’s your favorite book?

We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter. It’s not my usual genre, but I loved it.

If you could live in any sitcom, which would it be?

Friends. I used to have a fantasy of living in New York post grad and working there for a few months/a year. I am way too attached to being near family to have ever done that, but my old roommate and I always jokingly talked about doing that together. Also, it’s just a comfort show that I used to watch with my mom and sister, so it gives me the warm-fuzzies when I watch it.

Are you a listener or a talker?

I’m a listener.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I love food too much to pick just one. Probably any meal where my dad grills! That way I would get his yummy grilling and my mom’s yummy side dishes!

If there weren’t any more computers, what would be your new occupation?

An artist? I don’t think I am good enough to make it a career right now, but maybe I could?

What’s the scariest thing you’ve done for fun?

Probably traveling to Tanzania for a mission trip. Before that, I had never traveled internationally, so this was a big jump for me. I went with my college ministry before my senior year and spent 2 weeks serving at a rescue center for abandoned/orphaned children and at-risk families. It was the most incredible spiritual experience I have ever been a part of.

What’s your favorite children’s story?

My favorite book growing up was called “The Going to Bed Book” — my mom read it like a little song. Also Where the Wild Things Are and Goodnight Moon.

If you had an extra hour of free time every day, what would you spend it doing?

I would go on a walk if the weather is nice!

Any words of advice?

Have faith. I am a Christian, so I translate this as “have faith in God”. Trust that He will provide and that He is preparing me for whatever is ahead. Regardless of your beliefs, have faith that everything will be okay, even if it doesn’t seem like it now.

Why Schaefer?

Culture, culture, culture. This is something that was extremely important for me in my next career move. I have heard plenty of companies preach their culture, but have rarely, if ever, seen this in action before even starting at the company. I can tell how important the people are here on this team, and I am so excited to be a part of making the culture what it is.

For more about Kelsey, check out her bio.