- Fun Facts:
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I read a lot of food blogs and then like to try out things I read about in my own kitchen.
Living in California allows for easy access to lots of scenic places to hike, both nearby and on the West Coast in general. We just went to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks for Thanksgiving, and I fulfilled a decade-long dream of visiting the San Juan Islands in Washington a few months ago.
Childhood pets: A wonderful cocker spaniel named Winnie.
What initially drew you to apply to work at Medallia?
I came across Medallia by chance as I was nearing the end of my two years at business school. Prior to school, I worked at a small consulting firm. While I liked working with clients at a small company, toward the end of my time in consulting I started to tire of the lack of continuity that can occur when the job is designed to be very project-based.
I decided that after graduating, I wanted to work for a small software company in Silicon Valley—small because I had enjoyed working at small companies in the past, software because I liked the pace with which the industry moves (especially if you are working somewhere small), and Silicon Valley because I had always enjoyed my Northern California vacations. I wanted to be somewhere where the company’s product was a big focus and provided continuity for the employees’ work. One of the tech-centered mailing lists at my school had a job posting from Medallia, and I liked what I read about the product and the company. My background in client management was fitting, and when I interviewed, I really liked everybody I met with. At that point, I knew it was a good match.
What other opportunities and fields were you considering?
I was briefly considering jobs at some larger tech firms, but in the end decided that a smaller, more family-like company was more appealing.
Why did you ultimately choose Medallia?
See above.
How has your experience measured up to your expectations? What surprised you or has surprised you over time?
My first impression of Medallia was completely on target—everyone is great here. As far as my experience, it has measured up to and exceeded my expectations in all respects, but especially in terms of the company culture and the positive attitude with which people interact with one another.
I had pretty high expectations, and I got a really strong, positive feeling from the beginning, so there weren’t any major surprises.
How does your experience at Medallia compare to your friends’ experiences in other jobs?
To an extent, see above. When I talk to my business school classmates, I feel extremely fortunate to have chosen to work at Medallia. I’m really happy with the job, with the culture, and with how things are done around here. That’s not the case for everyone I know.
How would you describe your responsibilities at Medallia?
My responsibilities include a mix of talking with our customers to figure out what their business needs are, deciding how best to configure our software to fulfill those needs, and then working through implementing the solutions that my team and I come up with. It’s also exciting to work on various internal initiatives to support our company’s rapid growth.
What was your job prior to Medallia?
Before coming to Medallia, I got my MBA at MIT Sloan School of Management. Prior to that, I worked at two small consulting firms on the East Coast.
What are some similarities/differences between your past and current roles?
They are similar in that I am working in a client-facing role. In consulting, however, our goal was different in that we were required to perform analysis to answer a question that a client had posed to us. At Medallia, we deliver a product that is configured to directly address specific client needs.
What is the best thing about working at Medallia?
The best things about working at Medallia are the people, the culture, the speed with which we can get things done, the lack of formality, and the absence of bureaucracy. Also, our wonderful HR team plans fun events for us, and we have a beautiful office.
How would you describe Medallia to your friends? What would you want them to know about Medallia?
It’s a great place to work, and the culture is awesome. It’s a place I enjoy coming to every day, and my colleagues seem to feel the same way 99+% of the time.
