Computer/Technology

A Day In the Life of an AI Product Manager/Software Engineer

Work remotely for a company called Docusign. Leads the development of AI-powered software products. Talks mainly to customers about the docusign products and works on developing architecture and software design. Docusign is a company that makes signatures and contracts more efficient through digital software and large AI. 

Educational Pathway

Went to a 4-year college and majored in computer engineering. No further education required, and the major chosen directly applies to the job. 

Characteristics/Skills/Inspiration

Strong analytical, math, and problem-solving skills and had strong interest in learning how to build things and how things worked digitally. You need all those skills for this profession.

Pros and Cons 

Pros: very interesting and diverse content and work, you can contribute to building products that impact millions of people, very good pay and job outlook (career growth) 

Cons: can be technically challenging, can require long work hours and intense work loads, lots of time in front of a screen! 

Biggest Challenge Faced In Getting Where They Are Today - How did they overcome it?

Biggest challenge was transitioning from an engineer-based occupation with working on the products, to the leader of teams, which is a difficult position. At some point when you grow as a software engineer, you move from the people working on these products to the people overseeing and managing them, and that transition can be hard. Overcame this challenge by staying confident and staying true to your values. 

Advice For One Pursuing this Career

Focus on majoring in computer science and computer engineering in college to get on the right path to this profession. Also take courses in AI. Never stop learning and want to learn new things related to the field. It will help you go a long way. They should expect to work hard, long hours earlier in career, and get opportunities to take part in building exciting new technologies. 

Extra Notes/Interesting Facts

Went back to school in his 40s to get his masters. Never to late to learn! 

A Day In the Life of a System Analyst

I am a project manager. I manage a team of 9 developers and data base engineers who build data base system. I set up task priorities, work flow, schedules. I conduct system requirements review and analysis. 

Educational Pathway

Masters in Instructional Design and Technology from CSUMB 

Characteristics/Skills/Inspiration

An analytical mind, attention to detail, management skills. The technical knowledge was developed on the job. 

Pros and Cons 

Pros: I work from home. I enjoy being part of a team building smart systems for our clients, I love the analytical part of the job when you determine how to optimize a function of a software or application 

Cons: I work from home, it could be a bit boring and isolating. It requires serious strong vision to analyze code at times, long sitting hours infront of the computer. Not good for the body. 

Biggest Challenge Faced In Getting Where They Are Today - How did they overcome it?

Being a female in a male dominated environment can be challenging. I worked on my skills and confidence to establish myself as a strong candidate to run the team. 

Advice For One Pursuing this Career

To try look into different subjects before ruling out what you should consider. I never knew I could be a technical person till I tried it. It took me 30 years to discover it. I wish I had considered it sooner. 

Extra Notes/Interesting Facts

Explore programs before you make your final decision. Take your time determining your major. No rush if you’re not sure yet. 

A Day In the Life of Outside Sales

Prospect, cold call, evaluate, demo, build business cases, build relationships and close business 

Educational Pathway

BS Advertising took 4 years and Theatre minor in acting. Acting helped in supporting the emotional intelligence for my job and developing my personal brand 

Characteristics/Skills/Inspiration

You must be hard working and can't give up when you get into a sales slump. You have to have emotional intelligence, confidence and a positive mindset. 

Pros and Cons 

Pros: extremely lucrative, great for networking and your future, allows you to control your life/future by the financial opportunity.  

Cons: taxing on your brain and can be extremely draining, hard to find balance if you don't manage your time properly, quota based work gives less job protection 

Biggest Challenge Faced In Getting Where They Are Today - How did they overcome it?

Getting into the tech industry. If you can get in, you will be well equipped and set up for success. Sales throws you into the deep end and you have to learn to swim. This job challenges how productive you can be while being self managed. Everything has been overcome with good discipline. Discipline = Freedom. 

Advice For One Pursuing this Career

Drink through a fire hose as fast as possible. The faster you can plant your feet in the industry, the faster you will start selling. Always be ready to learn and only do good business. If you are doing shady/bad business- don't work in sales! 

Extra Notes/Interesting Facts

Sales is a great career and I highly recommend it for anyone who is driven financially and loves a good challenge! 

A Day In the Life of an Enterprise Account Executive

Sell software to existing customers in healthcare industry.  Work 40+ hours a week remotely. 

Educational Pathway

Bachelors degree (Marketing - Business School) from University of Utah.  5 years.  What I studied in college helped me choose this career path. 

Characteristics/Skills/Inspiration

Outgoing.  Smart.  Detailed oriented.  Organized.  Manage Pressure.  

Pros and Cons 

Pros: Earning potential.  Travel.  Manage my own schedule. 

Cons: High stress.  Difficult.  Ups and Downs 

Biggest Challenge Faced In Getting Where They Are Today - How did they overcome it?

Believing in myself. Having a mentor.  

Advice For One Pursuing this Career

Be opened minded.  What you study in college doesn’t always lead to a career in that field / discipline. 

A Day In the Life of a Strategic Account Executive

Work with healthcare customers to help them achieve there mission with the help of technology 

Educational Pathway

Bachelor of Arts in public health plus a philosophy minor, and a Masters  of Science in healthcare administration. 

Characteristics/Skills/Inspiration

I wanted to help people be healthy and improve  the state of healthcare delivery in this country.  You need to know how to listen, solve problems, have passion and patience. 

Pros and Cons 

Pros: interacting with really smart people, seeing real outcomes and  improvements, freedom to work from home and travel 

Cons: rejection is hard, dealing with politics, being viewed as a “salesperson” 

Biggest Challenge Faced In Getting Where They Are Today - How did they overcome it?

Constantly having to pick yourself up when you fail.  When you have a passion you realize there’s always lessons to be learned and you move on. 

Advice For One Pursuing this Career

Be open-minded, cling to what interests you, find something that when you wake-up you want to dig into