Long gone are the days when being an alumnus with great connections and leadership skills meant that one would get the job as the senior alumni relations professional at one's alma mater. Institutions are now seeking alumni relations leaders armed with operational and leadership experience and an understanding of advancement methodology and best practices. Two years ago, the author became the chief alumni officer at North Carolina Central University. Before that, however, she worked at the University of North Carolina General Alumni Association for 12-and-a-half years, serving in multiple roles and acquiring a new tool or skill with each position and task. As she reflects on the experiences that prepared her for her current role, she remembers the steps she took and the opportunities afforded to her. In this article, the author shares a few of her experiences and explains how they helped her climb the leadership ladder.