Career Path Of An Enterprise Account Manager At ZoomInfo
Aaron's career journey, beginning with a desire for a career in sports, took unexpected turns, including a stint at Merrill Lynch where "things seemed to be very cutthroat," leading to a fulfilling five-year role at BlackLine, marked by "numerous promotions" and significant company growth; this ultimately led to their current position as an Enterprise Account Manager at ZoomInfo.
Career Exploration, Sales, Account Management, Business Development, Professional Growth
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Aaron Levine
Enterprise Account Manager
ZoomInfo
The University of Arizona, 2012
N/A
Business Management & Admin
Technology
Sales and Client Management
Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Aaron's career path highlights a willingness to adapt and explore different fields, starting from entry-level positions and progressing through promotions. He transitioned from sports sales to finance and then to software sales, demonstrating adaptability and a proactive approach to career growth.
2. His experiences at various companies, such as Fox Sports, The Los Angeles Dodgers, Merrill Lynch, and BlackLine, showcase his ability to learn from different work environments and contribute to organizational growth. This highlights the importance of networking and using connections to find opportunities.
3. Aaron's decision to leave a job at Merrill Lynch due to a negative work culture underscores the importance of finding a company with a positive and supportive environment, where the focus is not only on profit, but on employee and client well-being. This emphasizes the value of prioritizing work-life balance and aligning with company values.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experience in college? Did you have any internships or jobs before your career officially began?
I was very involved in college. I was a resident assistant, involved with my fraternity, and a manager for the men's basketball team. I also double-majored in business management and finance.
I always wanted a career in sports, especially professional sports. After college, I pursued that path and took an entry-level, part-time position with Fox Sports. I realized it wasn't aligned with my interest in the business side of sports.
Through connections, I was introduced to someone at the Los Angeles Dodgers and was hired into their sales organization. I spent two years there selling ticket packages, group sales, and providing customer service.
I didn't see much room for growth and wasn't willing to move away from my family in Southern California. I was always interested in wealth management and took an opportunity at Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor.
Passing the Series 7, 66, and life and health exams was challenging. I quickly realized the company culture, at least in my office, wasn't for me. It felt cutthroat, and I didn't feel the individuals around me had my best interests in mind. It seemed more about making money than taking care of clients. As a young professional, I didn't know many people with disposable income who were in a position to invest with me.
I quit because I knew it wasn't right for me. I experienced "Sunday scaries" and wanted a vibrant environment surrounded by people who motivated me and facilitated learning. Through connections, I was introduced to a local FinTech software company called BlackLine, which focuses on the financial close.
I started there as a Business Development Representative, an entry-level position involving cold calling and working with inbound leads. This turned out to be one of the best professional experiences I've had. I spent five years there, received numerous promotions, and was involved in the company's growth. The company grew from about 500 employees to over 1,300 globally by the time I left.
After BlackLine, I was approached to join another FinTech company in account management. Unfortunately, that didn't work out due to the economy. I then joined my current company, ZoomInfo, where I am now in enterprise account management.