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 Jerry’s career journey.
What’s your current role at JMP?
JMP Senior Systems Engineer, supporting IN/IL/MI/WI states in the US.
Describe what you like most about it.
I like the people I work with (my local sales team and my management). I like the flexibility, the technical content, and working with new clients to see what they are doing and help them do more with JMP.
If different, what was your first role when you started at JMP?
I had a different territory then, but the job function was the same.
How long have you been at JMP?
5 years
Did your college or university degree(s) relate to your current role at JMP?
Engineering degree, yes. Stats class, sort of (a long time ago). Communication skills, being able to sell, etc. -- no, I've picked that up over the years. JMP wasn't around when I went through school (which gives you an idea of my age!).
Outside of your time at JMP, what was your a) first job, b) best job, and c) worst job?
- a) First job of any kind: assembling chairs and desks at a public school. First post-grad professional job: Computer modeling of bulldozer track dynamics at Caterpillar Tractor.
- b) Best job: I've gotta say JMP, right? Otherwise, I'd be somewhere else. Fun every day!
- c) Worst job of any kind: Blowing insulation into houses with no training. (I got fired from that one.) Worst professional job: Measuring energy usage of printers. (No creativity, just plug the printer into a measurement device and read the output.)
Have you made a major career transition? If so, what was it and how did you know you were ready for a change?
I'd have to say yes. Most of my 40+ year career has been in engineering R&D. I made one transition from being a lead engineer in an Acoustics and Vibration lab to more direct product design work. Then a couple of decades later, when the call to join JMP came along, it was a change in terms of going into a technical sales position, having income tied to the sales commission, talking regularly with people I'd never met before, etc. How did I know it was time for a change? When I'd done all I could in the past job, wasn't growing anymore, and I saw no other opportunities with my employer.
Did you have any concerns about making a change? If so, what were they?
Sure, always concerned about change. Leaving a job that I knew how to do, fear of failing at a new job, new job/career at a late stage in life (I was 59 at the time).
What were the first things you did when you decided that you were ready to change jobs?
Started packing. (Hah!) I was so ready to leave the old job that I JMP'ed at the chance to join SAS/JMP. Plus I had been a JMP admin at my previous company and had been to several Discovery Summits. I knew JMP was such a great company, it was an easy choice.
Before deciding on the new role, did you spend time with someone who does that job? If so, how was that experience?
I spoke with my predecessor in this position Bill Worley (@Bill_Worley) and the rest of the team I would be working with Tim Pierce (@Tim_Pierce_JMP) and Sam Tobin (@samtobin), and a few other trusted mentors outside of JMP, before making the move. All were very positive about the move.
Who were the people that were instrumental in helping you make the job switch successfully, and how did they help?
Chuck Boiler (@chuck_boiler) (my to-be manager with JMP) was fabulous in answering all my questions and mentoring me as I started the new role. It was a much easier transition with his coaching!
What advice do you have for JMP employees who are thinking about changing their roles?
I would say to first figure out what you would like to do, long-term, in your career. In my case, I didn't do that. Many of my career moves were "accidental," in that I wasn't looking for a change. The opportunities just fell in my lap. You should be more intentional. For example, if you see yourself as manager material, get to know the company by taking a variety of positions, and get to know two or three managers closely so they can guide you and tell you what positions would benefit you, and what to expect. In other words, be intentional about caring for your career growth.
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.
Thanks for sharing, Jerry! We are so fortunate to have your talents, skills, and extensive experience.
@JerryFish, Thanks for sharing your story and giving your many and varied Mastering webinars (e.g. on Reliability related topics). I've always loved your thoughtful, clear, and above-all very practical communication style -- as a customer and as an applied learner it has made learning with JMP easier and more impactful -- we are definitely lucky to have all your perspective and experience in engineering R&D and it shines through brightly in what you do for our customers here at JMP.
I loved learning these things about you, Jerry! You are such a wonderful colleague, and I appreciate you so much. In these times of change, your positive outlook is extra valued!
Great story, @JerryFish .
I am sure lots of people can relate to the "accidental" career path. I know that I can. It does require keeping your eyes open for the opportunities though - I doubt it was as simple as just falling into your lap.
