There’s been a 25 percent increase in tech talent in Denver in just the last five years, according to the annual Scoring Tech Talent report by commercial real estate firm CBRE. This influx has helped the city secure its position on the top 10 list for tech talent in 2022.
Among new arrivals are millennials, who are choosing Denver to relocate to more than any other city, according to research by SmartAsset. This should come as no surprise, since Colorado has a lot to offer this cohort: mountain sports and city greenspaces, top-notch breweries and eateries, professional sports teams and lively city centers.
While Coloradans accomplish adventurous endeavors outside of the office, they’re equally able to develop their skill sets and careers inside the area’s tech companies.
Built In Colorado sat down with employees from Wunder, Udemy, Agility Recovery and ezCater to find out how these companies support professional development. For those looking for a new growth opportunity, all four companies are hiring.
What they do: The team at Wunder develops software to support large-scale solar projects that power businesses, nonprofits and communities. “We all come from different backgrounds and career paths, but we all have the common goal of saving the planet,” said Senior Recruiter Gavi James. With a background in nonprofit work — and a career in the circus — James thrives when she’s passionate about an organization’s mission. At Wunder, she explained, “I’ve never been surrounded by such a passionate and inspirational group of people.”
Shared purpose: The company is committed to tackling complex problems and collaborating to find solutions. “Our work is hard and our mission is big, but we achieve it with levity, drive and trust,” James explained. “I know my work is contributing to our larger goal,” she said, and has stayed with Wunder because she enjoys both her work and her colleagues.
Learning allowance: Each employee receives $1,500 annually to use for anything related to learning. “It could be directly related to your role or something you’ve always wanted to try,” James noted. Some team members use the budget to attend conferences or training sessions, others enroll in pottery classes or surf lessons. “Whether growth is internal or beyond, it’s a company focus,” James said. Additionally, employees have an unlimited library budget. “In our office, there is a collection of amazing books ranging from self-improvement to novels,” she explained. “If you don’t see the book you’ve been looking to read, Wunder will order it for you. The only requirement is that it’s added to the library after you read it.”
Whether growth is internal or beyond, it’s a company focus.”
What they do: Udemy powers an online marketplace for learning and teaching, connecting learners with an extensive course catalog and a range of teaching styles and instructors with a channel to share their lessons. “Learning is dynamic,” said Lauren Hargarten, senior manager of sales development. “There is so much value a learning solution can provide to a person and an organization.” She said it’s the company’s interwoven product and mission that keeps her excited about her work.
A learning-based sales approach: “When I started at Udemy in 2014, I wasn’t sure if a sales career was right for me, but selling a learning-centric solution changed everything,” Hargarten said. She’s motivated to connect the dots for someone on the value a learning solution can provide. As a salesperson at Udemy, “you’re not stuck to a singular script,” she said. Because of this, “we foster a culture of creativity, collaboration and learning across our sales teams.”
We foster a culture of creativity, collaboration and learning across our sales teams.”
Time for personal development: Each month there is a designated company-wide day of no meetings, notifications or output expectations. “The only agenda item is self-development,” Hargarten explained. She noted that when schedules get busy, personal learning time is limited, so these company days allow for self-reflection and growth. “This quarter, I have been focusing on coaching skills and mindfulness and meditation topics,” Hargarten said.
What they do: Agility Recovery provides teams with a central hub to manage the continuity of their business through unexpected disasters. The company’s commitment to client success is reflected in its commitment to employee success. Enterprise Account Executive Daniel Haessig explained, “I have been provided mentors, teachers and leaders who push me to better myself and the people around me.”
I have been provided mentors, teachers and leaders who push me to better myself and the people around me.”
Climbing the ladder: Haessig said the leaders at Agility take the time to develop each employee individually. “They listen to an employee’s wants and needs and create a development plan to help them grow and succeed in their career,” he explained. His own development plan has helped him achieve four promotions.
Incentives to learn and achieve: Haessig appreciates the incentives that encourage the sales team to perform. “I have gone on some amazing trips and won some cool prizes,” he noted. Additionally, the company’s leadership and business development program provides opportunities to develop presentation, project management and leadership skills. “A bachelor’s degree in business does not stand up to the insight that this intensive program provides,” he added. “It shows the investment the company is making in itself and its employees.”
What they do: Connecting caterers with businesses, ezCater powers a platform that enables companies to manage their corporate food orders, payments, reporting and reviews all in one place. As senior marketing manager of new growth, Tina McDonough explained, “Each day there is a unique opportunity or customer insight to uncover.” Her team’s spirit to “continuously test and learn” drives the company’s work forward.
Internal transitions: Approaching her four-year anniversary with the company, McDonough said it’s the change and growth she’s experienced as a marketer that keeps her thriving. “I have been given the opportunity to step up and lead different channels, flexing my skills where the team needs it,” she said. She’s transitioned from the catering partner side of the business to the customer side and now leads marketing initiatives across customer acquisition and retention. “I get to lead a team of two individuals and am actively hiring to grow the team,” McDonough said. “It’s been a great evolution.”
I have been given the opportunity to step up and lead different channels, flexing my skills where the team needs it.”
Enabling balance: The company’s remote-hybrid work model and the work-life balance has been a game changer for McDonough. “I have the ability to choose to go into the office to meet with the team or take time off to care for family members without the fear of being offline,” she explained. “Our team trusts that we will manage our workload and offers flexibility on how and where we accomplish that.”
