What do the career path and the day-in-the-life look like for a Sr Manager of Operation Strategy at Hometap?

We connected with Samantha Sandler to find out!

Interested in learning more about Hometap and their job openings?  Make sure to check out their company page on VentureFizz!

Where did you grow up?  What did your parents do for work?  

I grew up in a small town named Madison, Connecticut. My mom and dad started a logistics company 30+ years ago based out of Windsor, Connecticut. Unfortunately, my dad passed away when I was younger, so my mom took over and grew the business full time while raising my brother, sister, and I. Growing up watching my mom run the business primed me for the working world, as I got to see firsthand how difficult it is to build and run something successfully on your own. Both my parents’ work ethic and dedication to their business is something that has always motivated me to know that if you work hard, good things will come.

Where did you go to college?  What did you study and what were some of your initial jobs out of school?

I started my college career at Trinity College in Hartford, CT. Growing up, I played a lot of sports and was lucky enough to play both field and ice hockey at Trinity. Ultimately, I decided that I had been in Connecticut long enough and wanted to stretch myself academically, so I transferred to Vanderbilt University in Nashville to study economics and retired from sports. 

My first job out of school was with a Boston-based tech startup called Catalant. I had interned for them the summer before graduation and started out on the Network Strategy team. I have always described that role as a hybrid of sales, recruiting, and project management. It was an amazing job right out of school because it gave me the opportunity to learn about different industries and how enterprise and private equity companies were structured. It gave me access to a lot of very successful and smart people — who I wouldn't have normally been able to learn from — both externally and internally.

You recently transitioned from a role in Sales to a role in Operations. What prompted the change? How has the transition been? 

I have! That is a great question. I joined Hometap as the fifth salesperson and have seen our team grow to 80+. What I loved most about my time in sales, besides helping our homeowners, was being a part of that growth and the ability to wear a lot of hats and make an impact.

On top of that, I have always had a sincere interest in the forward vision of the company, understanding why we make the decisions we do, and how we can become more efficient on our way there. Many of my one-on-one meetings with my previous manager and VP of Sales, Dan Amato, would be spent learning about the types of meetings he is in and asking about his vision for the company in the future. I ultimately saw an opening for me to give back to the company in a new way and develop a new set of skills on our Operations Strategy team. The role can have a positive impact on sales with our improved processes, so even though I am not directly under the umbrella of sales, I will still be able to influence their success! 

What has attributed to your success thus far and has helped propel you to the position you have now?

One of our values here at Hometap is putting the team and homeowner first. Since I joined back in 2020, if anyone ever asked for help or asked me to step in, I have never said no. I try to approach each day by understanding how my role plugs into the greater company mission. I have an innate competitiveness, so I utilize that part of myself to make sure I can be the best in whatever position I am currently in. By doing this and being available as a resource to my teammates, I recognize that it will hopefully propel me to where I would like to be professionally. Additionally, on our sales team, there was a defined set of milestones to hit that I could strive for to get me that next promotion. I always knew what I was gunning for and was able to move up in our sales organization.

I have also been fortunate enough to have had incredible mentors both inside and outside of Hometap. In particular, Dan Amato has always enabled me to do more than what has been in my job description. He has helped open the door for me to work cross-functionally and expose me to new opportunities. Being able to get insight into other parts of the business was the first indicator to me that I may be better suited for a strategy role at this point in my career.

Can you share the high-level responsibilities of your current position as a Sr Manager of Operation Strategy at Hometap?

In my role as Senior Manager of Ops Strategy, there is a meaningful opportunity to improve our systems, process, and approach to scaling our business, improving customer and employee satisfaction, and using speed and quality of execution as Hometap’s competitive advantage. I help to ensure that our operations can support continued growth and smooth execution. I work closely with internal stakeholders to identify, prioritize, and execute on process improvement opportunities to enhance our homeowner and Hometap employee experiences. 

Any tips for someone considering a career in your field?

When I was in the sales organization, I would join all new hires for lunch during their first or second week. I would often get the question, “How do I get promoted?” I will share what I share in those meetings, and I think it holds true for all fields. First, focus on what your current job is, and do that exceptionally well. Once you do that, you will solidify yourself amongst your peers and across the company as the “go-to” person. If someone asks you to participate in something, help them out, or do them a favor, say yes. If you marry those two things and become an asset to the organization, I have no doubt you will get wherever you want to go.

Day in the Life

Coffee, tea, or nothing?

Black coffee with cinnamon, but not as soon as I wake up. I usually have my first sip around 8:45/9am.

What time do you start working? 

It really depends on the day. I have a hard time disconnecting, so I am always responding to emails or internal messages. But, I would say I am always ready to go, standing at my desk by 8:15 AM.

Every day is different, but can you outline what a typical day looks like for you?

I am an early riser and tend to be woken up by my furry alarm clock and five year-old golden retriever, Ollie, around 6am. I’ll wake up, feed him, take him for a walk, and then get ready to go to the gym. That gives me time to have my “moving meditation” and set myself up for success that day. Once back, I log on, answer any emails that I have not yet replied to, and get started on the day. My typical day has shifted a lot in my time at Hometap from a lot of external calls to homeowners, to helping members of the sales team internally, to now to working cross-functionally and closely with my manager. We’ll check in on current projects in flight and learn how those intersect with other initiatives across the organization. I live in NYC without a yard, so I’ll take Ollie out again on a quick walk around 3, and then come back to work and tend to wrap up around 6:30/7 depending on the day. As previously mentioned, I am not great at disconnecting so will monitor messages and emails and will pop back on, if needed. If not, I love to go out and meet friends for dinner or drinks in the city! Or, curl up on the couch with Ollie and watch TV.

Do you log back in at night or do you shut it down completely?  

It really depends on what I am working on. Some days I don’t have to. Others, I see something pop up on my phone and I would rather take care of it at that moment than wait until the next day.

Any productivity hacks?

I am a big snoozer of my Slack notifications. We are a mostly remote company, so all communication outside of meetings is done via Slack. It is an awesome tool; but, between the direct messages and channels, it is important for me to snooze when I need dedicated time to focus.

What professional accomplishment are you proudest of?

I am most proud of seeing the progress that members of my sales team made while I was their manager. The reps that I worked with have come such a long way. Seeing how they have come into their own, grown their confidence, realized their potential, and become leaders on the sales floor was the most rewarding part of my previous role.

Who do you admire or call upon for professional advice?

I mentioned previously that I have been very fortunate with mentors both inside and outside of Hometap. One person in particular that I always call upon for professional advice outside of Hometap is my cousin, Aleca Hughes. I grew up trying to chase her in the hockey rink (spoiler: that did not pan out). But now in a professional setting, it is similar. She has climbed her way up at her current company and always gives great advice, challenges me to be better, and gives direct and actionable feedback. I am very lucky to have her on my team.

What do the career path and the day-in-the-life look like for a Director of Seller Recruitment at Mirakl?

We connected with Sabreena Khan to find out!

Interested in learning more about Mirakl and their job openings?  Make sure to check out their company page on VentureFizz!

Where did you grow up?  What did your parents do for work?  

I grew up all around the world because my father worked for the United Nations Development Program as an Asphalt Engineer specializing in airports and infrastructure. Most of my childhood was spent in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where my parents had moved from California. Later I attended high school in the Gulf Island of Bahrain, went to Boston, MA, for college, worked and lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dubai UAE, Islamabad, Pakistan, and most recently, my forever home of NYC!

Where did you go to college?  What did you study and what were some of your initial jobs out of school?

I went to Babson College in Wellesley, MA, where I double majored in International Business and Economics. Right after graduating, I worked for a Cambridge-based healthcare technology company called WorldCare. 

What has attributed to your success thus far and has helped propel you to the position you have now?

I’ve always been open to exploring new opportunities within my career! This curiosity drives me to continually acquire new skills and explore innovative ventures, thus re-inventing myself and my career path. I started working at a groundbreaking healthcare company straight out of college and was exposed to some of the greatest entrepreneurial minds. That influenced my passion for the start-up world and my desire to be at revolutionary companies. Starting my career early on with agility as a core competency, I realized you could be an asset to any organization that moves quickly. This agility and sense of constantly challenging the status quo have helped me propel myself in my career. 

Can you share the high-level responsibilities of your current position as a Director of Seller Recruitment at Mirakl?

My role at Mirakl falls within the realm of Client Success. I lead a hybrid business development and marketplace team, working closely with our Executive Vice Presidents of Client Success to help our clients build their seller base quickly and efficiently. As part of our Connect team's North American operation, I liaise with our team in Paris on strategic growth initiatives for our Connect Ecosystem. 

I genuinely love being in the trenches with my team, our clients and sellers, and our Connect leadership, working on ways to ease our seller integrations through better processes and product development.

Any tips for someone considering a career in your field?

It is crucial in a Business Development or a Client Services role to understand your customer's business. You must have a solution-oriented mindset and listen to your customer's needs, pain points, business objectives, and team structure. Only then can you offer up solutions that are tailored to your customer.  

What has differentiated / or separated Mirakl apart from previous companies/positions you’ve worked for in the past? 

The people at Mirakl are some of the most talented and brilliant I've worked with in my career. I am constantly learning from those around me, and there is a level of collaboration I've not witnessed before joining. As for my team, the Seller Recruitment team, they are one of the most passionate groups of individuals I've had the privilege to mentor and lead.  

Day in the Life

Coffee, tea, or nothing?

I love Coffee, and I grew up on tea, so both!

What are three things that motivate you in your role?

• My team
• Satisfying our clients
• Constant innovation

Every day is different, but can you outline what a typical day looks like for you?

A typical day for me starts early, at 6 a.m. I spend time with my birds Poppin and Pokey and then have breakfast with my sister. 

My first work calls start around 8 a.m., several days a  week, so I try to get into the office before or right after! Having a typical “NYC commute” can be the most stressful part of my day, but it is worth it when arriving at our beautiful office space right in the heart of Rockefeller Center.

The majority of my day is spent on zoom calls with my team, my global leadership team in Paris, and my colleagues in the Client Success team.  I enjoy changing my background and scenery by sitting out on several of our rooftop patios- it keeps me moving =) 

When it comes to lunchtime, I love working for a French company because we ensure we step away from our computers and do our best to connect with our colleagues. This break in the work day truly goes a long way to allow mindfulness and the brain to accept that eating is the sole focus! 

My day usually ends around 5:30 p.m. Most nights, I like to wrap dinner up by 8:00 p.m.! 

What’s one part of your day you look forward to the most? 

Early morning, 5:45 a.m to be precise! My Indian Ringneck Parakeet and my Caique parrot are my natural alarm clocks. They ALWAYS wake me up at precisely the same time, and then it’s one hour of uninterrupted birdie time where I get to snuggle with them, teach them new tricks, play music for them, and just live in the moment!

Do you log back in at night or do you shut it down completely?  

I’m a night person, and I love that quiet moment in the night where I can hear myself think. I also have the most clarity at this time of day, and some of my most creative solutions have been conjured up past midnight! 

Any productivity hacks?

As I’ve grown in my career, the most valuable skills I’ve learned are prioritizing and delegating.  

What are apps that you can’t live without?

My weather and health app!

What professional accomplishment are you proudest of?

Launching my own business, which was a retail boutique in Dubai. 

Who do you admire or call upon for professional advice?

My sisters are my most trusted advisors when it comes to any professional guidance.  We all come from very different professions, and collectively, our experiences have exposed us to varied and diverse career challenges.  We have also worked in different markets around the world and have found ways to work effectively with people from different cultures. 

What do the career path and the day-in-the-life look like for a Threat Intelligence Analyst on the Operational Outcomes Team at Recorded Future?

We connected with Diana Granger to find out!

Interested in learning more about Recorded Future and their job openings?  Make sure to check out their company page on VentureFizz!

Where did you grow up?  What did your parents do for work?  

I grew up in Glencoe, IL, a small suburb about 30 minutes north of Chicago. My mom was an electrical engineer and my dad worked in venture capital and business consulting.

Where did you go to college?  What did you study and what were some of your initial jobs out of school?

I went to Wellesley College, where I double majored in Computer Science and Spanish. My first job out of school before coming to Recorded Future was as a security analyst at an investment management firm. 

What has attributed to your success thus far and has helped propel you to the position you have now?

While my degree in Computer Science provided a lot of foundational knowledge, a lot of the technical skills I use day-to-day are things that I learned from on-job-training I received from mentors and colleagues who were willing to invest in me. Additionally, taking opportunities early in my career to solve diverse problems, even if I had limited experience in the subject matter, has made me a well-rounded analyst. 

Can you share the high-level responsibilities of your current position as a Threat Intelligence Analyst on the Operational Outcomes Team at Recorded Future?

My main responsibilities include writing, reviewing, and publishing notes about new and emerging adverserial TTPs (tactics, techniques, and procedures), periodically selecting some of these TTPs for more in-depth analysis, and creating signatures to detect them. I also produce finished intelligence reports requested by our clients covering a wide range of cyber-related topics.

Any tips for someone considering a career in your field?

Training is great, but make sure you make time to practice what you learned even after the training/class/seminar is over. Hands-on, practical experience (or as close as you can get to that) is invaluable.

Day in the Life

Coffee, tea, or nothing?

Black coffee always, 2 cups a day. I’ll add in a cup of tea during the winter.

What time do you start working? 

Around 9:30am.

What are three things that motivate you in your role?

• My supportive and empathetic teammates.
• The super interesting topics I get to research.
• The actionable nature of the work my team does. Most of my research projects culminate in some sort of action item for our clients (mitigation or remediation steps, signatures to detect malicious activity, etc.)

Every day is different, but can you outline what a typical day looks like for you?

• 9 - 9:30: Coffee and breakfast.
• 9:30 - 9:45: Log in and check Slack, email, or ticket notifications. We’re a global company, so sometimes questions or announcements come in overnight. Look over my ongoing assignments and deadlines so I can set priorities for the day and week ahead.
• 9:45-10:30: Time to work! If I have any quick administrative tasks this is when I usually get it done since it’s a shorter work window.
• 10:30-10:45: Team meeting twice a week to check in on the status of ongoing client-requested reports and assign analysts to new requests.
• 10:45 - 12:30: Back to work! This is when I like to get started on more technical research, malware analysis, or tool / malware signature development.
• 12:30 - 1:00: Lunch.
• 1:00-3:00: Back into research. Depending on my assignments for the week, this is when I do a lot of writing or review of my teammates' reports.
• 3:30-4:00: Weekly meeting with the New and Emerging Threats team within Operational Outcomes to go over success metrics, address any process changes, and ask questions.
• 4:00-5:30: Back to research or writing until I can get to a good stopping point, respond to any final Slack messages or emails, and log off for the day.

What time do you typically wrap up the work day? 

Around 5:30pm

Any productivity hacks?

Nothing revolutionary, but I’m a visual person, so Kanban style boards (e.g., Trello) help me prioritize projects and manage competing deadlines. Choosing blocks of time to mute notifications on my devices also helps minimize distractions during tasks that require a lot of focus.

What are the 3 apps that you can’t live without?

• Google Calendar is how I know where I’m supposed to be at any given moment.
• Overcast is my podcast player of choice. I’m one of those people who needs background noise to focus, so I’m pretty much always listening to a comedy / pop culture podcast or music, which brings me to my 3rd app…
• Spotify. My taste in music is all over the place so I make a lot of playlists, but lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Lil Nas X, Lady Gaga, and The Weeknd.

What professional accomplishment are you proudest of?

I had the opportunity to lead a report about Cyber Threats to the Black Community in 2021. It was challenging and way out of my comfort zone, but I’m really proud of the outcome and thankful for the support I received from the analysts that co-wrote the report with me. 

Who do you admire or call upon for professional advice?

My teammates and managers at Recorded Future, both current and former, are some of the kindest and smartest people I know and have given me great advice over the years.

What do the career path and the day-in-the-life look like for a SVP of Product Strategy at Duck Creek?

We connected with Luis Amadeo to find out!

Interested in learning more about Duck Creek and their job openings?  Make sure to check out their company page on VentureFizz!

Where did you grow up?  What did your parents do for work?  

I grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico, specifically in the “parada 18” of the Santurce district (“parada” means bus stop). My mom worked as an analyst for the PR Department of Energy, helping draft energy policy for the island for over 40 years. She is now enjoying her much deserved retirement. My dad taught economics at the University of PR, worked for the PR Department of Transportation, and eventually left all that to follow his passion for cooking - he owned and ran a seafood restaurant for about 30 years before he retired.

Santurce PR, where I was born and raised

Where did you go to college?  What did you study and what were some of your initial jobs out of school?

I went to Cornell University in Ithaca NY, where I got my undergraduate degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. As you can imagine this was a huge culture (and climate) shock for me coming from PR. I loved Cornell though, and all the faculty and friends that helped me pull through those amazing years. 

Cornell University, my alma mater

My first job out of college was as an Aerospace Engineer for Pratt & Whitney in West Palm Beach, FL. I worked in the Combustion Technology Group (R&D), helping advance combustion innovation in the field. My first project was for the US Department of Energy, and involved exploring designs for combustors that would significantly reduce NOx emissions. My second project was for the Department of Defense and was classified, but let’s just say that it was related to a derivative of the F-22 engine. This was in the late 1990’s, and was a very interesting time for technology. Tech was shifting from innovations in industrial manufacturing to innovations in software delivery via the internet.  After three years as an aerospace engineer I decided to make a move for software, specifically web development. I’ve always loved computers and programming since I was a kid (I started programming BASIC with my Apple IIc), and learned Pascal in college, but I had never learned how to build a web app. I went to Barnes & Noble, bought as many books as I could find on software technologies (ANSI C, Java, VB, JavaScript, HTML, SQL Server, ActiveX, Java Applets) and consumed them all.  I was lucky enough to get a consulting job opportunity at a startup in Miami, so I left my job as an aerospace engineer in WPB and took a leap of faith as a software development consultant in Miami, where I currently live. As a consultant I got to gain many skills and learn new software technologies pretty rapidly. After six years as a consultant, and learning how to build custom web apps, Java apps, Oracle, SAP, Siebel, and a lot of other tech, I got a job at Ultimate Software and worked there for 16 years honing my skills as a SaaS technologist, software architect, and product innovator.

Pratt and Whitney combustion tech, where I did aerospace engineering

What has attributed to your success thus far and has helped propel you to the position you have now?

What has attributed to my success has been 1) believing in myself, 2) perseverance, 3) doing the right thing, and 4) luck.  

I was the third, and youngest, of three siblings. As the youngest I got the benefit of learning from my older siblings early on, allowing me to watch and learn many things that I would face later in life from an early age.  I also did a lot of things growing up that helped me shape my confidence through stressful situations. From the age of six I was a musician performing in front of audiences around the world. I took art classes and was never afraid to express myself through art. I trained in Japanese martial arts since middle school, having to face many scary opponents in the dojo and in competitions. In school I pushed myself to take as many AP and advanced classes I could.  Looking back now, I believe all of these things helped me “face my fears”, many times through failure, eventually helping me build enough confidence to apply that level of “can do” attitude and fearlessness at work.  Now let me stress this - it’s not really the past experiences that give me this attribute, it’s the fact that I constantly face my fears that allow me to believe in myself. My past just helped push me. This is constant work. It is never done.

shirinjikempo martial arts

Sanjuan Children's Choir, where I learned music. I am in the center

I am someone that doesn’t give up. I don’t know where this one came from. Maybe it comes from my life experiences - I just simply never give up. There are times when things get really hard and I’m about to “quit”, but something inside of me just never gives up no matter what. That perseverance has actually helped me get through very difficult times at home and at work, and the more I practice it, the easier it becomes to push through hard times.

I strongly believe in always doing the right thing. Many times this is the inconvenient choice, but I know it will always be the choice that will bring positive change for all.  There is no compromise here. Do the right thing, or do not.

Last, I would lie if I wouldn’t recognize that I’ve had a certain amount of luck during my personal and professional life. My parents worked really hard to give me an education that they could barely afford, as well as instill in me the beliefs that help me navigate life and work. I’m married to the love of my life, Sandra, who has supported me like a rock during the ups and down of our marriage and my career.  I’ve also had a lot of people that have believed in me and have mentored me since my early days as a kid running in the streets of San Juan.  My teachers, directors, senseis, counselors, bosses, colleagues, friends - too many to count but looking back at this network of people that have had a direct and positive influence in my journey and opportunities, I have to admit that I’ve been extremely lucky. I’m humbled by their wisdom and eternally grateful to them, as without them, I would not be where I am today.

Can you share the high-level responsibilities of your current position as a SVP of Product Strategy at Duck Creek?

My responsibility at Duck Creek as SVP of Product Strategy is simple: to build, empower, and support a team that helps define the North Star for our products - our product strategy - so that Product Development can innovate and deliver products that meet or surpass our business objectives. More specifically this includes building the most talented team in the industry to achieve this goal, giving them the clarity of vision, tools, and ownership that empower them to excel and grow. I am also responsible to support them in any way shape or form so they can succeed and deliver on their aspirations and goals. In essence, my job is to take care of them so they can take care of others, and the business.

Any tips for someone considering a career in your field?

My advice for someone considering a career in my field is simple: be bold. Every single job that I’ve started anew has had a learning curve. Stepping out of your comfort zone, learning new skills, solving different problems are all part of any new job, in any field. Therefore, be bold and jump in, embracing the learning experience ahead.

One thing that I’ve learned through my life is that all is possible as long as you “face yourself” first and have that internal conversation where you tell yourself “I’ve got this”.  I’ve changed industries and roles many times in my career and there is a common thread that I can share about all those experiences: 1) we have one common job, we are all “Problem Solvers”, and 2) we have one common obstacle, “Our Fears”. Accept those two as a fact, face and embrace them, and you will be successful no matter what career, and what field you decide to embark on.

Day in the Life

Coffee, tea, or nothing?

Coffee 100%. No cream, no sugar.

What time do you start working? 

My first job is being a father, so I start as early as 6:30am helping with breakfast and taking both my kids, Christian and Valentina, to school.  I also take time in the morning to meditate, reflect on what I want to accomplish, and spend some time with my wife Sandra before the day gets too busy.  If all goes as planned, I’m usually online by 8:30am EST.

What are three things that motivate you in your role?

1. Helping others succeed
2. Increasing the value of our products
3. Stretching myself to do things I’ve never done before (especially the hard ones)

Every day is different, but can you outline what a typical day looks like for you?

On Mondays, the first thing I do is write down in my journal the things I want to accomplish during the week. On a daily basis I start the day by assessing my weekly goals, and I mark the things I need to accomplish for the day. This becomes somewhat redundant but it’s important for me because it allows me to “train the muscle” of not overcommitting work while keeping a steady pace of delivering value. It doesn’t always work as planned, but I’m pretty persistent in learning every day how to improve on this. My day is then mostly consumed by meetings, time blocked for me to work on my weekly deliverables, and small breaks in between if allowable. Emails are tough for me as they are for everyone. I’m not a fan of multi-tasking especially when I’m in meetings listening to others, so that means that emails are checked during small breaks and blocked time. Pre-pandemic, I made sure lunch was a ritual: a break and a chance to socialize with my colleagues outside of the office. Post-pandemic we all know that this has changed dramatically, so I try to at least take 20-30 mins to prepare and have lunch away from my computer. This is hard to do, but so important. It’s also a work-in-progress. Around 3pm I have to have my “cafecito” (espresso) break to get a boost. Between 3pm-5pm I’m usually very productive with my weekly goals. This is also the time I use to help with school pick-up or take the kids to appointments. Around 6pm I stop work and head to the kitchen to help prepare dinner so we can sit down and have dinner as a family, which is usually around 7pm.  By the time we’re done cleaning the kitchen as a family, I take a little break to clear my mind and spend time with Sandra, Christian, and Valentina. Around 9pm, if there is something work-related that needs attention, or has been bothering me, I either write down my next actionable steps or ideas in my journal or I get online to do a bit of work. I’m very conscious that I do not want to take away time from my family, so I try hard not to make this a habit.  I’m a fan of getting a good night’s rest so that I can keep my health and have the strength to tackle the next day’s problems. As long as there is not a new Star Wars or Marvel Studios season or movie out, and as long as I’m not behind anything critical at work, I’m usually in bed between 11pm and midnight.

What time do you typically wrap up the work day? 

6pm

Do you log back in at night or do you shut it down completely?  

80% of the time I try to not log back in at night as a selfish and healthy ritual. If I were to spend every evening working, then I would consider that a ‘red flag’. That usually means that there is a problem at work, or with me, that needs fixing - I will make note of that and address. No matter the role, no matter the responsibilities, a scalable and growing business requires everyone to find a good healthy balance of life and work.

Any productivity hacks?

• Learn OS shortcuts. Whether you’re a Windows or Mac user, take some time to learn as much as you can about the latest OS features and the productivity shortcuts that can help accelerate your workflow. You’ll be surprised at what you don’t know once you start discovering.​
• Write your TODOs. Write your weekly tasks/todo’s in a digital or physical journal/notebook. Only commit to what you can do in the week with plenty of buffer for the unknowns.  Don’t write more than 5 attainable things.
• Journal your work. Keep a journal handy so you can write down problems and ideas as they come through your stream of consciousness (your mind). These thoughts may come during meetings or while you’re working on something else. Trust your thoughts and just write them down as they come. Usually they reveal the answer to the problems you’re trying to solve, but you will likely not realize that until later in the week.
• PowerPoint-First. Start a slide deck for anything you MAY NEED to communicate, even if you haven’t been asked to prepare a deck. Start early, right at the moment you start a project. Don’t wait until the end. Avoid writing sentences and just write main concepts that you can talk to right in the deck, even if they’re just ideas of what you want to accomplish. You can always add visuals later. Try to avoid creating a Word doc that you later need to convert to a slice deck - this is a waste of time. This way if you’re asked to talk about your project with little time to prepare, you are not stressing out that you need to prepare. You should ALWAYS have a deck handy for all your work.
• Draw your ideas. Draw on paper and take pictures of them. Sometimes words can’t capture how to solve a problem, or explain how a solution works. Draw your thoughts into shapes that tell a story, or a journey, and refer to them when you are ready to tackle the problem. At the very least, they may help you when you need to communicate your work via a slide deck.
• Seek help early. We don’t know everything and no one expects us to. Ask someone for help during the day. Go to lunch or dinner with someone that may be able to help you. Reach out to your network of friends and colleagues and ask ‘has anyone solved this before?”. 
• Slow down. If you feel you’re working on too many things and are going way too fast, slow down. Take a break and think through what is really most important to the business for the present moment in time. Prioritize your list, reset expectations, and push out work that is not really that critical. When your day is manageable, your mind will be in the best position to think through solutions. When working at a manageable pace, you will work less to accomplish all of your goals.
• Meditate, especially when stressed. Once your mind is overwhelmed it becomes unproductive. Take 20 minutes to do simple breathing exercises, or the meditation of your choice, and then go back to tackle the job. If you can do this daily in the morning prior to work, or at night prior to bed, it will pay you great dividends.
• Sleep at least 7 hours each day. I know this is what doctors recommend but it is very important to remind ourselves of this. It’s ok to stay up or pull an all-nighter every once in a while - we’ve all been there. Just remember that if you do, you have a debt to pay. There is no way to cheat on this one.
• Take PTO. Plan it ahead of time and make sure you maximize your PTO through the year. Travel and get out of your routine world. Not only will you be refreshed and reenergized, but you will learn and gain new ideas and perspectives that will fuel your innovation when you return to work. It’s a win-win.

What are the 3 apps that you can’t live without?

Apple News, Amazon, Netflix

What professional accomplishment are you proudest of?

Using my product, engineering, and architecture leadership skills to help grow a SaaS company from $150M to $1.5B in revenues in 14 years.

Who do you admire or call upon for professional advice?

 Easy answer. My fearless leader, Jess Keeney.

There are many factors that play into one's choice when deciding on what company is the right fit for them, so we decided to dive deep into why PrismHR is a great place to work by asking their team members the question "Why did you join PrismHR and what were the major factors for you?"

Joshua Zuby, Senior Revenue Operations Manager

I have had experience in a number of different industries, and with organizations of different sizes. What I’ve found throughout the years is some companies tend to struggle with maintaining a welcoming and personable work environment, while in growth mode. From my initial interview, all the way up to today, my teammates at EPAY, and Prism as a whole, have shown me an overwhelming level of hospitality. I was looking for a company to work with where there was significant potential for growth and professional improvement, while being able to maintain a good work/life balance. EPAY / Prism has fulfilled both of those requirements in full, and I'm truly excited about being part of this impressive team well into the future.

Jason Ward, Customer Success Manager

I joined Prism HR after 14 years of utilizing and prospering with their software products that lead the PEO industry.  Great software and professional support are staples of what I always received as a customer of Prism HR. So, when it came time for me to look at new opportunities for my career growth, Prism HR was the obvious choice.  With so many talented people whom I have had the pleasure to work with over the years, Prism made me feel right at home when I joined their team as a client success manager.  I feel very lucky to be part of such a great organization.

What do the career path and the day-in-the-life look like for a Principal Data Engineer at Recorded Future?

We connected with Lilian Cheung to find out!

Interested in learning more about Recorded Future and their job openings?  Make sure to check out their company page on VentureFizz!

Where did you go to college?  What did you study and what were some of your initial jobs out of school?

I graduated with a B.S. in mathematics-statistics and economics at the University of Connecticut, then earned a Master's in statistics from North Carolina State University.

Throughout school, I worked on a number of statistical consulting projects. I enjoyed learning about my clients' research projects and picking up new statistical software. My first job outside college was at a startup as part of a small, lean team building fast-paced projects. I loved the startup environment! 

What has contributed to your success and propelled you to the position you have now?

I followed a nonlinear path to reach where I am today. At one point, I wanted to be a teacher. At another, I considered pursuing a career in research and academia. I took time after college to section hike the Appalachian Trail. Hiking the AT, where I embraced the challenge of testing my limits, was a pivotal moment for me. 

90% of what I do involves skills I learned on the job. When I joined Recorded Future, my motivations were to (1) build something that matters, and (2) keep learning. I started as a data engineer, then became a tech lead and senior data scientist. My technical interests and job responsibilities span across data science and data engineering. Every role and every project presents a set of challenges and an opportunity to learn new skills. Each day, I build tools that keep people safe from cyberattacks. Given the world we live in today, cybersecurity is important now more than ever.

Can you share the high-level responsibilities of your current position as a Principal Data Engineer at Recorded Future?

I am an individual contributor and one of the leads on the Data Curation and Quality team. As an individual contributor, my role involves building data pipelines, assessing data quality, and shipping production code. As a lead, my responsibilities include weighing in on technical questions/processes, unblocking team members, and driving technical discussions to ensure each member of the team is well-prepared to access various parts of our internal systems.

What professional accomplishment are you proudest of?

Launching Identity Intelligence: I was one of a handful of engineers on the Data Science team working to launch the Identity module.  As a team, we wrote pipelines to detect leaked credentials and warn clients about data stolen by malware. We needed to move quickly and accurately to prioritize the features most important to clients. The project challenged me to communicate designs, pull together with my teammates, and deliver a new product line under tight deadlines.

Any tips for someone considering a career in your field?

Keep learning. Don't be afraid to find your own way: Hike your own hike. These principles have served me well:

• Do your best every day. 
• Be willing to disagree and commit. Voicing opinions is critical to getting the perspectives needed to reach an optimal solution. Once the team agrees on the solution, execute it to the best of your ability.
• Learn from your teammates. Every one of my coworkers offers unique strengths and approaches to solving a problem. My team pushes me to be a better engineer.
• Have a plan for how to tackle challenges. Driving consensus is much easier with a plan.

Day in the Life

Coffee, tea, or nothing? 

One cup of instant black coffee per day.

Every day is different, but can you outline what a typical day looks like for you?

This is my schedule on a fairly typical Tuesday: 

Between 8:30 am - 9:00 am: Log in. Check Slack messages, emails, tickets, and/or alerts. Set goals for the day. 

9:15 am - 9:30 am: Daily status update in the team standup.

9:30 am - 9:45 am: Status update in a cross-team project standup. There are a couple new requests for mock data from our team. We've already completed the data pipelines; the mock data is one of the last requirements to enable UI tests.

10:00 am - 11:00 am: Team refinement session. The team has 1-2 weekly refinement sessions to discuss ticket requirements and estimate how much time tickets will take to complete. 

11:30 am - 12:00 pm: Meeting with a couple coworkers on a project we're working on. We discuss the remaining work and start reviewing related code from earlier in the pipeline.

12:00 pm - 4:15 pm: Time to code! I tackle the creation/uploading of data discussed earlier to unblock other teams working on the same project.

4:15 pm - 5:00 pm: Data Science team Fika (informal coffee/study break): One of my coworkers introduces an internal tool.

Between 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm: Wrap up tasks and log off for the day.

Any productivity hacks?

Reminders: I use Google Calendar reminders to plan tasks and keep myself on track.

Documentation: Documenting solutions saves so much time when similar problems pop up again.

Building a personal knowledge base: I use Notion and Obsidian to organize useful snippets of information. I regularly refer to these notes when solving technical problems.

What do the career path and the day-in-the-life look like for a Global Director DE&I, Engagement & Culture at Duck Creek Technologies?

We connected with Amy Bayer to find out!

Interested in learning more about Duck Creek Technologies and their job openings?  Make sure to check out their company page on VentureFizz!

Where did you grow up?  What did your parents do for work?  

I grew up in Northern Illinois, about 90 minutes from Chicago. My mom was a nurse and then moved into management roles within the healthcare industry. She initially got her nursing degree, which was typical at the time, and then she went back to school 30 years later to complete her Bachelor of Science degree. I have always been so proud of my mom - she is an excellent role model of professionalism, determination, and resilience.

Where did you go to college?  What did you study and what were some of your initial jobs out of school?

I went to a small liberal arts college in the suburbs of Chicago - Lewis University. I double majored in Human Resources Management and Psychology. I began my freshman year knowing I wanted to work in the Human Resources (HR) field. I have enjoyed my career so far, which has been entirely in HR. Not many people can say they experienced their entire career within the same field they also studied at college. Human Resources has evolved so much over the years. My initial jobs were all in the manufacturing industry. I was a true HR generalist and did everything from recruiting to employee relations, and from benefits to the safety committees. I still remember many of my early learning lessons of do’s and don’ts in HR after all of these years.

What advice can you share that has contributed to your success thus far and has helped propel you to the position you have now?

I once heard this quote, and it has always stuck with me: “there are no elevators to the top; you have to take the stairs every time.” Throughout my career, I have found this to be entirely true. It is so critical to take every step so you can learn as you go, and there are no fast passes for life experiences and wisdom. I can be very impatient, and I have had to learn this lesson repeatedly. It is important to have patience and appreciation for where you are in your career journey -success will not always be linear. Every role throughout my career has had key learnings and takeaways that have helped me get to where I am today.

Can you share the high-level responsibilities of your current position as Global Director, DE&I, Engagement, and Culture at Duck Creek Technologies?

I am responsible for developing, leading, and executing the DE&I (diversity, equity and inclusion), engagement, and culture strategy. I create enriching and engaging programs for all employees across the global organization. I strive to help drive the employee experience, shape the workplace culture, and build the corporate strategy of fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture that instills a sense of belonging.

Any tips for someone considering a career in your field?

Some of the greatest success I have had in my career is never being afraid to reinvent myself and jumping into situations feet first. Be open to learning from different experiences, people, and places. Get wrapped up in learning from a podcast or a book, or even go back to school and take a class or get a certificate or degree. At work, raise your hand for projects and propose new ideas or roles within your team. Lean into putting yourself out there, being vulnerable, and feeling uncomfortable. Dream big. The payoff will be well worth it.  

Day in the Life

Coffee, tea, or nothing? 

Coffee. I start my day by working out and then grabbing a coffee from Starbucks. I either take some time to reflect on my day or week ahead, or I take the coffee with me on a walk while listening to a podcast.

What time do you start working? 

I typically start anywhere between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. or earlier; it will just depend on the day and my meetings. We are a global company and I need to be flexible in meeting and collaborating with our teams in different time zones.  Morning hours are ideal for meetings, planning, and collaboration with our colleagues in Europe, Asia, and Australia.

What are three things that motivate you in your role? 

So many things motivate me! I genuinely love what I do and I love working at Duck Creek. If I had to narrow it down to just three things that motivate me, I would say:  I am given the independence to make decisions and build the DE&I, Engagement and Culture strategy and department, I have a leader who trusts me and I trust her, and I get to dream big and try new ideas.  Courtney Townsend, Duck Creek’s Chief People Officer, has been incredibly supportive of me yet challenges me in positive ways. She is the perfect leader for me.

Every day is different, but can you outline what a typical day looks like for you?

A typical day involves a lot of planning and collaborative meetings on new initiatives and DE&I programming. Another portion of my day consists of listening, observing, and keeping my ear to the ground. I need to have a good handle on what employees are feeling and experiencing. I have a no-door policy - I want to gather feedback and make myself accessible and learn as much as possible the organization and people.

What time do you typically wrap up the workday? 

I struggle with the “wrap-up” part of the workday. Over this past year, I have spent so much time building this department and creating programs and employee councils, etc. Everything we now have in place has been created by our dedicated team. The work I get to experience and undertake is so fulfilling and I enjoy investing my time in it because, in the long run, I know my efforts will all pay off.  

Do you log back in at night or do you shut it down completely?  

Typically, my husband and I cook dinner together and we eat as a family. Then, I usually go back and either finish some work for a couple of hours to set myself up for success for the next day, or I have schoolwork to do. I am also currently pursuing a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.

Any productivity hacks?

Understanding your energy levels and knowing when to accomplish specific tasks is very helpful. My energy is the highest in the morning and I typically schedule the most complex or most detailed task then. I also think it is important to understand what tasks are draining to you or not energizing. Of course, there are some parts of our jobs we cannot completely avoid. The key is to be mindful of those draining tasks and figure out how to work best to accomplish them. Sage Milton, Duck Creek’s Social Impact lead, and I schedule a live Teams call to work on some of our more detailed duties. We work independently on the call, which helps us stay motivated and accountable for finishing the tasks we have been avoiding. 

What are the three apps that you can’t live without?

I do not think I can narrow it down to three, so I listed four apps that I can’t live without: the Mindbody app (since I am a planner I love to schedule my exercise classes), the Calendar app (yes, I love to plan and prepare), the Amazon Kindle app (I am a confessed book nerd), and lastly the Spotify app (so I can listen to more podcasts).  

What professional accomplishment are you proudest of?

I am most proud that I have been able to return to the workforce 3½ years ago after taking a break to be a full-time parent for ten years. I felt like I had started all over and lacked confidence in myself.  I had wrapped up my identity in my kids and husband. As my kids grew older and needed me less, I did not know who I was anymore, what I was passionate about, and what gave me joy. Coming back to the workforce was an incredibly humbling experience. I have stretched myself over the last year, achieved some of my career goals, and returned to school.

Who do you admire or call upon for professional advice?

I have a couple of colleagues that I have worked with professionally in the last few years who I admire and call upon for professional advice: Katelyn David and Martine Williams to name a couple. I admire both for so many reasons. I have learned from them, and they have inspired me to do better. They have given me excellent advice and gentle nudging when I needed it most. They have always been encouraging and supportive. Everyone needs a Katelyn or Martine in their life.

What do the career path and the day-in-the-life look like for a Team Lead and Enterprise Account Executive at Zoominfo?

We connected with Carolyn Murray to find out!

Interested in learning more about Zoominfo and their job openings?  Make sure to check out their company page on VentureFizz!

Where did you grow up?  What did your parents do for work?  

I grew up in Vancouver, WA, a suburb outside of Portland which is now home to ZoomInfo.  My mom retired this year after a successful career in Customer Service at our local utility company (30+ years with the same company, go Mom!).  My dad is still hard at work as a VP of Wealth Management at an investment firm in Portland.  Persuading him to retire is a full-time job.

Where did you go to college?  What did you study and what were some of your initial jobs out of school?

I graduated from Gonzaga University with a degree in Business Administration and Spanish (Go Zags!).  One year of that was spent abroad at Universitat Ramon Llull in Barcelona – not a lot of school was happening there – but I’d like to think that’s where I gained more of my “real life” experience and of course, my student loans.

After graduation, I spent 3 months riding a bike across the United States with my [now] husband before jumping into the job market.

Aside from a college degree, I had hardly any experience at the time: a job at a bakery, a sub shop, and a closed captioning gig. I spent over 6 months applying for roles I wasn’t qualified for and hitting dead end roads before discovering ZoomInfo (previously DiscoverOrg) who gave me a shot.

What has attributed to your success thus far and has helped propel you to the position you have now?

Surrounding myself with smart, supportive, and ambitious people.  Having something to prove, always.  Maintaining a healthy balance of hard work and play.  I try my hardest to be the person that other people want to work with and can rely on – I want my peers to know that I’ll do a good job and have their backs; respect and loyalty are important to me in my work.

Can you share the high-level responsibilities of your current position as a Team Lead & Account Executive at Zoominfo?

I’m currently managing a small team of experienced sales reps while also carrying a quota.  Main responsibilities are driving new business sales in the Enterprise category, call coaching and deal guidance, forecasting, and reporting for management.

Any comments for someone considering a career in your field?

You’ll be better for it – I promise!

Sales has a reputation for being unforgiving but believe me when I say – it’s truly not as scary as it looks;  the reward far outweighs the effort.

Rejection is a natural part of the job but less frequent than you think.  Good companies invest in great technology to support their sales team and it allows for more of “the fun part” (actually talking to interested customers) and less of the “not fun part” (getting shut down).

New Business Sales is an especially great place to start your sales career because – to quote How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days – “You can’t lose something you never had.” 

Day in the Life

Coffee, tea, or nothing?

Drip in the morning, double espresso in the afternoon.  Every once in a while, a Guava Matcha from Tea Bar in Portland - the best!

What time do you start working? 

The second I roll out of bed...  I’m working on it.

What are three things that motivate you in your role?

1. The leaderboard
2. My team’s happiness - I want them to genuinely enjoy their work and it pushes me to be a better mentor
3. Financial freedom and R&R:  let’s be real, I’d be traveling and drinking wine with my friends 24/7 if I had it my way.  Exceeding expectations at work means more flexibility in my personal life and a level head (i.e. not panicking at end of quarter).

Every day is different, but can you outline what a typical day looks like for you?

3-4 New customer meetings for my own pipeline, 1-2 customer meetings that I join as a manager for my team, and the rest spent across pipeline management, admin work, internal meetings, coaching,etc..

What time do you typically wrap up the work day? 

I try to take a hard stop around 5:30 - 6 and if need be, I’ll jump back online to wrap up final to-do’s around 10 pm.  

Do you log back in at night or do you shut it down completely?  

Speaking for most of my colleagues, we’re never truly checked out – that is one downside to sales – but I’m getting better at prioritizing what genuinely warrants a response after working hours vs. what can wait.  That said, I’m a big believer that talking to customers in the off-hours or in a non-traditional setting (like a call while on the road) makes for a much more natural and fun conversation.

Any productivity hacks?

• Write it down.  ON PAPER.  Everyone likes crossing things off a list.
• Change scenery.  Move your body.  Listen to a podcast in the morning.  Get your mind right!
• Pick up the phone instead of writing an email.  The more you do it at work, the more you’ll find yourself doing it in your personal life.  I’m horrible with texting but live on the phone!

What are the 3 apps that you can’t live without?

1. Apple Podcasts:  I literally live there.  If I could, I’d be listening to psychology or health and wellness podcasts all day every day.
2. ZoomInfo:  I don’t think I’d have a job if I didn’t say that.
3. Instagram:  cooking reels, design inspo, dogs, my next vacation.

What professional accomplishments are you proudest of?

• Witnessing the success of my team as a manager
• Being a part of an unprecedented IPO
• Starting from zero experience to where I am today – all with one company

Who do you admire or call upon for professional advice?

My family.  My sister, my parents, my husband – they remind me of the big picture and what I’m working toward.

What do the career path and the day-in-the-life look like for a VP of Customer Success at Paperless Parts?

We connected with Katharine Libby to find out!

Interested in learning more about Paperless Parts and their job openings?  Make sure to check out their company page on VentureFizz!

Where did you grow up?  What did your parents do for work?  

I grew up in a small town in central Massachusetts, Westborough.  I was lucky enough to grow up with a stay at home mom until I was in about 3rd grade when she went back and was the Director of Admissions at Tufts Veterinary Medical school and then worked at Becker College before moving to NH.  She worked as a store manager for a boutique until she recently retired.  My dad was in sales for lawn equipment and then for Kodak and recently moved on to focus on his passion, small contracting work. 

Where did you go to college?  What did you study and what were some of your initial jobs out of school?

I went to Keene State College and played field hockey there.  I studied Occupational Safety and Health Management with a minor in psychology.  I wanted to work in lost prevention for insurance but ended up taking a job with Unum insurance as an Individual Disability Benefit Specialist, managing claims.  It taught me so much about customer communication and dealing with difficult situations. 

What has attributed to your success thus far and has helped propel you to the position you have now?

Great personal pride in my career and wanting to be independently successful as a female leader.  Now that I am a mother, I want to provide a great life for my daughter and also be a great example for her. 

I was lucky to have leaders that gave me the opportunity to take on projects that extended outside of my experience and that led through influence and teaching.  I was always a hard worker but when I transitioned into the technology world, I had great leadership that helped coach me and gave me opportunities to work on projects that helped grow my responsibilities.  I also attribute my success to strong relationships, not just within my department/group but across the organization. 

Can you share the high-level responsibilities of your current position as a VP of Customer Success at Paperless Parts?

I am responsible for customer success post implementation/onboarding.  That means that when our implementation team finishes onboarding them, the customer success managers take over to ensure we are driving adoption, utilization, and maintain a high retention rate.   I also oversee the support group.

I am responsible for customer retention, setting strategy and building processes for our Customer Success and Support teams, hiring and developing great talent, and partnering with the other leaders to deliver on our company objectives. 

Any tips for someone considering a career in your field?

Always be balanced in your evaluation of customer needs, but never lose sight of the customer.  Customers truly don’t want a “yes” person.

Day in the Life

Coffee, tea, or nothing?

Coffee, always. 

What time do you start working? 

It varies, but I am usually fully online by 8:30am after we get the little one out the door.

What are three things that motivate you in your role?

Delivering amazing experiences for our customers, the people on my team - help them be successful, opportunity to innovate and make a material difference.

Every day is different, but can you outline what a typical day looks like for you?

Combination of working on process, documentation, and collaboration with other leaders to move my team and company objectives forward, meeting with customers, meeting with my team members, reviewing our system data to understand customer status and team deliverables. 

What time do you typically wrap up the work day? 

It varies day to day.  If I am on daycare pick up, it’s 5pm and then I wrap up anything that needs to be done for the day after Vivi goes to bed.  Between 5:30 and 6pm on the days I am not on pick up.  

Do you log back in at night or do you shut it down completely?  

See above :)  I shut it down completely from dinner to bedtime.  Dinner is family time and I love to cook for my family!

Any productivity hacks?

I put my 1:1 and team meetings on the same day - I bubble up themes that are relevant to the team.   

Block your calendar with the actual tasks you want to accomplish in that time and stick to it! (silence email during that time) 

What are the 3 apps that you can’t live without?

Evernote, My Bright Day (need those updates on the little one), Asana 

What professional accomplishment are you proudest of?

I will put two here:

1. There is no greater accomplishment than seeing the people you hire into an organization get promoted.  I see the previous leadership team that worked for me at Acquia and I am so proud of the impact they have made for the company and the very well deserved promotions they have received.
2. Being promoted to VP of Customer Success at Acquia and navigating that promotion as a new mom! 

Who do you admire or call upon for professional advice?

I have a personal “board of directors” - it consists of someone who tells me what I want to hear, someone who will tell me what I need to hear, and someone that is in the middle that I brainstorm with.  I am extremely lucky to have many people I have worked with that I admire and respect that I can call on for advice at any time. These individuals are previous Account Management / Customer Success leaders I have worked for and senior leaders from other departments like finance, services, support and operations. 

I am also very lucky to have a husband that works in technology and understands the challenges I face.  He is a great sounding board!

What do the career path and the day-in-the-life look like for a Sr. Customer Engineer at Vestmark?

We connected with Michael Gallagher to find out!

Interested in learning more about Vestmark and their job openings?  Make sure to check out their company page on VentureFizz!

Where did you grow up?  What did your parents do for work?  

I grew up in Topsfield Massachusetts. My dad worked as a Global Commodity Manager and my mom worked part time doing outside sales for a Machine Tooling and Abrasives company.

Where did you go to college?  What did you study and what were some of your initial jobs out of school?

I graduated from Salem State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, I took a lot of Computer Science classes in addition to the standard business curriculum. I was lucky enough to intern at Vestmark all four years of my college career and was hired full-time to the Production Support team right after I graduated. 

What has attributed to your success thus far and has helped propel you to the position you have now?

My role as an intern on the support team was key in propelling me into the position I have now. Working as an intern I feel I was able to grow with the company, which gave me a good foundation and understanding of how Vestmark operates. By doing the groundwork during college, I was able to build relationships with people in various departments throughout Vestmark. This allowed me to gain experience in the Vestmark software and gain knowledge of the soft skills needed to thrive in the real world. My education, experience and training has given me the opportunity to be trusted with large tasks early in my career. This type of exposure has helped me build the foundation that allowed me to flourish once I became a full-time employee. 

Can you share the high-level responsibilities of your current position as a Sr. Customer Engineer at Vestmark?

I work on an Agile Scrum team that onboards new clients and tailors the Vestmark software to meet their business needs. I work with our internal team as well as client representatives to efficiently deliver these solutions.

Any tips for someone considering a career in your field?

Establish good working relationships with your peers, I wouldn’t be where I am today if I wasn’t surrounded by great people who want to do things the “Right Way” and are willing to share their knowledge and experience. It's priceless to be able to have a group of people you can trust to bounce questions off of and who will challenge you to be better. Having this type of group of people helps build confidence and increases the quality of the work and product that you deliver. Once you’ve been built up to be a real contributor, it's equally as important to return the favor to the next new hire. This allows for a solid network to be built, and you really find out how much you know about a topic once you try to teach it to someone new. I believe that having these relationships will help you succeed and make the work you do more enjoyable. 

Day in the Life

Coffee, tea, or nothing?

One coffee in the morning and another after lunch. 

What time do you start working? 

When I’m working from home, I start my day around 8 AM, but when I head into the office it may be closer to 9 AM. 

What are three things that motivate you in your role?

Customer satisfaction, being a great teammate, and continuing to grow my own knowledge and learn new skills.

Every day is different, but can you outline what a typical day looks like for you?

First, I log in and check messages and review my assigned tasks for the sprint. Then I meet with my team for our stand up at 9 AM. From there, I work on my assigned stories for the rest of the morning or until the next meeting with our scrum team in the afternoon. The customer engineers usually have daily touch point to review where we each are with the work assigned and plan out the best next steps. 

What time do you typically wrap up the work day? 

My typical workday usually ends between 5:30 and 6 PM depending on when I can find a good stopping point for the day.

Do you log back in at night or do you shut it down completely?  

I try to shut it down completely on a normal day. Of course, there are some nights and weekends where I need to stay engaged. Notice this work ahead of time helps manage the work life balance. 

Any productivity hacks?

I try to keep my mind fresh with different types of puzzles and problem-solving games. Something simple like a daily Wordle or Sudoku or even a 1000+ piece puzzle at night with my fiancé. I find it helpful to challenge myself in different ways as it leads me to approach problems in my day-to-day with a new train of thought. 

What are the 3 apps that you can’t live without?

Zoom, Slack, and BitBucket

What professional accomplishment are you proudest of?

Being able to transition from my role in Production Support to being a Customer Engineer is my proudest accomplishment to date. I had to step out of my comfort zone, away from the team I had worked with for so long, and away from my manager whom I still have a great relationship with. There were a lot of unknowns to this career change, but I evaluated my options and after a few days of going back and forth and restless nights I decided to take the leap and try to establish myself in a new department. I still have a way to go to get myself to where I want to be but so far, I have been able to make the most of my opportunity. It is the willingness to step out of my comfort zone and trust in my own ability that I am most proud of.

Who do you admire or call upon for professional advice?

As I stated above, I have a great group of people I work with every day and many of whom I admire but the first person I always ask for advice is my dad. Although he works in a different industry, he’s always able to understand the issue I’m facing and can relate stories from his work experience. He can’t solve the issue at hand but sometimes him asking “Well did you talk to a subject matter expert?” or just giving me a story that will make me laugh and provides the reassurance that I have good judgment and I can trust in my knowledge and experience.  I truly appreciate and admire my dad and without his help and encouragement, I wouldn’t be where I am today.