Many of us have not taken a direct route to get to where we are in our careers today, nor should we expect a circuitous route to suddenly become straight once we’ve landed at JMP. We want employees to know they can move from one type of role at JMP to another! But making a big transition is not always easy so we want to gather stories from you; we want to learn how you moved around in your career, from A to B (or to C or D).
Let’s learn about Dara Hammond's career journey.
What’s your current role at JMP?
Sales Manager
Describe what you like most about it.
I like taking the time to prepare content to coach my employees. I feel I'm in a good position to impact and influence the path of their career and bring the most joy to their job role and future development.
If different, what was your first role when you started at JMP?
Systems Engineer
Cartoon of Dara as a systems engineer with former AE Hope Walker.Cartoon of Dara as a systems engineer with former AE Hope Walker.
Did you work at SAS before joining JMP?
Thanks for the cupcakes, P&G!Thanks for the cupcakes, P&G!Yes
How long have you been at JMP?
10-14 years
Did your college or university degree(s) relate to your current role at JMP?
Yes
Outside of your time at JMP, what was your:
First job? Mathematical statistician with the US Census Bureau
Best job? Outside of my time at JMP my "best job" is a Hospice volunteer
Worst job? Cashier at a giant home store like Home Depot
Have you made a major career transition? If so, what was it and how did you know you were ready for a change?
Yes, I moved from technical to territory sales at JMP. I knew I was ready because my mentor told me I'd been doing the job for years.
Did you have any concerns about making a change? If so, what were they?
Of course, change is hard. I was worried I'd lose my technical edge, I was worried I'd become "salesy" which I don't find an attractive attribute, I was worried I'd get fired if I missed my number and there was more risk, I worried about travel with young kids.
You know you've arrived when John invites you for a 22-minute flight.You know you've arrived when John invites you for a 22-minute flight.
What were the first things you did when you decided that you were ready to change jobs?
Read, talked to others in the role that I respected, researched the companies, used my past to gain credibility with customers. Visited everybody and their brother that were clients to see each others' faces and get to know one another personally a bit more.
Remember tradeshows? Such a long time ago, check out the fashion!Remember tradeshows? Such a long time ago, check out the fashion!
Before deciding on the new role, did you spend time with someone who does that job? If so, how was that experience?
Yes, positive and helpful
Who were the people that were instrumental in helping you make the job switch successfully, how did they help?
Hiring manager, executive staff, peer supports
Friends and mentors along the wayFriends and mentors along the way
What advice do you have for JMP employees who are thinking about changing their roles?
Research it to gain confidence to see that it's right, sometimes going back is not an option.
Because we love good stories, we want to learn about how your career evolved and tell these stories to our colleagues—the evolution of your career that has ultimately brought you to JMP or even how once arriving at JMP they made a major transition.
Please take the six-minute survey.
