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Rebecca, Partnerships Manager at Paradigm Strategy: Advize Career Interview
A career journey of self-discovery and passion, this Partnerships Manager's path reveals a dynamic professional who pivoted from technical recruiting to SaaS sales, ultimately finding fulfillment in a role that aligns personal values with professional goals.
The interview highlights the importance of adaptability, effective communication, and proactive self-advocacy in navigating the tech industry, particularly for underrepresented groups.
This individual's experience building a new function from scratch, coupled with a deep understanding of diverse technologies and industries, offers invaluable insight into the world of partnership management.
The emphasis on continuous learning, embracing discomfort, and networking provides a roadmap for students interested in exploring similar career paths.
A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion shines through, making this a compelling story for anyone considering a future in technology sales or partnership development.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Rebecca Elguindi
Partnerships Manager
Paradigm Strategy
University of Arizona, 2015
n/a
Political Science, American Studies
Professional Services
Sales and Client Management
Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member
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Career Path Of A Partnerships Manager At Paradigm Strategy
Rebecca's career path, while not "the most traditional in sales," reflects a journey of self-discovery and passion pursuit; starting with a technical recruiter role, a pivot to SaaS sales at a startup ("a tremendous amount in my time there"), further growth through various sales roles, culminating in a fulfilling partnership management position at Paradigm Strategy, where their focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion aligns with their values.
Main Responsibilities of a Partnerships Manager at Paradigm Strategy
Rebecca's role as Partnerships Manager at Paradigm Strategy represents a career shift from a sales-focused account executive position, now focusing on "identifying those partners that we would like to have in our network, um, and securing agreements with them." This involves outbound outreach, researching potential partners with shared customer bases, and developing "referral programs" or "joint marketing partnerships" to generate leads and revenue.
A Day In The Life Of A Partnerships Manager At Paradigm Strategy
Rebecca's role as a Partnerships Manager at Paradigm Strategy involves a dynamic mix of strategic planning, "researching potential partners" and "outbound outreach" to cultivate new collaborations. This includes internal alignment with leadership and sales teams to ensure a cohesive approach to partnership development, while also maintaining a strong understanding of "our business offerings and value proposition."
Most Important Skills for a Partnerships Manager at Paradigm Strategy
Effective communication, both internally and externally, is crucial for a Partnerships Manager, especially in a remote work environment, requiring collaboration and "fostering that sense of collaboration." Adaptability, patience, and proficiency in "the company's tech stack" are also key for success in this role, where "things are gonna change" and results may not be immediate.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Partnerships Manager At Paradigm Strategy
Rebecca, a Partnerships Manager at Paradigm Strategy, thrives on the "everyday feels different" aspect of her role, enjoying the strategic work of finding and cultivating partnerships. The impactful aspect of working in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space, a field Rebecca is deeply passionate about, is key to her job satisfaction, making it easier to "communicate that in [her] professional job."
Challenges For a Partnerships Manager at Paradigm Strategy
As the first Partnerships Manager, Rebecca's biggest challenge is "building a new function kind of from scratch," requiring self-accountability and proactive collaboration in a remote work environment. This necessitates effective time management and organization to overcome the isolation inherent in creating a new role.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Technology Industry As a Partnerships Manager
Rebecca enjoys the "diverse set of different types of technologies and industries" in the tech sector, finding it fascinating to learn about various products and their applications. The opportunity to partner with innovative companies and help them build "inclusive cultures and inclusive organizational processes and practices" is a significant source of pride in their current role at Paradigm Strategy.
Who Thrives In Business According To A Partnerships Manager At Paradigm Strategy
Rebecca, a Partnerships Manager at Paradigm Strategy, identifies "being really driven and motivated" and "advocating for yourself" as key traits for success in technology sales. This self-advocacy, which Rebecca notes is a challenge for some, including herself as a Hispanic woman, is crucial for advancement, requiring individuals to be "more vocal than you probably are comfortable being."
What A Partnerships Manager At Paradigm Strategy Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Corporate World
Rebecca, a Partnerships Manager with experience across various industries and roles, advises that "there's really nothing anyone really could have told" her to fully prepare for this career path, emphasizing the importance of remaining adaptable and trusting one's intuition. The most valuable lesson learned was to "not feel like you have to stay in a job that you're not happy in," encouraging career exploration based on personal interests.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Partnerships Managers
Rebecca, a Partnerships Manager, recommends entry-level sales development or business development representative roles as excellent starting points, stating that these roles provide "exposure to a lot of skills applicable to a variety of different sales roles," including foundational skills in communication and time management. These foundational skills then allow for a transition into roles such as account management, account executive, customer success, or even partnerships, as in Rebecca's own career path.
Significant Career Lesson from a Partnerships Manager at Paradigm Strategy
Rebecca, a Partnerships Manager at Paradigm Strategy, identifies "learning to be really comfortable with being uncomfortable" as a crucial career lesson. The experience of starting new roles in various companies and industries, while initially "incredibly overwhelming," consistently led to significant growth, highlighting the value of embracing challenging situations for professional development.
College Experiences That Helped a Partnerships Manager at Paradigm Strategy Succeed
Rebecca's undergraduate success stemmed less from specific actions and more from a "mindset of remaining open," exploring various fields and perspectives, and networking with peers. This openness, which even now keeps options like law school on the table, highlights the value of flexibility and continuous learning in building a fulfilling career.
How Identity Influenced a Partnerships Manager's Career at Paradigm Strategy
Rebecca, a Partnerships Manager, shared that being a female Hispanic professional has presented challenges, including feeling "isolated" as the only woman or Hispanic person on teams. To combat this, the professional recommends seeking out professional communities, both inside and outside of one's company, and proactively asking interview questions about diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to ensure a supportive work environment.
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