Biggest Challenges Faced by an Enterprise Account Executive at a Cybersecurity Startup
Shawn's biggest challenge as an Enterprise Account Executive at a cybersecurity startup is the lack of established processes, meaning "every day is a new day" requiring self-motivation and creating solutions where none exist. This constant adaptation, while frustrating at times, allows for unique contributions and professional growth unavailable in larger corporations.
Entrepreneurship, Startup Environment, Process Creation, Self-Motivation, Problem-Solving
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Shawn Sullivan
Enterprise Account Executive
Cybersecurity Startup
University of Arizona
N/A
Business Management & Admin
Technology
Sales and Client Management
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Working at a startup means a lack of clearly defined roles and responsibilities, requiring self-motivation and adaptability.
2. Every day presents new challenges, demanding the creation of processes and solutions that don't yet exist.
3. This role necessitates proactively identifying and overcoming obstacles, highlighting the importance of resourcefulness and problem-solving skills in a dynamic environment.
Transcript
What is your biggest challenge in your current role?
The biggest challenge for me right now is that I'm working for a startup. When you work for a big company versus a startup, there are trade-offs and opportunities for both professional and personal development.
One of the challenges or opportunities with a startup is that there's not a lot of process. There isn't a job responsibility that is clearly defined. Every day is a new day, and you have to figure out exactly what you need to do.
You have to be internally motivated and self-driven. The flip side is that nothing has been done before, so you're creating a lot of new things. Sometimes the things you need to get your job done more efficiently aren't actually there.
This can lead to some frustrations. After the fact, when you're trying to accomplish something, you realize it would have been nice to have had certain things in place beforehand. You just have to take the challenges of working for a young startup and do the best you can.