Career Path of an Associate Project Manager at Adobe
Jessie's journey began with initial career setbacks ("my resume sucks"), leading to a career center role where they honed project management skills. This experience, combined with internships at NetSuite and Adobe's consulting services, ultimately led to their current Associate Project Manager position at Adobe, a full-circle moment after initially dismissing sales and discovering a passion for project management ("I jumped all over it").
Project Management, Career Development, Networking, Overcoming Challenges, Job Search
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jessie Nigel
Associate project manager
Adobe
California State University, Chico
N/a
Business Management & Admin
Technology, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Operations and Project Management
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Jessie's persistence in seeking internships despite initial setbacks, highlighting the importance of networking and utilizing career center resources.
2. Her diverse work experiences, including roles in restaurants, property management, and a university career center, demonstrating adaptability and a willingness to explore different fields.
3. Her journey from initially applying for sales and consulting roles at Adobe to ultimately securing a project management position, showcasing the possibility of unexpected career paths and pivoting within a company.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Please include any internships or jobs you had before your current role.
When I joined college at Chico State in Northern California, I walked into the counseling office as a freshman seeking an internship. I was told my resume needed significant improvement. I worked with a counselor to update it and then attended a career fair.
At the fair, I expected to secure an internship or at least an interview. However, I was repeatedly told I was too young and should return as a junior. Even though they complimented my resume, they weren't ready to hire me yet.
I left feeling discouraged about my job prospects. I ran into the same career advisor, who asked how it went. I explained everyone said I was too young. He assured me they would help me find something.
A few weeks later, he called me during a class. After I called him back, he mentioned a potential opportunity at the career center. I met with him that day, and he explained it was a career fair role. He noted that my project management major skills would be useful in networking with different companies. This sounded like a great opportunity to build options for my future.
I interviewed and got the job. However, the next week we were sent home due to COVID-19, and the job never materialized. With career fairs canceled, I felt I was figuring things out again.
I went home during COVID and started working at a local restaurant, which was unusual given the circumstances but was one of the few open. I also worked at a small boutique. I soon realized the restaurant life wasn't for me because I'm too type-A and need to know my work schedule in advance.
I then started working with my family in property management for their real estate company. I was responsible for all work orders. If there was an issue in an apartment, like a broken sink or ceiling crack, I would receive the request and figure out the necessary repairs, outsourcing them to different service providers.
After a few months, at the end of the fall 2020 semester, I decided to move back to Chico, regardless of the ongoing COVID situation. I needed to leave my parents' house. The career center contacted me, offering another position since they knew my capabilities and had already interviewed me.
Upon moving back to Chico, I started working for the career center again. This time, instead of career fairs, my focus was on the Handshake app. I was responsible for approving job submissions from companies, acting as the employer assistant. Employers came to me with any issues or questions about Handshake. I managed our employer relationships, including giving tours and setting up schedules for sponsors like Adobe.
As career fairs began to resume, I assisted in planning and leading them. I gained experience across various roles in the career center and truly enjoyed the team and the work. My original career advisor continued to support me throughout this time.
He encouraged me to start thinking about internships. He suggested I look into Adobe and mentioned a connection from an alum. I reached out and initially applied for a sales position, but I didn't feel like a salesperson. I then applied for consulting, with no real understanding of what it entailed, but friends were discussing it and interviewing.
I interviewed for both sales and consulting roles at Adobe. At the end of the process, I was asked to choose between them. I was surprised but decided to pick consulting. Shortly after, I began interviewing for a NetSuite internship for the spring semester, which was a sales role. I reasoned that if I got that, I would have enough sales experience and could then focus on consulting to make my final choice.
I ended up accepting the NetSuite sales internship, which I completed in spring 2021. I then did the Adobe consulting services internship in summer 2021. In fall 2022, I returned to NetSuite for another internship, and that's also when I graduated.
I had already committed to Adobe, as I received an offer after my internship. I still didn't fully understand consulting when I started. However, I learned about a project management avenue, which interested me more than a direct consultant role. I enthusiastically pursued it, and it has brought me full circle.
I am now a project manager and found this out on my first day as a full-time employee. I have been with the company for a little over a year, and it has been a remarkable journey.