Take the Opportunities Presented to You

Name: Andrea Latimer 
Role: Consultant
Location: Connecticut
Practice: Applications & Cloud Technologies 
Joined Sogeti: 2017

“Choose your own path at Sogeti.”

It’s something that is repeated often and enthusiastically around here. You can see it in the décor at Sogeti offices around the country. It’s something that you’ll be told when you interview for a position with Sogeti. And it would be easy to think that is just something that is said to get you in the door here.

It’s not, and I’m proof of that.

When you’re fresh out of college, it can feel overwhelming for someone to tell you that you can choose your own career path. There are so many opportunities, so many paths to choose and that can be overwhelming right after you graduate. At the time, I honestly didn’t know that was something that would be important to me when I chose a career.

When I first started at Sogeti’s Atlanta office, I was working in the Insights & Data practice as a test manager. It was a pretty cool job to have right out of college as I initially wanted to do data analysis. I enjoyed it. However, deep down I felt it wasn’t the exact right fit for me. I wanted to go the project management route.

Then I was presented with an opportunity to move to Connecticut and switch to the Applications & Cloud Technologies practice. Initially, I was hesitant as I was born and raised in Atlanta. All my family and friends were there, and I knew no one in the north east. However, after some initial reluctance, I decided to take the opportunity and move to Connecticut.  

It the best career move I have made in my short career.

Since then, my life has been a bit of a rollercoaster. It was a quick move. I had only about a month between the time I found out about the position to when I had to start in Connecticut, so that part was a bit stressful. I also expected the move to be difficult for me because it was such a new experience to be away from my friends and family. It was intimidating to have to establish myself as I wanted to be in this completely new place.

Surprisingly, I was able to acclimate fairly quickly. I found a good soccer team to join and made some great friends from that in addition to meeting new people at my gym. I think it was the routine that helped me to become acclimated so quickly. My family also helped make this a smooth transition for me.

For me, this move was significant and risky because I knew that Sogeti didn't—and still doesn't—have an established office in the Connecticut. However, Sogeti has been so supportive with anything I would need during this transition.

I like to think the move to Connecticut was my first significant step in "becoming an adult.” If I were still in Atlanta, I think my career would have become stagnant because I don't think I would have had the confidence that I have gained from moving.

I’m so grateful for this opportunity and it has taught me an important lesson. It’s important to take opportunities that are presented to you. Even if it might not be exactly what you think you want, it can lead to something truly great and career-changing.

I chose my career path at Sogeti, and I’m a better person for it.