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Advice / Job Search / Finding a Job

How I Landed a Job I Love in a Totally Different Field

Our mission here at The Muse is simple: to help you find your dream job. So, there’s nothing we love more than hearing about it when you do!

Today, we chatted with Yasmin Matthew, who works in sales at marketing analytics software company TrackMaven. Originally in education, she was thrilled to find a job that utilized her previous experience, strengths, and passions in a whole new way. She wholeheartedly believes in finding a job that excites you, and by highlighting her transferrable skills, she was able to smoothly transition into a career that does just that.

Read below to learn more about her story, then check out TrackMaven’s offices and see how you can land a great new gig of your own!

Tell us a little about yourself!

I graduated from Vanderbilt University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, then got my master’s degree in education from Johns Hopkins. I’ve always had a wide range of interests, including things like music, education, and technology, so finding opportunities that allow me to seamlessly blend my passions together has been challenging. Post graduation, I became a Teach For America corps member in Baltimore, Maryland, where I taught third and fourth grade. I thrive in environments where there are clear goals set and you are able to see the direct impact that your hard work is making on the company, so I feel fortunate to have found that in my new position at TrackMaven.


What’s your title at your new role, and what does this mean in terms of what you’re doing day to day?

I’m a Sales Development Representative. Day to day, I am one of the first points of contact for marketers interested in using TrackMaven. Therefore, I am responsible for conveying to potential clients how our platform can help them optimize their marketing efforts.


What were you looking for in a job?

Coming from being a teacher, where every day is different and you are constantly kept on your toes, I was looking for an environment that was fast-paced and ever-changing. I also wanted to find a position that allowed me to utilize my strengths of being goal-driven, detail-oriented, and effective at communicating.


What attracted you to the company when you found it on The Muse?

When I first found TrackMaven on The Muse, I was immediately intrigued because of its startup environment and data-driven platform. Coming from the education world, using data to set goals, create action plans, and track growth is something that I was very familiar with. So, finding a company that combined different pieces of my background was exciting to me.

I immediately began looking through the available jobs and found an opening in sales, which was a great way for me to use my strengths. After reading through different employee interviews and the background of the company and learning more about the office culture, I was sold!



Learn More About Working at TrackMaven



What’s something most people would find surprising about working at TrackMaven?

When I was interviewing with TrackMaven, I was told that the company is big on being transparent so that we can continue to get better at what we do. I think it’s easy to say that to someone during an interview, but you truly never know what you’re going to get when you walk through the door. However, from my first day at work, there were tough questions being asked, and very transparent and direct answers being given. I really appreciate how open everyone is and think it’s just one special part of the culture of TrackMaven.


What’s your favorite part so far about working at TrackMaven?

The people, and in turn the culture that has been created at TrackMaven, are definitely my favorite parts. Coming from a completely different field, I naturally have a lot of questions and a lot to learn about the marketing and startup world, but everyone has been extremely helpful as I get adjusted.

Also, TrackMaven has managed to build a company full of incredibly talented, bright, and hard-working individuals while fostering a supportive team at the same time. It’s rare that you find a company in which everyone wants to reach their goals but doesn’t step on anyone’s toes to get there.


Is there anything from The Muse that helped you out in your job hunt?

I’m a very visual person, so being able to get an inside look into the companies through different pictures and videos on The Muse was huge for me. It was also nice to hear first-hand from current employees what they love about the company. As someone who knew that I wanted to switch fields, I had some reservations about how I would appeal to different companies. So articles like “5 Secret Weapons That Can Help You Successfully Change Careers” really gave me the confidence I needed to pursue a different path.


Is there anything you did during your application process that helped you stand out and land the job?

When I was putting together my resume to submit to TrackMaven, I made sure to highlight my transferable skills from teaching. Since I was transitioning into a new field, it was important to show that my past experiences were still relevant. Also, I was truly interested in the work TrackMaven is doing. So, during my interviews, I tried to convey my excitement for the company and ultimately made sure to be myself.


What advice would you have for someone who wants to make a transition like yours?

Don’t be afraid to explore opportunities outside of your current field. Instead of thinking that you aren’t qualified for something, think about what excites you. Once you start to find more opportunities, tailor your resume and cover letter in a way that leverages your experiences and strengths into making you an ideal fit for the new company. Finally, even though the job hunt can be draining, try your best not to get defeated, because ultimately, you want to make sure to take your time to find something that truly fits you. Remember—it’s a marathon, not a sprint.