Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Operations Professionals at ServiceNow
Allison, a Global ISV Operations Supervisor at ServiceNow, suggests that entry-level roles like "account development rep" offer a pathway into both sales and operations, allowing a transition to the operations side without direct sales responsibilities. Alternatively, building experience in related fields such as accounting, and then moving into operations through internal transfers within a company is also a viable strategy, with an MBA potentially accelerating career advancement.
Sales Operations, Account Development, Operations Specialist, Entry-Level Positions, Career Transition
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Allison Kulp
Global ISV Operations Supervisor
ServiceNow, Inc.
Loyola University Maryland , 2009
University of California Los Angeles -Executive MBA anticipated 2024
Business Management & Admin
Technology
Operations and Project Management
Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. An account development representative role is a common entry-level position in tech companies that bridges sales and operations.
2. While an MBA can be beneficial, entry-level operational roles like Operations Specialist are available with or without one.
3. It's often possible to gain a foothold in a desired company by securing an entry-level position in any department and then transferring internally after gaining experience and building rapport within the company.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider pursuing?
Sure. Sales operations, like in most tech companies, is a branch of sales. My experience with some tech companies shows that an Account Development Rep is a good entry-level position into both sales and operations.
Basically, you're helping higher-up sales reps get customers. It's a bit challenging, but the right person will do well. Some people from that role, or entry-level sales, transition into operations because they don't necessarily want to be on the front lines, commission-based.
They prefer to focus on the operational side. This is a good transition because they understand how to develop a deal, the sales cycle, and how to work with customers. That knowledge will carry over into operations.
Operations can draw from any area. If you have an accounting degree, you could start in the accounting department. If you eventually want to move into operations, gain a couple of years of accounting experience and then reach out to move into ops.
Within operations, there can be an Operations Specialist, which is an entry-level ops role. At ServiceNow, they hire people with two to three years of experience. An MBA also certainly helps, as it shows higher-level education in certain areas.
Honestly, if there's a tech company you want to work at, find the entry-level jobs and just get your foot in the door. Don't get stuck on one specific department you want to work in.
Focus on getting any entry-level job that you think you would enjoy. You don't want to take just anything, but for someone graduating with an MBA, roles will likely be a bit higher. Find any opportunity to get your foot in the door at that company. Once you develop some experience or rapport within your career, you can move into another department. I've seen that happen frequently.