- Fun Facts:
- I love traveling—I have one continent left and that’s Antarctica! Black-and-white musical films are my favorite. I am a happy, not hypercritical foodie who enjoys eating around the Bay Area.
What initially drew you to apply to work at Medallia?
The job description online really appealed to me. It suggested a broad role that would require both technical and communication skills—use both sides of the brain. Also, it was very much an open-ended role. It didn’t restrict what you could do in the future, which is good if you are a new grad and don’t yet know exactly what you want to do with your life.
What other opportunities and fields were you considering?
I had offers as a Java developer, sales and marketing lead for a startup, and a sales engineer.
Why did you ultimately choose Medallia?
The people. From the top down, the people I interviewed with impressed me with their enthusiasm, their values, what they said they were looking for, and what they had experienced working here.
How has your experience measured up to your expectations? What surprised you or has surprised you over time?
I have been surprised by the variety of my work. When you interview, they tell you that you can take many paths and shape the role yourself. But you don’t really believe that until you get here. At Medallia, there’s always the opportunity to learn new skills. Your managers let you try things that wouldn’t necessarily seem to be a natural fit based on your background or resume.
Another happy surprise was just how close we are to the technology—how much our ideas can really shape the direction of the product.
How does your experience at Medallia compare to your friends’ experiences in other jobs?
I’m definitely happier with my work life than friends who work in environments that are not as dynamic or fast-paced. I have freedom and flexibility, and I really feel like my work has an impact on the company’s future.
How would you describe your responsibilities at Medallia?
I would describe them as hard to describe, and that’s a good thing. There’s enough variety that you can’t do justice to it in a sentence or two. There are so many kinds of things you get to experience and try your hand at.
What was your job prior to Medallia?
I was pursuing a Ph.D. and teaching English, following receiving a dual degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and in Literature from MIT.
What are some similarities/differences between your past and current roles?
This role has a lot in common with teaching—it’s all about sharing your passion for subject matter with other people. But there’s much more of a team environment here, which I really enjoy. And the energy of the people around me is unlike at any of the other companies I’ve worked at.
What is the best thing about working at Medallia?
Wanting to get up in the morning and come to work every day. Liking the people. Looking forward to new problems to solve. Being excited about where the company is headed.
How would you describe Medallia to your friends? What would you want them to know about Medallia?
We’ve got all of the pleasures of a startup environment—fun, openness, free food, relaxed but hardworking people—with the health care and benefits of a larger firm. And our product has real, positive purpose.
