Exploring Curiosity: How Embracing My Multi-Passionate Nature Shaped My Career at Hilti

“Curiosity is the engine of achievement.” – Ken Robinson

When I joined Hilti, I brought with me a wide range of interests and experiences: logistics, global affairs, storytelling, strategy and Chinese. For a long time, I struggled with why I was so interested in so many different topics, and it made it difficult to define a clear path.  I often would think my brain operated with numerous browser tabs open. I’ve always been interested in how the world works. At Hilti, I discovered that what I once viewed as a challenge was a superpower. I recognized that my curiosity wasn’t something to tame; it was something to trust. And that first step into a new industry became the beginning of an energizing, expansive journey.

Learning to Trust the Curveballs: Finding My Place in a Room Full of Engineers

When I began pursuing a degree in engineering management at an aeronautical university, at my first team meeting in a systems engineering course, I quickly realized I was surrounded by aerospace engineers with deep technical expertise. And while I brought a strong background in strategy and operations, I didn’t speak the language of systems architecture, aviation protocols or any of the software they used for this type of modeling.

As we kicked off a complex project, I remember saying to my team, “I’m probably at a level 2, and you’re all at level 1,000.” It was an honest statement, not of inadequacy, but of where I was starting from. I made it clear that I would ask questions, even basic ones, because I was committed to understanding the and wanted to contribute in a meaningful way. 

What shifted everything was a comment from one of my teammates: “The hardest part for engineers is translating complex systems into simple, digestible terms.” That feedback reframed my role. My experience in storytelling and strategic thinking gave me the tools to bridge that gap. I realized I didn’t need to have the most technical voice in the room.  I brought value by making the technical accessible.

That experience taught me a lesson I’ve carried with me since: expertise isn’t about what you know; it’s about how you learn, how you listen and how you connect ideas across disciplines. That mindset has shaped every step of my career, especially my journey at Hilti.

Amanda and colleagues attending a Dallas Stars game in the Hilti suite at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

Embracing the Nonlinear Path

Before Hilti, I worked in logistics. This opportunity exposed me to industries like cosmetics, fashion marketplaces, publishing and fresh fish. I loved getting a peak behind the curtain within these organizations as it was interesting to understand how they operate and adapt to meet the needs of their customers. This curiosity about how things work led me to pursue two graduate degrees.

The first, in global affairs, reflected my early interest in public service and gave me a broader understanding of international systems and markets. The second, in engineering management, equipped me to bridge technical and business priorities, enabling stronger collaboration and decision-making across teams.

Although I grew up in a family surrounded by technical minds, my grandma was a bus mechanic, and both my dad and brother are engineers, I never imagined myself in the construction or engineering space. I didn’t follow a traditional technical path, and I was nervous if I would be able to adjust. But my gut said, if they can do it, I could at least take the first step and I’m so glad I did.

Looking back, I realized that my willingness to step into unfamiliar territory started much earlier. When I was 18, I decided to learn Chinese, something far outside my background. The experience taught me how to stay with something even when it felt hard. It showed me the value of starting from zero, being patient with myself and learning with humility. This mindset became essential when I entered the construction industry, where I didn’t have a traditional technical background. I’ve learned that what matters most isn’t having all the answers but having the willingness to even begin.

Each step added insight and capability. The path hasn’t been linear, and it’s been deeply enriching.

Amanda with a colleague.

Where Curiosity Meets Collaboration

One recent project at Hilti brought everything full circle. I drew on my logistics background, customer feedback and collaborated across departments to solve a customer’s pain point. What made the experience stand out wasn’t just the outcome; it was the response. Even though the solution I proposed extended beyond my formal role, I wasn’t told to stay in my lane. Instead, I was met with encouragement and support, which made me realize how much Hilti values expansive thinking and trust built through collaboration.

That moment captured what makes Hilti’s culture so powerful: courage isn’t just about bold moves; it’s about creating space for people to speak up, challenge norms and explore new territories with curiosity. Growth doesn’t happen insolation. It has taken me time to realize that many qualities I now see as strengths weren’t defined by me alone. More often, they were reflected on me through a conversation with colleagues, shifts in responsibility and the encouragement of people who saw something in me I hadn’t yet named.

We often talk about personal development as an individual journey, but my time at Hilti has shown me how much it’s shaped by those around us. You don’t need to force a personal brand or chase a predefined skill set. Sometimes, the most meaningful growth comes from engaging deeply with challenges and letting them teach you something new.

As a project manager, I’ve seen how vital it is to be adaptable and multifaceted. On any given day, I might dive into operational details, guide a workstream or present a financial model to stakeholders. This constant shift in perspective has shown me the value of a broad skill set and curiosity.

Thriving in dynamic environment means being comfortable wearing many hats, connecting ideas across functions and adapting to what the moment requires.

That’s when I truly embraced my identity as a generalist.

On Being a Generalist

Earlier in my career, I wasn’t sure how to define my broad interests. I often joked that I was a “Jane of all trades, master of none” or even a collector of facts. I’ve always been drawn to ideas, sometimes simply because they’re interesting. Learning for the sake of learning has always felt natural to me, even when there’s no clear application in sight. I wasn’t sure if that was a strength or a liability.

What I've come to appreciate is that this curiosity often leads somewhere. I like connecting dots and taking ideas and translating them into something tangible. Over time, I came to realize that the challenge wasn’t my curiosity; it was that I didn’t have the right language to describe how I work.

Naming it made all the difference. Once I came to understand that I was a generalist, I began to see the value in how I think and contribute. I’m someone whose ideas intersect and there’s room to explore and build.

At Hilti, “generalist” is also a name given for account managers who cover a broad range of customers, and in my case, I use it to describe a mindset. Someone who thrives across disciplines, connects ideas and adapts quickly. The skills I’ve carried across roles such as sales, storytelling and data (among other things) don’t always fit into a single category. When paired with structure, curiosity and a strong sense of ownership, these traits can become a powerful asset.

I’ve always been someone who likes to have a plan, and I’ve learned that some of the most meaningful growth happens when you leave room for the unexpected. In today’s fast-evolving business landscape, versatility is more than a nice-to-have; it’s a strategic advantage. Generalists often serve as bridges between teams, translating ideas, spotting patterns and driving innovation.

Amanda demoing a tool. 

To Fellow Multi-Passionate Professionals

If your journey hasn’t followed a traditional path, know that you’re not alone; and that your unique combination of interests and strengths is something to embrace.

I’d tell my younger self: it’s okay not to have a linear plan. Every step, even the ones that seemed unrelated at the time, have played a meaningful role in where I am today. The journey has been cohesive in hindsight, even if it didn’t look that way in the moment.

If you’re multi-passionate, my advice is this: trust your instincts, stay curious and find environments that allow you to grow in multiple directions. There’s power in versatility and value in the path that’s uniquely yours.

One of my favorite things about Hilti is that if you have passion and drive, the organization will give you the tools and opportunities to make things happen. It’s common to find people here who have worked across different functions from Sales to HR to Finance. For someone like me, who thrives on possibilities, Hilti has been an incredible place to grow.

Explore Opportunities at Hilti

At Hilti, we are committed to creating opportunities for our team members to connect with one another and develop meaningful and long-lasting careers with impact. Learn more and explore our opportunities in North America and worldwide here: Jobs | Hilti Careers.