In this interview, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Jessica Keim, an alum of our January 2022 cohort.
How did you make the transition from School16 student to team member?
I made it my mission to take advantage of the resources that were offered to me as a student. I was making my presence known. It wasn’t just about speaking up in class, because there were moments where I talked a lot and others where I didn’t feel like I had anything to contribute.
Two months after earning my certificate I got an email from Sergei who said there was a team member opportunity and thought I’d be a great fit.
We had a conversation and my involvement snowballed from there.
When you got that email, what was going through your head?
I wasn’t expecting it. I graduated from the program and thought I was reading an automated email asking me to become a student (again). Then I reread it and realized, oh wait. They want me to join the company.
Talk a little bit about your role.
I’m a program manager for the pilot product management program. I act as the liaison between the students and instructor,making sure everything on the back end goes well.
Tracking the gradebook, deliverables, and keeping students prepared each week, I’m like the glue that holds it all together.
What was it like seeing how School16 runs as a student and team member?
I didn’t realize how much effort is put into the weekly class emails, Slack reminders, and how much my program manager did for me.
What advice do you have for alumni who want to stand out and take advantage of opportunities?
Take advantage of all your resources. Make your presence known. If someone doesn’t know you’re there, how are they going to reach out to you?
I network on LinkedIn and make posts. Maybe they only get 10 views but I think it’s important to build my digital footprint. People are going to form opinions based on what you put out there.
I stayed connected with School16 after completing the program by liking posts and making sure they knew that Jessica Keim was an active alum. I connected with mentors who spoke at School16 events and had some really engaging conversations that have helped my professional growth. After all, networking is 75% of getting a job.
