In Colorado, a state known for towering mountains, expansive rivers and awe-inspiring canyons, geographic landscapes have been and continue to be an influential factor for sparking — or demanding — human innovation and invention.
In the 19th century, railroad expansions brought ease of transportation, trade and an influx of settlers to the state. Meanwhile, the development of efficient mining techniques in the area brought about further economic and population growth.
In the 20th century, hydroelectric plants harnessed the energy of the Colorado River to generate electricity for homes and businesses, an antenna fixed upon a mountaintop laid the foundation for cable TV and the Solar Energy Research Institute made multiple breakthroughs in renewable energy.
In the 21st century, it’s no wonder that Colorado remains a hotspot for those who aim to march forward into new frontiers and weather unfamiliar terrain — a trend that is forecasted to continue. According to the Colorado Tech Industry Report, tech jobs are projected to grow by 11 percent over the next five years.
At two Colorado companies, Ball Aerospace and Iterable, innovative thinking is encouraged and supported from the moment a new hire sets foot in the door. These organizations are now hiring, and current employees gave a sneak peek into what awaits fresh talent.
Iterable is a customer communications platform used by brands like DoorDash, Calm and Fender to deliver dynamic, individualized and scalable digital experiences.
Think back to first joining the team. What drew you to Iterable? How have your expectations been met since coming aboard?
What initially drew me in was Iterable’s impressive list of customers! Renowned brands like Doordash, Glassdoor, Calm and SeatGeek were on the roster, brands that I personally admired and had a genuine connection with as a consumer. Unlike the B2B norm of working with non-consumer-facing brands or entities that have limited interaction beyond the professional realm, Iterable offered an opportunity to be part of a company operating in a vibrant customer landscape!
When I got to the interview phase with Iterable, the way their team spoke about and demonstrated the company’s values caught my attention. Coming from a long tenure at my previous company, I had my reservations about forming deep connections with a new team and finding a values-aligned environment. But Iterable’s culture was nothing short of what was promised — supportive, collaborative and brimming with kind-hearted individuals who embraced curiosity and made me feel welcome. It was refreshing to see that the company culture aligned with my own beliefs and principles.
Iterable’s culture was nothing short of what was promised — supportive, collaborative and brimming with kind-hearted individuals who embraced curiosity and made me feel welcome.”
Reflecting on my past nearly four years at Iterable, I can confidently say that my expectations have been exceeded!
What’s been your biggest success story since joining the team?
One of my biggest success stories since joining the team has been building and developing the go-to-market enablement team. When I first came on board, I was brought in as the only person supporting the sales organization. However, I was given an amazing opportunity to expand the team and provide support for our go-to-market efforts. It was an exciting challenge to fill open roles supporting sales and customer success globally and build a strong team while focusing on developing the individuals within it.
Seeing the team members’ growth and progress made this experience truly rewarding. I had the privilege of coaching two talented individual contributors who eventually moved into manager positions, leading their own teams. Witnessing their careers take off and knowing that I played a part in their development has been incredibly fulfilling.
Building a cohesive and high-performing team and having the chance to nurture and guide individuals as they advance in their careers has been a major accomplishment for me. It highlights my ability to identify talent and create an environment where people can thrive and make a lasting impact within the organization.
Your company is currently hiring for a handful of roles. How can new hires make an immediate impact at Iterable?
First and foremost, it’s crucial that new hires prioritize onboarding content. Take the time to absorb and engage with the materials provided, as they lay the foundation for your understanding of the organization. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, even if they may seem challenging. Your fresh perspective brings value, and by challenging the status quo, you can contribute to driving positive change.
Also, seize the numerous opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and project work within the company. Join tiger teams or affinity groups that align with your interests and passions. These platforms offer chances to make a tangible difference by sparking creativity and bringing forth innovative ideas. I’ve witnessed a considerable number of team members actively embracing these opportunities for extra-curricular engagement and cross-functional collaboration, like Jeffrey on my team, who immersed himself in Iterable’s PRIDE group, and Rachel, who jumped into the Women’s Network. Through these experiences, they’ve developed strong cross-functional relationships, honed their leadership skills, and have been invited to speak on prominent panels!
BAE Systems, Space & Mission Systems develops spacecrafts, payloads, sensors and more that deliver insightful data, advance exploration missions and fortify national security.
Think back to first joining the team. What drew you to BAE Systems? How have your expectations been met since coming aboard?
My brother and sister-in-law worked at BAE Systems and would tell me stories of the people and the programs they were working on. It always sounded like a wonderful workplace with a great culture and rewarding projects. I came from retail, so when I started in 2000 as an administrator, I was nervous about entering the aerospace industry.
My expectations have been met primarily because I have always been given the opportunity to succeed. Hard work is noticed, and so many resources are available to grow and choose your career path while working with managers and mentors to make it happen. But, while opportunities were there, I still had to walk through the open door and leave my comfort zone to take on harder and more challenging roles, eventually leading me to leadership positions. If you’re willing to challenge yourself, you never stop learning and gaining new skills.
I am glad for all those experiences, and I can now draw on that knowledge to mentor other young talent starting their journey at BAE Systems.
What’s been your biggest success story since joining the team?
My biggest success so far has been some of the work done as the director of operations for our tactical solutions strategic business unit. In that role, I could apply skills gained from previously supporting finance and engineering through new lenses. I have fostered many strong relationships that I can lean on, and I am proud to say that I broke down some existing barriers by developing strong teams and process enhancements. I took what I’ve learned about staffing, capital, finance and program execution and put that knowledge to work while also collecting regular feedback from our teams to help solve challenges.
I have fostered many strong relationships that I can lean on, and I am proud to say that I broke down some existing barriers by developing strong teams and process enhancements.”
One of the major projects I’m proud to have seen through is the latest expansion of our Aerospace Manufacturing Center in Westminster, CO. It was a combined effort of our manufacturing and test operations, facilities, finance and other groups to get the project underway and I was thrilled to be able to see it from beginning to the grand opening. It’s proof that in order to get something large done, you have to work as a team across the business.
Your company is currently hiring for a handful of roles. How can new hires make an immediate impact at BAE Systems?
Our team members all bring unique abilities, personalities and skill sets that only make BAE Systems better. I think whatever wisdom new hires bring with them can be put to good use as we strive to be open-minded to new and efficient ways of improving how we execute programs. I would encourage new hires to never hesitate to reach out for guidance and resources.
As part of the culture at BAE Systems, team members organically want to help new hires in this company. But it’s just as important for veteran employees to offer resources as it is for newer team members to take the initiative to help achieve their goals. If you’re searching for a mentor, be specific about what you want to be mentored on and work with your manager on finding the right fit for what you need. Good leaders always know people with different skill sets who can share their knowledge to benefit fellow team members and, ultimately, the company as a whole.
