Jessica Sahl

What are the education or qualification requirements for this career? 

My graduate work in business prepared me for leadership and strategy. Through my role at the Chester County Intermediate Unit, I led projects for large-scale networks which helped me prepare for my role as the Executive Director of Chesconet.

Describe your typical day.

Building relationships is a key part of my role. This requires daily attendance in meetings and regular communication with customers and staff. I also manage processes and projects.

What types of coursework or concepts did you study to prepare for this career? 

My undergraduate degree is in Cultural Anthropology. This gives me a lens for looking at systems and culture which is crucial in business. My business coursework strengthened my skills for managing complex issues. Being tech savvy and having a growth mindset has enabled me to expand my skills and learn in every role I’ve had.

How are you seeing your career changing? 

Technology is more user-friendly, but it is still complex. As a result, customer needs are always evolving.

How are you using artificial intelligence?

I am using AI at work for cleaning up communications and creating diagrams for presentations. For my dissertation, I use AI for data analytics and thematic analysis.

What are the three most important skills for your career? 

1. Customer service

2. Communication

3. Active listening

What is one of the biggest surprises about your career? 

My background is in social science and I now oversee a technology team and internet company.