A 30-minute internship interview that stretched into two hours was UHD alumna Marlita Privette’s first clue that she was stepping into something bigger—a company, and eventually a career, that would accelerate her growth in ways she never expected. The result has been an unconventional, fast-track path that exposed her to operations, finance, team leadership, and strategic project management at Crane Worldwide Logistics.
“Some of the positions I moved into weren’t ones I initially wanted—they were what the company needed at the time,” she explained. “When someone hands you responsibility outside your job description, it’s often an opportunity worth taking.”
Since starting at Crane in 2018, Privette has held eight different titles through a variety of promotions and lateral moves since starting as an intern. “I enjoy the versatility of my work, and I really enjoy helping people solve problems.”
But according to Privette, now a senior manager in Managed Transportation, one of the primary reasons for her success is the interpersonal foundation she built while working in the restaurant industry. "People tend to underestimate their soft skills, but those skills matter more than they realize,” she said. Whether handling clients or navigating team dynamics, she relied heavily on empathy and communication. “No matter the setting—from a restaurant floor to a complex implementation—people want to be heard and treated with respect.”
When asked about work-life balance, Privette admits, “I worked full time and part time while I was in school, so when I graduated and suddenly had downtime, it felt strange. I’ve realized I just don’t thrive in slow environments.”
Privette’s pursuit of a fast-paced life isn’t only to the benefit of her own career development, though. She mentors UHD students and Crane employees and volunteers extensively in the community. Privette is a leader on the Crane Cares Committee, which coordinates employee volunteer and donation efforts around Houston, and chairs the company’s safety committee. Her volunteer work extends individually to other local organizations, such as Power On Heels and the Houston Food Bank.
And although her career continues to advance, Privette remains grounded in a desire to reach out and help others, which creates a feedback loop of positivity. “I’m usually the first to raise my hand to help. When your intention is genuinely to support others, that generosity tends to come back around.”