Career Rocket is a joint collaboration between Empathetic Machines and DURMC
Target audience for this episode: aspiring digital analytics and optimization professionals seeking career tips
Today’s guest is my friend Reid Bryant who is ridiculously smart, kind, and authentic. He was the first person hired for which I did not have a specific open role. However, he was so technically smart, driven, and grounded that I convinced our company at the time to make a spot for Reid.
Background. Liberal arts UNC business administration background. Worked in real estate finance type roles for 7 years out of undergrad. NC State friends joke that he went back to NC State's Institute for Advanced Analytics to get a technical masters degree in order to be able to do something useful. Worked at two smaller digital experience consulting firms for 6 years with most of that experience focused on building and leading teams in a VP of Analytics type role. Currently at Red Hat serving as a Director of Marketing Analytics. Married to the perfect woman, proud dad to two crazy but awesome kiddos and a big UNC basketball fan
Roughly, how many people have you managed (includes direct reports and their teams) over your career? Current and past totals about 40.
For each career stage, please share the most important advice you can offer people in the field of digital analytics. (4:18)
Entry level: 1-3 years. Focus on breadth of training, rather than depth, especially early in a career.
Mid career: 3-5 years. Understand your 'value over replacement' related to peers in the workplace
Senior level: 6+ years. The paradox of success is that what made you successful in the past won't likely make you successful in a new role with larger responsibilities.
Mgr/Directors. Never forget that the higher you go the less connected you become with daily work.
Looking ahead, where do you think are the upcoming hot spots in digital careers, specifically around analytics or optimization? (21:36) Data architects and data engineering. Individuals that have those niche skill sets, when combined with a general understanding of analytics, should have bright futures ahead of them.
Looking back, please share what you feel have been the biggest drivers of your successful career? (25:18) I remain committed to discovering opportunities. You must foster emotional intelligence.
What are habits you have built over the years that have contributed to your success? (29:37) Being open to change. Surround yourself with people that will challenge you.
What does living abundantly mean to you? (32:55) The One Thing book would suggest that we must first define a life purpose and how work contributes to give us space to live abundantly. We all juggle balls for work, family, friends, health, etc. Most folks view all those balls as glass, but in reality if done well work is rubber. Self prioritization and contingency plans put into place by leadership should make it like a rubber ball.
If there was one thing you would like to tell someone earlier on in their career that you wish someone had told you, what would it be? (34:35) No one really knows anything, be careful of those that act like they have it all figured out.
