The Caxy Chronicles: Megan’s Journey
My Background
Hi, I'm Megan, a Chicago native from the northwest suburbs. My journey started at Loyola University, where I studied finance. After graduating, I jumped into retail banking, managing various branches. One of my most memorable roles involved working on a smart branch concept that leveraged technology to enhance the traditional banking experience.
Next, I worked in recruiting for accounting and finance positions. While I enjoyed that work, I craved something more transformative and engaging. In my recruitment role, I helped people find jobs, which was rewarding but ultimately lacked the long-term impact I desired. Often, placing someone meant they wouldn't need me again for a while. I yearned for a role where I could see the tangible results of my efforts and build something more sustainable.
This is what excites me most about my current role at Caxy — we take ideas and turn them into reality!
Transition to Caxy
About five years ago, I joined Caxy as an associate project manager (PM). Eager to leverage my client management and team leadership background in a new environment, Caxy offered the perfect fresh start. I quickly thrived, transitioning from an associate to a full-fledged PM. After three successful years in that role, I'm now the director of product.
My current role entails helping our team define the product vision and roadmap the priorities. I work closely with the sales and marketing teams to onboard and manage new and existing clients throughout their lifecycles. I also help the team focus on our current clients and industries with the goal of becoming overnight experts who can provide critical recommendations.
Career Challenges and Highlights
Working at Caxy has presented a unique set of challenges when it comes to getting people comfortable with the unknown nature of technology. Building new products requires a lot of trust and patience, as the final result often looks different from what was initially envisioned. One of the biggest hurdles is managing expectations and keeping our clients excited about the iterative development process.
However, one of the things I love most about my role is the tangible impact of our work. Unlike recruiting, where the results are more long-term and indirect, my current role allows me to see the immediate effects of our projects. We take ideas and turn them into real, usable products that make a difference in people's lives.
Proud Moments at Caxy
I'm incredibly proud of the way our team works together. We tackle projects across diverse industries, and it's amazing to see our team become experts in various fields. Whether it's dealing with complex equations in reporting or switching between different technical projects, our team consistently rises to the challenge.
The collaborative environment at Caxy means we're always learning and sharing knowledge. This constant evolution keeps us on our toes and drives us to produce better, more innovative solutions. It's rewarding to look back at our projects and see how far we've come together.
Advice for Newcomers
My advice for anyone starting their career in this industry is to never hesitate to ask questions. Understanding the 'why' behind our decisions is crucial. My colleague, Hannah, often says that a good question is one that takes you a step further. Embrace your curiosity and use it to deepen your understanding and improve your work.
What Makes Caxy Special
What I love most about working at Caxy is the vast opportunities for learning and growth. My role isn't confined to a strict job description; instead, I'm involved in various aspects of our projects, from gathering business requirements to working closely with developers and testing products.
At Caxy, there's no limit to what you can learn or the parts of the product you can influence. This flexibility and exposure to different facets of our work make every day exciting and challenging. I'm proud to be part of a team that's not only skilled but also passionate about pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve.
Life Outside of Work
While I might not have hundreds of hobbies or be an avid marathoner, I do have a few passions outside of work. I'm a huge foodie - I love both eating and cooking! And I find gardening to be a great way to relax.
I also have a nearly four-year-old golden retriever who loves playing basketball with me. We spend our evenings on the basketball court, where she's an excellent rebounder.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
I think I'd like to be invisible and be able to be a fly on the wall in all sorts of situations. You could get in all sorts of interesting situations and find out what people thought about a new product or how we were doing.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
As a child, I thought I was going to be a nurse. Although, if I could do anything and knew I wouldn't fail, I would love to be a brain surgeon.
What is the most used emoji on your phone?
It's probably the same as many other people, but I use the heart emoji a lot.
