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 Jason Wiggin’s (@Jason_Wiggins) career journey.
What’s your current role at JMP?
Senior Systems Engineer
Describe what you like most about it.
Enabling analytics champions in a broad variety of business.
How long have you been at JMP?
<4 years
Did your college or university degree(s) relate to your current role at JMP?
Yes. It opened my eyes to the possibility of solving engineering problems with statistics. My education is in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis on mechatronics (a hybrid of electrical and mechanical engineering). Today, my university’s curriculum does not include any statistics courses. When I was an undergrad student, I was lucky to have a professor who, with great effort, convinced the department to include two statistics courses: Basic Statistics and Metrology and Reliability. I was able to apply what I learned as early as my internship.
Outside of your time at JMP, what was your a) first job, b) best job, and c) worst job?
My first job ever was delivering new papers. My first job out of university was as a Research Engineer.
My best job was as a Test Development team leader. Our team developed and improved both destructive and non-destructive tests for measuring quality attributes, performance characteristics, and material properties of polycrystalline diamond cutting inserts and many of the materials used to manufacture them. It was fun because there was a lot of data and plenty of opportunities to use statistical problem-solving. The job was rewarding because team members worked together collaboratively to solve some pretty tough problems. Try googling polycrystalline diamond testing equipment and find anything you can buy! This collaborative problem-solving fostered an environment where we all were able to develop and grow our skills rapidly. I was also able to deploy formal DOE, MSA, Reliability, and MATLAB training for all engineers and technicians that expressed an interest. My greatest measure of success in this role is seeing my old teammates advance in their careers. One is an Engineering Manager, another is a Data Scientist, and another is a Senior Scientist. Next to that is seeing the standards we codified used in later test development efforts.
My worst job is a toss-up between a warehouse picker at Frito Lay loading chips in trucks all day and kitchen duty (KP) in the Army.
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soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.LT Wiggins after trading KP duty as an enlisted soldier for an 80lb pack and any number of antics in the name of training as an officer.
Have you made a major career transition? If so, what was it and how did you know you were ready for a change?
Yes. Moving from an engineering manager role to a systems engineer was a big transition. I had been looking for other opportunities for a couple of years. My goal was to make a career move before I turned 50. It is tough to find new opportunities as you get older. JMP represented an opportunity to take an analytics enablement strategy that has made me and my teams successful to a bigger sandbox and to full-time. Enablement was and still is the most rewarding part of my career.
Did you have any concerns about making a change?
Growth. I am accustomed to developing and honing my skills, so I expect a personal and professional evolution in my role as a systems engineer and perhaps new roles in the future. My hope is that I continue to grow and have fun at JMP until I retire.
What were the first things you did when you decided that you were ready to change jobs?
Bring my existing projects either to closure or to a point where a handoff would not kill them.
Before deciding on the new role, did you spend time with someone who does that job?
Yes. Several SEs over time have helped me - Chuck Boiler (@chuck_boiler), Don McCormack (@DonMcCormack), Chris Kirchberg (@Chris_Kirchberg), Pete Hersh (@Peter_Hersh).
Who were the people that were instrumental in helping you make the job switch successfully, and how did they help?
At JMP, Chuck Boiler, Pete Hersh, and Jerry Fish (@JerryFish). Outside, Bill Kappele (a JMP Partner and mentor) is the reason I am a JMP user and was very helpful and supportive in making the change. All entertained many questions and provided encouragement to apply and interview. Every technical job I have had has been the result of someone helping me find and open doors and then encouraging me to walk through. This move was no different. I had a lot of help.
What advice do you have for JMP employees who are thinking about changing their roles?
Find something you are good at. I believe this discovery can happen when you take on new challenges and volunteer to support projects and initiatives. Be bold and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Adopt a beginner mindset and be comfortable with being a learner as opposed to an expert.
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.
Great story, Jason! Thanks for sharing. We're so glad you joined the JMP family!
Thanks for sharing your story, Jason! Didn't know reliability analysis is in your pocket! The count of our colleagues sharing the same interest and experience is rising 
Looking forward to working with you more closely!
What a great, inspirational story. Thank you so much for sharing and thank you for your service.
Thank you for sharing! I always enjoyed working with you as a customer. And thrilled I still get to work with you as a colleague!
It was a pleasure to know you as a customer. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching classes for you and getting to know your employees. The 'show and tell' tours were a big plus, too!
So glad you are 'one of us' now.
I enjoyed reading about your career journey, Jason. Great insight, especially about not being afraid to be bold and stepping out of our comfort zones when making a job change.
Thanks for sharing your story, Jason!
I fully agree and really like your comment - "Adopt a beginner mindset and be comfortable with being a learner as opposed to an expert."
What a great photo of LT Wiggins!
Powerful quote: "Adopt a beginner mindset and be comfortable with being a learner as opposed to an expert." :smiling_face_with_heart_eyes:
I feel very lucky to work with such an amazing human. @Jason_Wiggins , more importantly, did you get free chips from Frito Lays???? 
