1. What was
your major/minor and when did you graduate?
I majored in Business Administration and I graduated in 2017.
2. What is your current position (title, company, location)? Can you describe a typical day?
I am a Customer Success Engineer at a company called ROI Training in New York. I work with Google Cloud customers on a daily basis building out customized technical training plans to upskill and reskill workforces on Google Cloud technologies.
3. How did your major prepare you for your current job?
I learned to market myself and take advantage of every opportunity.
4. How did you become interested in your field?
Actually, I think the interest came after I entered the field. Working closely with the Google Cloud team, I started to understand the impact these technologies had not only on companies, but people and our everyday lives.
5. What’s the best career advice you ever received?
Never sell yourself short.
6. Was there a professor, advisor, or fellow student who made an impression on you or helped you when you were at UMW?
Definitely.
Woody: Made me understand checking my own bias. The first time I took a class with him he started introducing himself with a deeply southern accent. I thought, “Fine, but this guy will be old school.” I did not expect him to then ask us all to write down our preferred pronoun on a notecard. I still tell people about that.
Steve Greenlaw: He pushed me to be better. He always had time for students who cared to learn. You could tell teaching was passionwork for him.
Chris Garcia: Pushed me to be my best. I only took one class with him (a summer data analytics course) but I’ve never felt better about a subject. He was awesome.
Marcelo Fajardo-Cardenas: I’m not sure he’d even remember me, but he made a huge impact on me. Again, I only took one course with him, but he encouraged me every week to be the best version of myself and to persevere.
Dr. Kim Gower: I think everyone can agree she’s awesome. She absolutely pushes all of her students to be the best versions of themselves inside and outside of academics. She’s a critical part of the College of Business.
7. What’s your fondest memory of UMW?
My fondest memory is honestly being in class. In all transparency, I had to work full time while taking more than a full load of courses so I wasn’t involved at all in extracurriculars. However, I absolutely loved being in class. The faculty at UMW is completely unmatched. Having the opportunity to learn and interact with that level of talent was invaluable.
8. Are there any special accomplishments you’ve achieved after college that you’d like to share?
I somehow managed to find a career that incorporates all of my passions; travel, working with people, and creativity. That’s a huge accomplishment to me.
9. How would your family or friends describe you in seven words or less?
I asked my friends and family on this one. They came back with:
Ambitious, adventurous, independent, open-minded, empathetic, motivated, and a risk-taker
10. In one sentence, what advice would you give current business students?
Take every opportunity and don’t ever consider something “out of reach.”
