Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

Name: Lisa Ouyang
Role: Associate Consultant
Location: Atlanta
Practice: Applications and Cloud Technologies
Joined Sogeti: 2017

When I was in my senior year at Georgia College, I was fortunate to receive three job offers at the same time, and Sogeti was one of them. When I compared the benefits that Sogeti had to offer to what my friends were being offered, there was no question.

My first two weeks at Sogeti were spent at the new hire training academy in Cincinnati. That was a great experience because I learned so much about Sogeti, our practices, and all the amazing work that we have done for our clients. It was also a great networking experience, and I got to meet Sogetians from other units and make important connections.

It was a very rewarding experience, and really set the tone for my time at Sogeti so far. I knew that even though I had just graduated, my learning had just begun.  

Sogeti has really supported me in my education goals as I continue to grow and learn. I’ve already gotten several certifications during my time here, including my CSM (Certified Scrum Master) and CSPO (Certified Scrum Product Owner). I’m also working on my CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management). My GVP is always very supportive of my career growth and educational goals. In general, I’ve found that fellow Sogetians are always willing to help you and guide you in the right direction.

Beyond my certifications, I’ve also learned the importance of being proactive. You have to put yourself out there. Sometimes people avoid doing that because it makes them feel uncomfortable but being uncomfortable isn’t necessarily a bad thing. When you step out of your comfort zone, it forces you to learn. When I first started at Sogeti, I thought that I needed to know everything in order to do my job well. But I’m learning that it’s ok to not have all the answers.

Recently, I went back to my alma mater and attended the very same career fair where I first talked to Sogeti. It was cool to be able to go back and be on the other side of that conversation, discussing career aspirations with college students. It was great to be able to share my experience and answer their questions, especially since I was in that position not so long ago.

I encourage candidates to ask their recruiter about career growth at the company. That’s one question that I made sure to ask every company. It’s so important to know what to look forward to, and if you don’t see any growth for you at the company, that might not be the right place for you.

Growth is so important for a successful career. If you’re not continuing to learn while you work, you’re missing an opportunity. In the IT field, it is crucial that you keep yourself current with your certifications. It’s what makes you most attractive to clients and management, and it shows that you take your job seriously.

Seek out the answers to your questions. Put yourself out there, and great things will come your way.

Learning does not end when you graduate. The best and most successful people continue to learn throughout their careers. And that is what I will continue to do.