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Aaron, Account Manager at Wish: Advize Career Interview
A neuroscience graduate's unexpected journey into e-commerce, starting with internships and roles at Walmart/Jet.com, led to a fulfilling Account Manager position at Wish.com.
This career path showcases the value of transferable skills, adaptability, and relationship building.
The interview reveals the day-to-day responsibilities advising enterprise-level clients, collaborating with internal teams, and mentoring colleagues.
Success in this role requires strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
The e-commerce industry’s constant innovation and diverse career paths, from entry-level Business Development Representative roles to advanced positions in product management, are highlighted.
The importance of strong Excel and PowerPoint skills, relationship maintenance, and creating inclusive work environments are emphasized as crucial lessons learned.
This individual's experiences demonstrate how a willingness to explore diverse opportunities and cultivate a learning mindset can lead to a rewarding and atypical career trajectory.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Aaron Tsai
Account Manager
Wish
Pomona College, 2017
UCLA Anderson, MBA (2025)
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Biology & Related Sciences
Retail
Sales and Client Management
None Applicable
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Career Path of an Account Manager at Wish
Aaron's career path was "pretty atypical," starting with a neuroscience degree but shifting to e-commerce after marketing and business internships; this led to roles at Walmart/Jet.com in category management and site merchandising before a move to Wish.com focusing on the "client-facing aspects" of account management, helping merchants grow on the platform.
Main Responsibilities of an Account Manager at Wish
Aaron's main responsibilities as an Account Manager at Wish involve advising "larger enterprise level clients" on platform usage and performance, acting as a liaison between merchants and internal teams like product and engineering to improve the platform based on user feedback, and mentoring coworkers and interns. This role showcases Aaron's expertise in client relations, product development, and professional development.
A Day In The Life Of An Account Manager At Wish
Aaron, an Account Manager at Wish, describes a typical workday as starting around 9:30 or 10 AM, largely remote due to the pandemic, beginning with checking emails and Slack messages. The workday also includes client meetings—"a lot of times these one-on-ones would be either biweekly or monthly"—and collaboration with the product team to implement new features based on merchant feedback.
Most Important Skills for an Account Manager at Wish
For success as a Wish Account Manager, Aaron highlights the importance of "relationship building," tailoring approaches to individual merchant needs, and strategic thinking informed by data analysis and e-commerce trends. This necessitates strong presentation skills, teamwork, and the confidence to proactively engage potential clients, as demonstrated by their experience onboarding new sellers.
Favorite Parts Of Being An Account Manager At Wish
Aaron enjoys the "autonomy" and flexible scheduling afforded by the Account Manager role at Wish, allowing tailoring of work to merchant needs. This is complemented by team collaboration on large initiatives with product, engineering, and design teams, and the fulfilling aspect of "building relationships" with clients.
Biggest Challenges Faced By An Account Manager At Wish
Aaron's biggest challenge as an Account Manager at Wish involves understanding and empathizing with merchants' "reservations or unmet needs," requiring creative problem-solving and tailored solutions rather than generic approaches. This challenge, however, also allows Aaron to leverage customer feedback to suggest product improvements, demonstrating initiative and a proactive approach to career growth.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The E-Commerce Industry As An Account Manager
Aaron enjoys the constant "innovation" in the e-commerce industry, citing Wish's "discovery-based model" as an example, and comparing its forward-thinking nature to the field of neuroscience. The industry's accessibility for those from non-traditional backgrounds, requiring understanding of "unit economics" and "profit margin," also appeals to Aaron, who values the collaborative aspect, maintaining contact with past colleagues from Walmart and Jet.
What Type Of Person Thrives In E-commerce According To A Wish Account Manager
Success in the online retail and eCommerce industry favors "innovative" individuals who enjoy "being in the forefront of change," a passion for online shopping and transactions is beneficial, but specific roles also require quantitative analysis skills or interest in areas like shipping and logistics. The industry offers diverse career paths within e-commerce companies or third-party applications supporting online marketplaces.
What an Account Manager at Wish Wishes They Knew Before Their First Job
Aaron, an Account Manager at Wish, wished they had stronger Excel and PowerPoint skills before starting their career, highlighting the value of "basic or even more advanced functions." The most insightful point was their emphasis on the importance of learning adaptability and prioritization on the job, stressing the value of "learning how to adapt" and "prioritize" in a dynamic work environment.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Account Managers at Wish
For undergraduate students aiming for account management or sales, Aaron suggests starting with Business Development Representative (BDR) or Sales Development Representative (SDR) roles, which involve "a lot more prospecting," then progressing to account management or business development management. Alternatively, depending on interests, entry-level positions in category analysis, site merchandising, or even coding-related roles like product management are also viable options within e-commerce.
Significant Career Lesson From an Account Manager at Wish
Aaron's most significant career lesson centers on "maintaining relationships," both with clients and colleagues, a skill honed through proactive effort and "motivation to learn," even in less-than-engaging situations. This approach, developed throughout their education and personal life, has proven "invaluable" to their career progression.
College Experiences That Helped An Account Manager At Wish Succeed
Aaron's undergraduate success stemmed from strategically leveraging internships to highlight transferable skills during interviews, "cherry pick[ing] certain elements" from diverse experiences in consulting and other industries to apply to e-commerce roles. A willingness to explore new opportunities and a "learning mindset," cultivated through varied coursework, proved equally crucial in a career path that evolved unexpectedly.
How Identity Has Influenced an Account Manager's Career at Wish
Aaron's experience at Walmart and Jet contrasted sharply with their time at Wish, shifting from a minority to a majority within the Asian community in the workplace; this highlights the importance of feeling "heard and belonged," and Aaron suggests proactively creating employee resource groups to foster inclusion, even advocating for participation in groups that don't directly reflect one's own identity to promote a more inclusive environment.
Advizer Personal Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsaiaaron/
I like chai (please send recs!): https://www.instagram.com/trysomechai/
I play violin (if you need someone to play at an event, let me know!): https://www.groupmuse.com/musicians/7139-aaron-tsai
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