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 Robin’s career journey.
What’s your current role at JMP?
Executive Assistant to CEO.
As an Executive Assistant I got to tour Building A while it was under construction.As an Executive Assistant I got to tour Building A while it was under construction.
Describe what you like most about it.
I love that my job allows insight into many aspects of how a business runs. I'm a very curious person and love to be in the know. I also like to help others be the best version of themselves.
If different, what was your first role when you started at JMP?
Contractor for a marketing event coordinator that went out on maternity leave.
Did you work at SAS before joining JMP?
Yes.
How long have you been at JMP?
5-9 years.
EMEA’s 2019 H2 meeting in Madrid where I was the event planner for JMP staffEMEA’s 2019 H2 meeting in Madrid where I was the event planner for JMP staff
Did your college or university degree(s) relate to your current role at JMP?
Sort of.
Outside of your time at JMP, what was your a) first job, b) best job, c) worst job?
a.) My first real-world job was selling sub prime consolidation loans - YUCK! However, the first actual job I had was babysitting and dog sitting.
b.) This job is my best job, but I sure miss being a lifeguard. It was fun and I got a tan! HA!
c.) My worst job was as a loan officer. I was terrible at it and it was awful for the customers.
Baby sittingBaby sitting
Camp Seagull in 2006 when I was Track Out Director for the YMCACamp Seagull in 2006 when I was Track Out Director for the YMCA
Have you made a major career transition? If so, what was it and how did you know you were ready for a change?
I started as a loan officer to pay my bills. Once I had the opportunity to work in my field I became a Track Out Director for the YMCA and loved it. I knew I couldn't sell loans to people that needed help getting out of debt. It was just awful.
Did you have any concerns about making a change?
I took a pay cut, but it was worth it for my peace of mind. Plus I wanted to get into doing the things I went to school for.
What were the first things you did when you decided that you were ready to change jobs?
I started looking at who was hiring and sent my resume to everyone I could think of that worked in the recreational industry. I also wanted to project manage and plan events. So I sent resumes out for those as well. I also worked with contracting firms.
Before deciding on the new role, did you spend time with someone who does that job? How was that experience?
No, I just jumped at the opportunity. I was young and didn't need the money, it was more for peace of mind.
Who were the people that were instrumental in helping you make the job switch successfully, and how did they help?
The hiring firm helped me the most and people that I knew who knew people. That's how I was able to come to SAS. I was recommended by a friend.
What advice do you have for JMP employees who are thinking about changing their roles?
Raise your hand. Ask to be involved. Get to know all the people and all the things that relate to what you want to try. Don't burn bridges you'll need to walk over again.
Bryan Yan showing me how to work with people in other regionsBryan Yan showing me how to work with people in other regions
The very first kickoff I attended in 2015The very first kickoff I attended in 2015
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.
