Considering Pivoting Into a Tech Role? Here’s How I Did Just That!

Erika Thomas’ career journey began ten years ago when she joined the workforce as a sales assistant at a broadcast television rep firm. From there, “to heighten growth opportunities, I made a lateral move to Ampersand in 2017 as a Campaign Manager (CM),” Thomas tells us. Here, she mentored and trained other CMs before being promoted to a Senior Campaign Manager role. Then, in 2022, Thomas pivoted her career to take on a new path as a QA Software Engineer.

Looking back on her career up to this point, Thomas emphasizes how her different roles helped prepare her for her current position. “As an end user for many years, I was knowledgeable about the functionality of our platform applications,” she says. “My vast knowledge of the platform proved to be a major asset when I pivoted, and it was time to replicate and log system bugs.”

As a QA manual tester, Thomas relies on these time-honed skills as well as “her human eye and smarts” to record detailed test scripts and test bugs that are present in new and existing software — along with making sure the final tests meet end users’ needs and expectations.

“My day-to-day tasks are never the same,” she tells us. “I start each day with multiple meetings: one with the QA team and the others with Sprint teams. For most of my day, I am reading and replicating end-user support tickets, which vary in priority and complexity, tracking bugs and enhancements, and performing thorough testing of bug fixes. I typically end my day meeting with the Customer Support team to discuss and give updates on pressing issues reported by end users.”

To learn more about Thomas’ career pivot — as well as her best advice for you — we recently caught up with her. Here’s what she had to say…

What made you decide to make a career change and pivot to your current role?

As a Senior Campaign Manager, I was automatically on the trajectory to continue in Sales, but I didn't think that was necessarily the track for me. 

I am a self-proclaimed professional student who finds joy in learning, but I also enjoy helping others. I desired to acquire certifications and troubleshoot issues that I would encounter within the AND Platform™ (Ampersand’s proprietary platform). Pivoting to my current role required me to step out of my comfort zone and be open-minded to work in a department that would satisfy my desire to learn and assist others in a unique way.

How did you make this switch, and how did Ampersand support you in this process?

One of Ampersand’s values is growth and the company gives “people headroom to grow and legroom to run”  — which is something that I experienced firsthand. I joined the company’s Open Jobs Slack channel (where new job opportunities are posted in real-time), and I simply saw the opportunity and took it. 

After becoming a member of the QA team, I took advantage of courses offered by Ampersand to help make my transition from Sales to Technology less difficult. My former manager was also supportive when I mentioned my interest in exploring other departments within the company, offering to give a favorable recommendation of my strong work ethic and willingness to learn and assist others.

What was some of the advice you received that encouraged you to apply for a different position in another department?

It can be intimidating talking to a supervisor about career goals, especially when it involves leaving their team to join another. I was blessed to have supervisors who always encouraged me and other team members to excel and grow within the company. I was encouraged to apply, be myself, and highlight my problem-solving skills, attention to detail, adaptability, relationship-building skills, and love of learning.

How have you benefited from the skills and experience you’ve gained in your career pivot?

I’ve benefited both professionally and personally from the skills and experiences I’ve gained in my career pivot.

Professionally, I have collaborated with people within the organization who I may not have engaged with had I stayed in my previous role. Now that I work internally, cross-team collaboration happens frequently. Fostering relationships with my team and others helped me get acclimated to my new position because they were always available to answer my questions.

I have also used some of the testing techniques I use at work to investigate things in my everyday life, like why my air fryer begins to smoke when I use a certain outlet or why my kitchen light flickers when I open my refrigerator door. It’s fascinating how my investigative skills have changed! It’s true; once a tester, always a tester.

What is your best piece of advice for other women who are thinking about making a career pivot?

Go for it! Instead of thinking, “What’s the worst that could happen?” ask yourself, “What’s the best that could happen?” Betting on yourself, whether it’s learning a new skill or making a career pivot, could be the one thing that catapults not only your professional life but also your personal life in ways that you couldn’t begin to imagine. Invest and believe in yourself!

Looking back on your career as a whole, what would you say has been your most valuable career mistake?

The most valuable career mistake I have made was thinking my career path was linear. Sometimes, we get into roles and believe that we must stay on a specific track to stay employed or to satisfy the goals the company has set. It’s not true! We all possess soft skills that would be valuable in any role; if you do not have all the hard skills needed, highlight your soft skills and be open to learning. You may just launch your new career.

Finally, what are your favorite things about working at Ampersand?

I enjoy working in a relaxed environment with people I enjoy. Some of my greatest friendships started at the company. The Corporate and Local Culture Councils ensure everyone feels included by highlighting the diverse makeup of the company and our communities. They’ve hosted several events ranging from a Black History Month luncheon to a companywide game of trivia during Women’s History Month.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the company’s perks. In addition to holiday closures, the company is closed two weeks out of the year to allow us to refresh and connect with friends and family, and during the summer our offices close early on Fridays. We also have an excellent benefits package that includes medical and dental insurance and 401(k) match.

Fairygodboss is proud to partner with Ampersand. Find a job there today!