Name: Julia Idaewor Role:Technical Account Manager Experience:1 year Concentration:Technology
Julia Idaewor is an energetic technical account manager, living the dream in Texas! She loves to create, connect with others, and isn’t shy about sharing her story! Keep reading to learn more about her journey.
Tell me a bit about yourself.
My name is Julia Idaewor. I moved to metro Atlanta, GA from Lagos, Nigeria when I was 4 years old and stayed in Georgia up until I graduated college! I graduated from the University of Georgia in May 2019 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science. I am currently residing in Dallas, TX working as a Technical Account Manager at Microsoft. I am also a content creator/microinfluencer on the side; I love everything about makeup, singing, dancing, and fashion and am passionate about empowering Black women to live their lives authentically and unapologetically.
What led you to pursue a career in technical account management?
I’ve always been very passionate about being a liaison between the technology and business world. As much as I love technology, coding doesn’t excite me or ignite any passion within me. I’m a people-person; I love talking to others for hours about any and everything, and I wanted to find a role that allowed me to combine my love for tech and talking to people.
Technology consulting allowed me to do just that. Immediately after college, I was recruited to work for Deloitte as a Business Technology Analyst and that experience enhanced my resume and led the way for me to ultimately end up at Microsoft as Technical Account Manager (also known as Customer Success Account Manager).
What did your day-to-day look like before the pandemic? What does it look like now?
I only got to work regularly for a month and a half before we went fully remote, so my work day was not as busy pre-pandemic.
My day-to-day before the pandemic looked like:
- waking up at 7 am, getting ready, and leaving my apartment in Dallas to be at the Microsoft office in Irving by 8:30 am.
- My work mainly consisted of getting onboarded and ramped up with everything as I was still very new to the role. I’d work for a few hours, take an hour lunch break at 12 pm, and leave the office by 4:30 pm.
- As soon as I got home, I’d eat dinner, rest for an hour or so, and get ready for bed to do it all over again the next day.
Nowadays, my days are much more flexible and unpredictable since I currently balance working for 9 different enterprise clients.
- I still wake up around 8 am, check my emails, and prepare for any upcoming customer or internal meetings that day (if any) at the mini office set-up in my room. However, I usually do all of these things while listening to a podcast, a sermon, or the latest social app Clubhouse, so it makes it a bit more fun and engaging.
- I typically work through my lunch break, so I can get off work earlier, and stop working around 4 pm.
What does it take to be successful in your role or industry?
To be successful in my role, you have to be a person with impeccable interpersonal and problem-solving skills. My role requires me to put on many hats; in the course of one day, I can have meetings with anyone from an engineer, to an Account Executive, to an IT Director at a large company.
Knowing how to tailor your speech and provide the necessary context for each role is essential. As long as you are able to do that, you’ll be successful! This role requires some technical knowledge, but interpersonal skills are more valuable and will set you up for success.
What is the biggest industry myth/biggest misconception about the work that you do?
The biggest industry myth is that the only path for Computer Science majors is Software Engineering/Software Development or that you have to major in Computer Science (or a tech-related major) to work at a major tech company. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
There are so many roles that allow you to use your Computer Science degree to create an impact in the tech industry without coding such as
- technology consulting
- product design (UX/UI)
- account management
Related Read: Interview with a Product Designer
You can also break into this industry without having a tech background. While job experiences and having a technical background is important, knowing how to sell your brand accordingly and speak to your experiences appropriately can be all you need to get you through the doors of the tech industry.
What has been your biggest fail that’s taught you a valuable lesson? (personal and professionally)
I don’t even have to think twice with this one, haha. My biggest professional (and personal) fail was during my first internship ever at a large consulting & accounting firm in New York. I was fresh out of my sophomore year of college and started my internship with an optimistic expectation of what I’d be doing in the role for the entire summer. However, the actual role description was something completely different.
Rather than working in the technology sector of the company as a consultant like I thought, I was to spend all summer shadowing accountants and learning about accounting. I knew nothing and didn’t want to learn anything about accounting. I basically confronted my boss about it and asked that I be transferred to a different role on my first day.
Let’s just say… it didn’t go well haha! I ruined my first impression almost instantly. However, she advised that I have a more positive outlook on my unique situation and use this experience to develop my soft skills instead. I heeded her advice, worked hard to rebuild my brand that summer, and ended the internship with a return offer!
The experience definitely taught me that even though life may deal you different cards than you expect at times, you still have the power to transform any situation into a positive one that can be to your benefit just by having an optimistic mindset. I also learned the power of your brand and how important it is to always be mindful of intent versus impact when it comes to choosing your words/actions.
What does success look like to you?
As humans, we constantly move the marker of success for ourselves when it comes to external goals – even if we achieve one highly sought-after goal, we don’t even take time to savor the moment; we’re always wanting more and more. At least, I know I’m super guilty of doing that. Therefore, I personally don’t think a certain job status, financial status, or any external goal achievement equals success. Although I am definitely working towards a number of goals, success, to me, looks like having a life that shows people the inner joy, goodness, kindness, and love of God through the way I treat and inspire people.
I value the relationships in my life so much – I’m constantly thinking of ways I can be a better daughter, sister, friend, aunt, cousin, etc. and make a genuine impact on people. One of my favorite quotes is:
Knowing I’m leaving a mark on this world that brings people closer to God and inspires them to authentically live their lives outside of societal expectations is success to me.
What’s your ultimate career goal?
My ultimate career goal is to be a multifaceted artist! The joy that the cycle of creating new things brings me is unexplainable. I’ve never been satisfied with just doing one thing. I’m so passionate about music, dancing, singing, tech, doing makeup, cinematography, business, etc. and having a “job” that affords me the creative freedom and flexibility to do all of the above each and every day would be a dream. I’m not sure if that exists yet, but I’ll create it eventually if it doesn’t haha!
What do you do outside of work to decompress?
Outside of making TikToks and editing for hours (it’s tedious, but very stress-relieving if you can believe it), you can always find me watching Spongebob, anime, Korean dramas, or psychological thrillers. I’m a movie/TV junkie. I’m the type of person who likes to have no distractions when watching TV. I put my phone on silent and shut out the world completely. I love to get sucked into an alternate reality for a couple of hours, forget about my own problems for a while, and live vicariously through the characters. I also love trash reality TV shows (I mean, who doesn’t)?!
Anything else you’d like to add/ any other advice you’d like to give?
A quote that I heard a few years ago at a Google retreat that has always stuck with me is:
When I fully adopted the mindset that I am my greatest competition, I never looked back. If you’re reading this and you’re doubting yourself and your ability to achieve a long-desired goal of yours because “you’re not good enough,” I want you to know that you are. It doesn’t matter if someone else already did it or currently does it, it doesn’t matter that you’re “late”, it doesn’t matter that you’re “old” or “young,” it doesn’t matter that you don’t have “all of the equipment.” Start with what you have and give yourself a chance to grow. Your God-given gift is unique and will pop differently simply because it’s yours; market saturation is a myth!
How can people see your work and connect with you?
Feel free to send a DM, I always love connecting with new people! You can follow me on:
Technical Account Manager: Deeper Dive
Excited about becoming a Technical Account Manager?
Here’s a deeper look into the role (via Payscale)
- Job Description: A technical account manager provides account management and high-level technical support to project teams and customers.
- Related Roles: Software Developer, Operations Manager, Project Manager
- Popular Companies: Amazon, Microsoft, Twilio, Tableau, Dell
- Popular Skills: Project Management, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Technical Analysis
- Average Salary: $84k/year
WHAT’S NEXT: Nominate a Young Professional!
“Interview With” is a series that follows young professionals who are making major waves in their respective industries.
