My Date with Snap

03 Jun My Date with Snap

Over the past several months I have had the opportunity to spend time with an amazing woman named Emma from Snap Chat, Inc. She is a Strategic Partner Manager and phenomenal at her job. Not only has she taken time away from her daily duties to coach me through what seems to be an impossible transition, but she has connected me with a list of major resources. These resources have given me an elevated level of confidence in my journey moving forward. Being a successful mentor does not require much, but the little that is required becomes very important.

What I have come to realize is that a mentor is not necessarily someone who is older than you; a mentor is someone who is wiser than you. In the field of technology and all of its subdivisions, Emma is very wise and well-connected. One of the qualities she possesses that I know I will come to need or utilize, is a highly functional network. Emma has taken the time to build a network with individuals in different sectors of the technology world. It becomes fascinating to be introduced to a new person each week who can offer me insight and advice as I attempt to narrow down the specific facet of tech I desire to work in.

Which brings me to my next point: Emma is happy with what she does. She totally appreciates her journey and takes nothing for granted. Some of the following questions (1 & 2) I once pondered but received answers. Others (3-5) I have yet to ask.

1. Are you happy with why you do day to day?
2. What skills do you find most important when performing your daily at work?
3. What frustrates you most about your career and is it something you have the opportunity to adjust or make better?
4. Do you believe you will work in this sector of the tech industry in the long run or are you using it as a Segway to something different/more advanced?
5. What were the most helpful resource tools or information/guidance tips that someone offered you along your journey to becoming established in the tech community?

I believe the questions listed above are important to obtain answers to because they offer a snapshot of what I might be moving forward into. Although I cannot predict the future, I can ask specific questions of people who are already standing in the shoes I wish to fill. I’d also like to know the answers to these questions because through my transition, my thought process has been a bit anxious. The uncertainty of a new career can bring about high levels of anxiety, especially if you do not feel adequately prepared. I do not believe my lack of preparedness is due to teaching or curriculum, it is more so due to my lack of believe in this life transition.

The thought of something new can either be debilitating or inspiring and for a while it was debilitating because I have an expectation of myself to be as close to perfect as possible with whatever task I’m taking on. Learning to code and working in this industry did not feel like something I’d achieve perfection with and therefore made me a bit hesitant to give 1000%. Then I reminded myself, how can I ever soar forward if I don’t give 1000%?!

To conquer the anxious feelings of failure, I decided to develop a game plan with my mentor and we agreed to stick with it until something happens. In this instance, I say “we”, however I really mean “she”, speaking of Emma, gathered an amazing list of resources and my responsibility was/is to thoroughly go through the list of resources and use them! Emma sat with me and asked seven questions around the type of work I want to do, the environment I desire, what sector most interested me, etc. from the answers she gathered, she proceeded to set up video conference calls and luncheons with the individuals that were willing to aid in my progression. So far I’ve met with 3 different individuals and it’s provided me with major insight.

I feel more than happy and blessed to have been paired with a mentor such as Emma and sometimes I think I take her time and energy for granted. I utilize the resources she provides but in moments of uncertainty, I realized that I don’t use the resources to their fullest potential. All in all, I am grateful for the connection, for the journey, and for the opportunity to be great once more.