Early-in-career experiences in tech at BigPanda

Embarking on your career journey can be an exciting time filled with potential and promise. We want to spotlight some BigPanda team members just starting their professional paths with us. From new graduates to those making career transitions, these early-in-career professionals bring unique perspectives and a passion for innovation. These individuals reflect our company’s core values of hunger, extreme ownership, active transparency, relentless customer focus, and one team (HEART).

Whether you’re an aspiring tech leader or simply curious about what it’s like to start your career at BigPanda, get a glimpse into the journeys of people shaping our company’s future.

Rising from intern to account manager

I’ve been at BigPanda for five years now! I started as a college intern for the sales and marketing teams. When I graduated early, I started working full-time right away. My first role was as a business development representative, doing cold outreach to find prospective customers and educate them about the platform. A year and a half later, I was promoted to run mid-market sales in our central region. Now, I work as an account manager for our strategic customers to help align what we do with their business and technical goals.

I’ve learned so much here. Since this was my first job out of college, I started with basic corporate skills. (I was pumped when I learned how to add an email signature.) I’ve learned several job-specific skills and methodologies and traveled the country to meet customers and prospects. One of the best things has been learning about our customers’ industries and business models. Working closely to understand their technology initiatives has taught me a lot about how technology impacts our daily lives, from airlines and insurance to restaurants, financial institutions, and more.

I’ve been so fortunate to work with Pandas who took an interest in my personal and professional growth. Stacey Priem and Byron Schwab took me under their wing when I started; I consider them both great colleagues and friends!

Building engineering skills

When I joined BigPanda as a junior software engineer in 2022, I was the least experienced member of the integrations team by a large margin. My desire to grow has driven my success, and BigPanda has provided incredible learning opportunities.

I had almost no experience with most industry-standard cloud and infrastructure tools on my first day. Now, with the guidance and support of many mentors, I’ve grown into a mid-level engineer position. I contribute to a robust ecosystem of services that processes millions of records every day!

My experience has been invaluable. The BigPanda culture prioritizes personal development and focuses on skill growth and learning through experience. I’ve felt empowered to take on opportunities I wouldn’t have had elsewhere, like designing and implementing new features myself. I’m always encouraged to share my ideas, which has played a huge role in building my confidence and helping me realize my potential.

My biggest piece of advice if you’re starting your career is never to be afraid to ask questions! Everyone deals with imposter syndrome at some point, and it can feel intimidating to admit you don’t have all the answers. Everyone is always learning, no matter where they are in their career. I’ve found that BigPanda values curiosity and a willingness to grow. Asking questions isn’t considered a weakness but a way to develop.

Helping enhance company culture

I joined the BigPanda People team in February 2023 and took responsibility for the office and employee experience at the Israel site. Since then, I’ve enhanced my skills, increased my responsibilities, and contributed to improving the company culture. This is my first role in a fast-paced technology environment. I had to adapt quickly, learn how the company operates, and get to know its unique culture. Working as the main point of contact for the office, I’ve refined my problem-solving abilities, taught me to be more independent in my decision-making, and given me the confidence to take on new challenges.

I was drawn to BigPanda because of its dynamic and supportive environment. The people, culture, and personal attention I received during the interview process all stood out. My initial connection with my direct manager and the entire team felt natural. It was clear that BigPanda was the right place to start my career, and I was eager to be part of a company that truly invests in employee success.

Before joining BigPanda, I studied for my degree in psychology and management, aiming for a career in human resources, but I wasn’t sure which area would suit me best. My manager has been key in this process, providing me with tools to identify what aligns with my aspirations. Today, I better understand how to bring my personality into my work, which has helped me discover new strengths. While I’m still exploring my career path, my experience has given me a clearer sense of direction. It has allowed me to identify the areas where I can make a meaningful impact, especially in creating a positive work environment and supporting employee well-being.

Expanding skills and knowledge

I started at BigPanda as an IT inventory contractor at the end of my community college program with the goal of stepping into the tech industry. My role initially involved coordinating laptop shipments for remote employees. As I became more involved, I identified gaps in our inventory management processes, which allowed me to contribute beyond my original responsibilities. After two months, I transitioned into a full-time role, expanding my involvement to include inventory management and endpoint security as part of the BigPanda Trust team. My journey at BigPanda has allowed me to dive deeper into cybersecurity, which is where I want to focus in the future.

When I started, I thought cybersecurity was highly technical and required specialized certifications. Step by step, as I worked on strengthening our IT systems, I found myself increasingly involved in the field. I’ve expanded my skills to include endpoint security management, access management, cloud security, and even high-level, confidential customer communications.

Working at BigPanda has taught me the importance of adaptability and continuous learning. Career growth isn’t always linear: There are always opportunities to evolve, even in highly technical fields. My experience has shaped my career path by encouraging me to embrace new challenges and actively seek areas to contribute and grow. I’ve developed a strong interest in cloud security, and my work at BigPanda has deepened my understanding of application security in real-world contexts. My computer science studies provide the fundamental knowledge that enhances my work, creating a valuable connection between my education and professional experiences.

Become a Panda!

We’re seeking more talented, passionate, creative, and fun people to join our team! Explore careers at BigPanda.