Why Joining a Century-Old Company Instead Of Another Startup Was My Best Tech Career Move

Why Joining a Century-Old Company Instead Of Another Startup Was My Best Tech Career Move As a woman carving out a career in tech, knowing the best path forward can feel nebulous, especially when choosing the schriftart of company you want to join. Do you go the popular departureup route, where opportunity abounds but the path to advancement is less-than clear? Or do you instead take a job in a more traditional corporate environment, where growth options are established but often beleaguered by red tape and processes?For Jess Salzbrun, today a Director of Digital Product Management at General Electric Aviation, shes tried a little of everything. From working at tech startups, to founding her own company, to ultimately landing at a historic corporation, Salzbrun has been part of a variety of cultures and believes the one shes found at GE constitutes the ideal blend.Recently, she shared with Fairygodboss exactly how GE empowers her to push the envelope, as well as the fruchtwein memor able piece of career advice shes ever received (hint it involves lipstick).How long have you been in your current role, and what were you doing previously?Ive been in my current role for eight months. I joined GE following a three-year stint with tech startups. Prior to that, I spent seven years working in retail analytics and technology.Tell us a bit about your current role. What are your priorities?I work to develop software solutions for managing millions of GEs aviation assets. Want to know which groupie blades are installed on an engine? How many hours an aircraft has flown? Were working to make it easy to log, update, and retrieve that information.Whats the biggest challenge youve faced as a woman in tech?Ive found initial impressions are key. As a woman, youre not always given the same benefit of presumed knowledge in your space. I know the value I can bring to the table and I dont let fear stop me from sharing it.How has GE been particularly supportive in helping you overcom e this challenge? Has the support youve received felt reflective of GEs overall culture/policies?Im surrounded by women in technology leadership roles at GE. Around here, if youre the best at what you do, it doesnt matter who you are. Youre going to be put into the role that you deserve.What initially drew you to GE? And whats one of the most amazing things about your workplace that you didnt learn until working here?I love that GE is both a century-old company rich with history and an agile organization striving for the leading edge. One of my favorite (and most surprising) things about working at GE has been our culture. I was admittedly nervous rejoining the corporate workforce after years at startups, but for as large and old as GE is, we maintain an appropriately casual atmosphere. I have yet to experience any of the typical corporate stigmas, hierarchical rules of engagement, or unnecessary stringencies. Around here, everyone works hard to achieve a common goal, whatever the p ath to get there may look like.What are three things you make sure to do each workday before you disconnect?1. Inbox zero. I ensure Ive read, filed, or responded to every email I receive each day.2. Im an obsessive list maker. I start each week with a list of everything I need to accomplish, broken down by day. Each afternoon, I review my list to check that Im on track and add or adjust as necessary to ensure I deliver what Ive promised.3. I check in with my team. I work with an almost entirely remote team, and so keeping communication channels open is critical. Sometimes its touching base on a project, other times its just a hello and word of appreciation for the work theyre doing. Building trust and respect among coworkers is, in my opinion, the No. 1 contributor to team success.Whats something youre especially good at at work?Its been a learned skill, but I enjoy taking a large nebulous problem and breaking it down into a digestible solution with small action steps. Its a valuabl e competency on teams tasked with big challenges. Looking at a huge mission all at once can be overwhelming. But by decomposing the problem into smaller and smaller pieces, the path forward begins to emerge.What about outside of work?Ive renovated a number of historic homes and keep busy with a constantly evolving list of creative pursuits. I love painting, baking, spoon carving, and interior design to name a few.What are you trying to improve on?Taking ownership of a problem that may be a stretch for my role. If I recognize an opportunity to add value that may be tangential to my cut-and-dry job description, Im working on having the confidence and courage to step out in faith and tackle it anyway.What are you currently reading/watching/listening to?Im a podcast junkie. Classic favorites are Radiolab, TED Radio Hour, This American Life, and How I Built This.Whats the one career move youve made that youre most proud of?Leaving the comfort and security of a corporate career to start m y own company. I paid myself $6,000 that year and I worked 80+ hours a week. But I learned more in that time than I did in my seven years of prior corporate experience combined. Without it, I am confident my career wouldnt be what it is today.Whats the most memorable piece of career advice youve received?A few years into my career, I had a particularly challenging month personally. One morning at work it must have shown on my face because a woman in senior leadership pulled me aside. She didnt ask any questions, but she shared a personal anecdote about a tough season in her life a few years back. She said, On the days that I struggled to get up and put on a smile, those were the days I put on lipstick. Lipstick can mean different things to different women, but my lesson from that was this On your inevitable hard days (whether personally or professionally) those are the days to try harder. Forcing yourself out of your prototyp routine in small ways starts a chain reaction of positivi ty and productivity throughout your day. That advice has served me well.Whats your 1 piece of for women who are pursuing careers in STEM, or in other industries that tend to be dominated by men?Dont overthink it. If you want a career in STEM, chase after a career in STEM. Your experiences may be different from those of a man, but if youre passionate, talented, and driven, the only thing stopping you is yourself. Self-imposed doubt has never done anyone any favors. You are capable. Dont let yourself forget that.--Fairygodboss is proud to partner with GE. Find a job there today