Why I Never Left My First Job After College

When she joined CapTech fresh out of college 12 years ago, Gabriella Baum probably wasn’t thinking she’d be here all these years later, but thankfully, she’s never had a reason to leave.

In her time here, Baum has gotten to work on different projects and learn from coworkers and mentors, all of which led her to her current role as CapTech’s Managing Director of Data & Analytics. “For over a decade, I’ve felt supported, yet challenged in every step of my career journey and that’s thanks to my coworkers,” she says. “I attribute my technical knowledge, consulting acumen, and general professional development to others at CapTech and the experiences I have been given at CapTech.”

Tell us about your career journey, and what inspired you to pursue a career in data and analytics.

Honestly, it was by accident. I thought I wanted to be a business analyst, but I was staffed as a data analyst on my first consulting project out of college. That project was my first professional exposure to data and analytics, and it showed me how much I love data. I enjoy problem solving and each data project feels like a difficult problem that I get to use data to solve.

From a bigger picture standpoint, I like empowering my clients to use their data to make more informed and grounded business decisions. There’s something exciting to me about drawing meaningful, impactful, and strategic insights from data. This can take a lot of different forms—it could influence an organization’s strategy, such as defining a marketing approach based on customer segmentation, or provide a social impact, such as improving a care plan for patients based on having more accurate, accessible, and timely data. Data is at the center of everything and that’s where I want to be!

You’ve been at CapTech for more than a decade. What’s kept you there for so long?

A few things come to mind, but first and foremost is the people. CapTech is such a collaborative organization where the people around you want to support, and lift up one another. Whenever I’ve needed technical or career advice, there have been multiple team members at CapTech who’ve made themselves available to answer my questions, share their perspectives, and provide a second opinion. For over a decade, I’ve felt supported, yet challenged in every step of my career journey and that’s thanks to my coworkers. Additionally, there are so many opportunities at CapTech for self-driven development—you own your career and that’s something I want and need in a company.

Why does the work you’re doing at CapTech excite and inspire you?

No two projects are ever the same. I’m constantly learning something new, whether it’s a new business industry or a new technology, or both at the same time! Every day I feel challenged in a different way, and while at times that can be stressful, it excites and motivates me.

You’ve been promoted several times since joining CapTech. How has the company helped you grow and develop?

Without question the people at CapTech have mentored and coached me to where I am today in my career. I joined CapTech out of college—it was my first full-time job and has been my only full-time job. I attribute my technical knowledge, consulting acumen, and general professional development to others at CapTech and the experiences I have been given at CapTech. Although I have received formal training throughout my career, I attribute most of my professional and technical development to being put in stretch roles to push myself harder or in a different way than I had before. This was done while being provided support from a CapTech mentor or SME to ensure I was successful in that new challenge.

What has been the key to your success working in an industry where women are often underrepresented?

I try not to think of myself as a female in a male dominated industry—I think of myself as a leader in a technology industry. I do not let my gender define me or restrict me from what I want to or believe I can achieve. In my opinion, success begins with believing in yourself. I think my viewpoint coupled with my work ethic and ambition have been my keys to success.

If you’re interested in starting a new career journey with CapTech, please visit our open positions and apply today!

Republished from The Muse.