Alumni Story: Jessica Crosson of Miami Marlins
Jessica Crosson grew up in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, where she was a Girl Scout through Juniors. She loved cookie-selling season and attending Girl Scout Camp over the summers in Camp Furnace Hills. Jessica moved to Miami in January 2020 and now works for Miami Marlins as a group sales and service executive. She recently helped organized Girl Scouts Day with Marlins (see photos on Facebook). Jessica shared her favorite Girl Scout memories, how those experiences helped with her career, and why she chooses to stay connected to Girl Scouts today.
Where did you grow up and when did you join Girl Scouts?
I am originally from Pennsylvania. I grew up in Lebanon County where I was a Girl Scout through Juniors.
What is one of your most fond Girl Scout memories?
I used to LOVE doing the cookie sales and going to Girl Scout camp over the summer. Lori Ross, GSTF Director of Girl Experience, was a camp counselor at Camp Furnace Hills, which is where I attended numerous summer camp programs and sleepovers. My fondest memory was when I won an award that covered the cost of my summer camp attendance for an essay I wrote. Cookie sales were also so much fun. I used to beg my parents to take my cookie order forms into work with them before the other parents got their daughter's order forms in there first. My troop also used to set up cookie tables at the local mall so we would spend the whole day there trying to sell cookies. Today, I get so excited when I see tables set up at the grocery store or anywhere when I'm out and about.
How did something you learned as a Girl Scout help you with your career path?
Being in Girl Scouts when I was younger gave me a lot of confidence that I was able to take and continue to grow through my life. It inspired me to get involved in numerous organizations throughout high school and college and ultimately become the leader I am today. Working in a male dominated industry, it is super important to know your worth and be confident in what you bring to the organization!
Tell us about the Marlins Day with Girl Scouts and what that was like for you.
I was so thrilled when I found out I was going to take on our annual Girl Scouts Day - this was such a fun day and it was awesome to see SO MANY Girl Scouts make it out to the ballpark! I think it is super important to keep our youth active in the community and it's great to be able to help create unique experiences for them at the loanDepot park. I work directly with Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida as well as Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida but that doesn't mean other Girl Scouts can't attend - it is open to all Girl Scouts and their families. We had over 500 people participate in our Girl Scouts Day and I am looking forward to making next year's Girl Scouts Day even better!
What advice would you share with today's Girl Scouts?
Always be open to trying new things and putting yourself out there - you may find something you really have a knack for! I would have never made it down to Miami if I didn't give my first sales role a shot - I did a lot of internships/work in marketing and community relations roles before making the change to sales and now I love helping create experiences like Girl Scouts Day!
In a word, what does it mean to say 'I'm a Girl Scout’?
Leadership
