86. From Misconceptions to Career Opportunities in Enterprise Software

86. From Misconceptions to Career Opportunities in Enterprise Software

Episode 86
1:28:25

Sally Carson and I discuss the unique aspects of working in enterprise orgs. She shares her strategies for navigating corporate dynamics, building a successful career, and leveraging internal opportunities.

What does it take to survive and thrive in a complex environment like a large enterprise org?

Enterprise roles often get a bad rap. This week, Sally Carson and I are out to change that. Sally joins me to discuss the nuances of building a career in large enterprise organizations.

Sally encourages us to zoom out and take a meta-view of our careers, especially if we’ve been in one industry for a long period of time. If you’ve been working on smaller teams or in the startup world, enterprise experience might make you a more well-rounded designer.

Sally offers up some insights on who might benefit most from a career in enterprise, and why having a strategic, big-picture approach might set you up for success.

Whether you’re considering a move to an enterprise role or looking to advance within your current organization, Sally provides an actionable, easy-to-follow guide to surviving and thriving in the corporate world.

Topics:
• 11:10 – Enterprise vs B2B
• 16:16 – Who might benefit from a career in enterprise?
• 16:51 – Zoom out and take a meta-view of your career
• 25:48 – Keep looking out for internal opportunities and rotations
• 28:11 – The politics of a big org
• 32:14 – Every job has pros and cons
• 34:31 – How to deal with corporate fiefdoms
• 36:08 – Working with a larger team means more future opportunities
• 40:45 – Internal roles allow you to stay with the company without quitting
• 41:01 – Advice for people looking to get into enterprise
• 46:39 – Questions to ask before taking a role
• 51:11 – Portfolio Considerations

Helpful Links:
Connect with Sally on LinkedIn
sallycarson.com


Sally Carson
Design Leader & Career Coach

About Sally

For product designers seeking an edge, Sally Carson offers a wealth of experience from the frontlines. With a 25 year career — spanning companies like LinkedIn, Cisco, and Yahoo, to her own VC-backed startup — she has led design teams through every size and stage. Now, Sally is paying it forward, coaching designers with the invaluable wisdom that she wishes she had early in her career. Sally wants to help you find the “happy path” for your career.


Let your passions lead your learning journey

Get $200 off Mento Design Academy’s course that’s as unique as you are!

It’s not just about learning UX design; it’s about discovering your unique path in it. Their approach is different – it’s personal, it’s tailored to you. They don’t just teach; they inspire students to use their passions as a driving force in their learning. And that is something I’ve experienced firsthand as a mentor.

I’ve been fortunate enough to guide students who are exploring concepts they’re truly passionate about. It’s not just about following a curriculum; it’s about shaping that curriculum around what excites each student. This approach emphasizes not just knowledge, but a deep love for the discipline. Seeing my mentees grow, apply their passions, and craft portfolios that are genuinely ‘them’ has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

So, if you’re looking for a UX course that’s as unique as you are, check out Mento Design Academy. head on over to beyonduxdesign.com/mento and Just for my listeners, use the promo code BEYONDUX200 to get $200 off the course.

Join Mento and let your passions lead your learning journey.




Thanks for listening! We hope you dug today’s episode. If you liked what you heard, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you really enjoyed today’s episode, why don’t you leave a five-star review? Or tell some friends! It will help us out a ton.

If you haven’t already, sign up for our email list. We won’t spam you. Pinky swear.

Get a FREE audiobook AND support the show
Support the show on Patreon
Check out show transcripts
• Check out our website
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Subscribe on Stitcher

Support my caffeine addiction

Meet your host

Jeremy Miller

Designer // Host // Mentor

I’m Jeremy. I’m a product designer from New Orleans. Here are some things I want you to know about me:

But most importantly, I know you can’t build great software without great relationships.

So join me here and learn about how to build truly great software.

Meet your host:

No posts were found for provided query parameters.

Type at least 1 character to search