Jarred, Software Support Manager at Mi-Size Influencer Marketing SAAS Company: Advize Career Interview
A Software Support Manager at a high-growth SaaS company, Jarred, offers a compelling career path for aspiring tech professionals.
Their journey began with internships secured through personal connections and a standard application process, leading to a full-time role at SAP Sybase.
The current position at Mi-Size Influencer Marketing involves managing a team, handling daily operations, and balancing reactive problem-solving with strategic initiatives.
Success in this role requires a versatile skillset, including strong written communication, navigating ambiguity, and assertive leadership.
Jarred's passion for mentoring young professionals, coupled with a knack for innovative problem-solving ("solutionism"), shines through.
While the industry demands a proactive approach and robust time management, the rewards include strong professional relationships and the opportunity to help others find their career path.
Undergraduate internships and trusting one's intuition are highlighted as key factors contributing to career success.
Entry-level positions like support engineer or product support specialist offer excellent starting points in this dynamic field.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jarred Velazquez
Software Support Manager
Mi-Size Influencer Marketing SAAS Company
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
N/A (Currently at UCLA Anderson, no other Graduate degree)
Engineering - Electrical
Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Cyber Security and IT
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
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Career Path of a Software Support Engineer at SAP Sybase
Jarred, a Software Support Manager, obtained a software engineering degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and secured their first internship through "a personal connection and a school connection," working in software contracting for a government think tank. After additional internships, Jarred's first full-time role as a software support engineer at SAP Sybase resulted from a "standard application process."
Main Responsibilities of a Software Support Manager at a High-Growth Software Startup
As a Software Support Manager at a high-growth startup, Jarred's main responsibilities include "personnel management," providing resources and guidance to a team, many of whom are early in their careers, and managing daily operations, including "escalations" and "Cross team Communications" for a 24/7 international support schedule. This role showcases Jarred's leadership and operational skills in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
A Day In The Life Of A Software Support Manager At Mi-Size Influencer Marketing
Jarred's role as Software Support Manager is largely reactive, with "80% of the day" spent addressing immediate issues, acting as a liaison between teams and managing escalations. The remaining 20% focuses on strategic initiatives like implementing "a new technology or operation," showcasing a balance between operational firefighting and proactive development within the company.
Important Skills for a Software Support Manager at an Influencer Marketing SaaS Company
Jarred, a Software Support Manager, emphasizes the importance of a broad skillset for middle management, highlighting comfort with "ambiguity" and the ability to navigate different team dynamics. Strong written communication is also crucial in a remote workforce, a skill Jarred considers "overlooked these days".
Favorite Parts Of Being A Software Support Manager At An Influencer Marketing SaaS
Jarred, a Software Support Manager, enjoys mentoring "mostly young professionals," viewing the role as a perfect fit for their coaching background—a passion dating back to high school. This allows Jarred to leverage their experience to help others "find their career path."
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Software Support Manager At A Midsize SAAS Company
Jarred's biggest challenge as a Software Support Manager is balancing "agreeable" nature with the need to advocate for their team, finding it difficult to "take a stance and defend" their position in interdepartmental conflicts. This highlights a common struggle for managers: navigating the tension between collaboration and assertive leadership.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Software Industry as a Software Support Manager
Jarred, a Software Support Manager, finds the most rewarding aspect of his industry to be the development of strong professional relationships: "you just kind of develop a network as you're working," leading to mentorship and valuable industry connections. This networking, born from "getting in front of the customer" and building empathy, is a key benefit of a career in business-to-business software support.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Software Support Industry, According To A Software Support Manager At Mi-Size Influencer Marketing
Jarred, a Software Support Manager, notes that longevity in the industry is uncommon, with success hinging on more than just typical customer service skills. The most successful individuals are "solutionists," creatively solving customer problems, even outside the product's scope, to create a "special experience" and leave customers feeling supported.
What A Software Support Manager At A Mid-size Influencer Marketing SaaS Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The SaaS Industry
Jarred, a Software Support Manager, wished for prior training in "General professional work organization," especially time management techniques crucial for middle management where dedicating time to strategic work is challenging. The lack of this upfront guidance meant Jarred had to learn valuable skills "on the job," a process made more difficult by their low conscientiousness.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Software Support Managers
Jarred, a Software Support Manager, identifies "support engineer" or "product support specialist" as common entry-level roles, noting that these are often among the first positions companies fill as they "scale out their post-sale teams." The positions offer opportunities for recent graduates to gain experience in the industry.
Significant Career Lesson From a Software Support Manager at a Mid-size Influencer Marketing SaaS Company
Jarred, a Software Support Manager, emphasizes trusting one's intuition as a crucial career lesson, advising to avoid decisions that "make you feel weak." He suggests using internal feelings as valuable data, learning to discern actions aligning with a sense of doing "the right thing," ultimately advocating for trusting one's gut.
College Experiences That Helped A Software Support Manager At An Influencer Marketing SaaS Succeed
Jarred's undergraduate success stemmed from prioritizing internships, even if initially not perfectly aligned with career goals; the experience gained proved transferable, highlighting a philosophy of "do and try as opposed to plan and then fail to do anything," leading to a successful transition into their first post-graduation role.
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