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 LaTanya Elam, a Public Health Financial Analyst with Graham Technologies.
LaTanya was looking for a job where she could continue to expand her knowledge of federal procurements mechanisms, but also one that would provide work-life balance so she could care for her family. Thanks to Graham Technologies’ family oriented environment, LaTanya is able to do just that.
Read on to learn more about her story, then check out Graham Technologies’ offices and see how you can land a great new gig of your own.
Tell us about yourself! Give us your elevator speech!
I was born in San Diego, CA but raised in Rex, GA. I graduated from Morrow High School and began my career at the CDC while going to school full-time at Strayer University. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, I started a family and am now happily married with a 5 year old son, Lenox, and an 18 month old daughter, Alexia. My husband Anthony and I bought our first home in Rex, GA in 2016 and we are now raising our kids in the same town we grew up in!
What’s your title at your new role? What does this actually mean in terms of what you’re doing day to day?
I am a Public Health Financial Analyst with Graham Technologies. I assist in managing various public health contracts with the CDC and various non-governmental agencies that support Global Health Security and Awareness internationally, by providing exemplary acquisitions support to the CDC Centers for Global Health.
What were you doing before you landed your new job?
Prior to landing my new job, I was a Management Program Analyst with emphasis in federal acquisitions. My daily job consisted of analyzing federal contracts and purchase card orders to identify spending trends in my office in order to establish budgets and acquisition deadlines. I also experienced death by excel!
What were you looking for in a job?
I was looking for a job that would allow me to gain experience in a variety of federal procurements mechanisms and one that would provide work-life balance so that I could fulfill professional goals while also being able to care for my family. The Muse helped me to find that and much more!
What attracted you to the company or job when you found it on The Muse?
The job announcement was attractive to me because it was work I was familiar with, however it still provided an opportunity for me to learn even more about federal contracting mechanisms than what I’d learned in my previous position.
What's something most people would find surprising about working at this company?
Working for Graham Tech is the best position I’ve had. It is a family owned and oriented company that shows appreciation for the employees in very creative ways, while upholding high standards in a professional atmosphere.
What's your favorite part so far about working at this company?
My favorite part about working for Graham Tech is the friendly environment and the opportunities to continue education and professional growth.
What’s the coolest project you’ve worked on so far or one you’re really excited about?
I’m most excited about building long lasting relationships with our clients. It has been a pleasure working with the clients and showing them that Graham Tech is a great force to be reckoned with in the federal government. I am eager to show our clients that Graham Tech provides the best solutions specific to our clients’ needs.
Is there anything from The Muse that helped you out in your job hunt? How did you use The Muse to help you in your job search / in prepping for your interview?
Reading the How To articles on The Muse provided information that I used to help set me apart from other job applicants. Many of the articles suggested characteristics that I had already developed, which helped build my confidence when applying and interviewing for the position that I eventually landed.
Is there anything in particular you did during your application process that you think helped you stand out and land the job?
I tailored my resume for each and every position that I applied for, to directly connect my experiences with the job responsibilities. I also read articles on how to answer interview questions and what questions to ask during the interview which warranted really interesting interview conversation.
What advice would you have for someone who wants a job like yours or who is stuck in a difficult job hunt right now?
Google! Research common interview questions and interview do’s and don’t’s. Simple pieces of advice such as smiling when you’re talking can make a world of diffenerce when you're interviewing. Stay diligent and optimistic!
Here at The Muse, we partner with a lot of great companies to bring you insider looks at their offices and awesome job listings. These employers pay us to be featured on the site, but rest assured that we don't just work with anyone. And when it comes to articles like this, these Muse-worthy brands are featured not because they want to be included, but because their culture, policies, and employee feedback showed us that they deserve to be. Here's to finding the company of your dreams!