Tell us a bit about yourself and what you're up to now
I was a sociology major at Bowdoin College before joining Navattic as an Account Executive. I'm now on the customer success team helping scale our self-serve onboarding experience. Outside of work I enjoy reading, spending time in green spaces, concerts, and playing in a slowpitch softball league!
What was your journey into a career in Tech Sales
I joined the tech world directly out of college. I explored a few different tech roles when I initiated my job search, but ended up applying to jobs across many industries. I had the great fortune of receiving a note directly from my soon-to-be boss on a platform called Handshake, which is what led me to my current role.
What would you say are the best things about working in Tech Sales
I really enjoy the parallel autonomy and collaboration in my role. I have my team's trust to see projects through independently, but am encouraged to share knowledge and ask for help at the same time. This team culture creates a really powerful machine oiled by quick iterations, idea sharing, and the ability to fail fast. Things move super quickly in tech, and it's so powerful to find a team that balances quick wins with long-term knowledge sharing and process building to ensure we can scale sustainably.
If you are a quick thinker, an advocate, or an initiator, those types of skills transfer super well to any role in tech. Whether it's sales, marketing, or product, it is so important to actively listen to customer needs, quickly create a plan, and test it. The skills I've learned while working in tech carry over into every part of my life, professional or not.
What advice would you give to someone who is just about to start their career in sales
Trust yourself and never stop learning. Imposter syndrome can be extremely imposing, especially when first starting in tech. Being curious and willing to learn will get you far! Finding a community like Tangent can be helpful to connect with other people from similar backgrounds who are breaking into tech as well.
Why did you decide to join Tangent as a Mentor and why should others join as Mentors too
I come from a small town and a community that is built on supporting others. The tech industry can be a bit of a black box for people trying to break in, and the chance to help others enter the industry is something I don't take lightly. Tangent provides an amazing opportunity to support others who might not have the resources or the courage to go at it on their own. If you have the capacity to help, I highly suggest you try it!
Ready to make a difference?
A few hours a month, a lifetime of impact. Tangent connects you with aspiring Business Development Reps from socially diverse backgrounds for short-term mentoring and an employee referral.
Sign up to be a Tangent Mentor today 👇
