Career Path Of A Small Business Owner
Jessica's career path, beginning with finance and accounting degrees, involved early experiences at PwC and Deloitte, where "surrounding yourself with smart people and being open-minded" proved invaluable. After realizing a preference for smaller businesses, the CEO of IRR Investments now focuses on serving them, highlighting a continuous learning process where "the education piece never stops."
Career Exploration, Career Development, Executive/Leadership, Overcoming Challenges, Networking
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jessica Thumati
CEO
IRR Investments
University of Arizona
N/A
Business & Related, Finance, Accounting
Consulting & Related Professional Services
Finance
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Jessica pursued degrees in finance and accounting, initially intending a sales career but finding her path led elsewhere.
2. Her internships at PWC and Deloitte provided valuable experience, highlighting the importance of proactive learning and adding value.
3. She transitioned from large corporations to smaller businesses, excelling in environments where she could make a direct impact, suggesting adaptability and a preference for a certain type of work culture.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path? Please start with your experiences in college, and any internships or jobs you had before your current role.
Absolutely. I earned my degrees in finance and accounting with a minor in sociology. Initially, I was a marketing and finance major and thought I'd go into sales, but life sometimes takes you down a different path.
I started my career at PwC and obtained my CPA license. I really enjoyed the client engagement aspect of it, though not so much the auditing side. It was a great platform and a good door opener.
From there, I moved into finance and strategy, working in various roles, including operations. I realized the big corporate world wasn't for me; it wasn't a good fit. I found I excelled more in smaller and medium-sized businesses.
Currently, I work primarily with small businesses as a business owner and also serve them as clients. That's really my bread and butter.
As for internships, I interned with PwC and Deloitte, which was great experience. I learned so much from surrounding myself with smart people willing to teach me.
Being open-minded, asking questions, and learning as much as you can are crucial. Seeing where you can add value is part of creating your own experience; you can't just rely on others to provide it. You have to cultivate the experience you want.
Be a sponge, absorb everything you can, stay humble, and keep learning. I've been out of college for years and still learn something new every day. The educational piece never stops. You must continuously educate yourself, whether it's work-related or a personal interest. I think that's extremely important.
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