Angela, Functional Owner, Finance Operations at PowerSchool: Advize Career Interview
Sacramento State's networking opportunities significantly boosted a career path marked by proactive juggling of full-time work at Blue Shield of California with undergraduate studies, building strong time management skills and leveraging education reimbursement.
This led to early leadership roles and a successful transition to the dynamic EdTech industry at PowerSchool as a Functional Owner, Finance Operations.
The role involves extensive collaboration, process improvement, and global team management, demanding strong communication, flexibility, and a comfort with constant evolution.
A day involves coordinating stakeholders, managing multiple team deliverables, and ensuring timely project completion.
The most significant challenges involve securing stakeholder follow-through and the importance of proactive communication, lessons learned through experience.
The career journey showcases the value of strong professional connections, built early and maintained throughout. A key recommendation for entry-level positions is customer-facing roles, providing a solid foundation for career growth.
The experience as a first-generation college student fostered a commitment to mentoring and guiding others.
The overall career path highlights the power of networking, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement within a rapidly evolving industry.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Angela Sedlukha
Functional Owner, Finance Operations
PowerSchool
California State University, Sacramento
California State University, Sacramento - Master of Business Administration
Medical, Sciences & Related, Business Management & Admin
Technology
Operations and Project Management
Pell Grant Recipient, Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student, First Generation College Student
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Career Path of a Finance Operations Functional Owner at PowerSchool
Sacramento State significantly aided Angela's career journey by providing valuable networking opportunities, including job fairs that allowed face-to-face interaction with major employers; these events helped Angela make "a face to [her] name" and stand out during the application process. The university's resources, especially when utilized, proved beneficial in building a professional network and making a positive first impression.
Main Responsibilities Of A Functional Owner, Finance Operations At PowerSchool
Angela's career path showcases a proactive approach, starting with juggling a full-time job at Blue Shield of California with their undergraduate studies, "really fine-tuning time management skills," and leveraging education reimbursement benefits. This led to early leadership roles and a subsequent career shift into education technology at PowerSchool, a move described as "one of the best decisions" due to the dynamic nature of the industry and the variety of projects.
A Day In The Life Of A Functional Owner In Finance Operations At PowerSchool
Angela's role as Functional Owner, Finance Operations at PowerSchool involves extensive collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to "evaluate current business processes" and implement improvements, including automation and technology upgrades. This includes working with global teams to adapt processes for international expansion, ensuring compliance with varying regional legislation while also focusing on enhancing efficiency for teams like order cash and accounts receivable.
Most Important Skills For A Functional Owner Finance Operations At PowerSchool
A Functional Owner's day involves "lots of meetings and drafting communications," coordinating stakeholders to gather information and ensure alignment on projects. The role heavily relies on managing multiple teams and their deliverables, requiring Angela to be cognizant of other team members' workloads while ensuring timely project completion through consistent communication.
Favorite Parts of Being a Functional Owner Finance Operations at PowerSchool
Angela, a Functional Owner in Finance Operations at PowerSchool, emphasizes strong communication and collaboration as crucial, highlighting the need to "talk with people effectively" and keep stakeholders informed. The dynamic nature of PowerSchool necessitates flexibility, with Angela noting the importance of being "comfortable with being uncomfortable" in a constantly evolving environment.
A Day In The Life Of A Finance Operations Functional Owner At PowerSchool
Angela enjoys the diverse nature of her role as Functional Owner, Finance Operations at PowerSchool, stating that "no two projects are really the same," and this variety, coupled with opportunities to collaborate with internal and external teams, fuels their passion for change management. The global perspective gained from working with various teams and vendors is also a significant source of satisfaction in their career.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Finance Operations Industry As A Functional Owner
Angela, a Functional Owner at PowerSchool, identifies securing stakeholder follow-through and timely completion of deliverables as the biggest challenge in her role. To mitigate this, Angela emphasizes upfront alignment on timelines and expectations with all involved team members, stating that "at the very beginning of the project we are getting alignment...on their timeline, any time off they have planned".
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Ed Tech Industry, According To A Functional Owner Finance Operations At PowerSchool
Angela, a Functional Owner in Finance Operations at PowerSchool, thrives in the "ever evolving" EdTech industry's fast-paced environment and enjoys "constantly looking for ways to make it better," leveraging this to energize colleagues and champion improvements. The constant drive for innovation and the tangible impact on education are key aspects of what Angela finds most fulfilling.
What A Finance Operations Owner At PowerSchool Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Finance Industry
Angela, a Functional Owner at PowerSchool, emphasizes the importance of cultivating and maintaining strong professional connections throughout one's career, stating that "making those strong professional connections early on and maintain those relationships" proved significant. This strategy, reinforced by graduate program networking opportunities and past professional relationships, ultimately led to a new job opportunity through a former manager's referral.
Entry-level positions for aspiring Finance Operations Functional Owners
Angela, a Functional Owner in Finance Operations at PowerSchool, emphasizes the critical role of communication in project success, stating that "communication is key." Early and consistent stakeholder engagement, including "status updates," prevents surprises and mitigates issues; this was a key lesson learned through experience, highlighting the importance of proactive communication throughout a project's lifecycle.
College Experiences That Helped A Finance Operations Functional Owner At PowerSchool Succeed
Angela recommends customer-facing roles as excellent entry-level positions, citing her own experience where "it helped so much just learn the ropes of corporate America culture," and allowed exploration of various career paths through internal job postings and mobility programs. This approach, combined with a company's internal upskilling initiatives, provides a strong foundation for career growth within a chosen industry.
How Identity Has Influenced A Functional Owner Finance Operations At PowerSchool's Career
Angela's most significant career lesson is the importance of cultivating and maintaining strong professional connections; this was reinforced during graduate school and proved invaluable when a former manager from Blue Shield "reached out a couple years after" to offer Angela a new opportunity.
Career Advice From a Finance Operations Functional Owner at PowerSchool
Angela's undergraduate experience, combining work with studies, proved invaluable, allowing application of theoretical learning to practical work situations. A key example involved applying a learned principle of performance management from a class reading to prevent a "downward spiral" with team members, demonstrating the significant impact of academic knowledge on real-world leadership challenges.
Advizer Personal Links
linkedin.com/in/angela-sedlukha