Brandi Olden

In layperson terms, what do you actually do at work?

I break software in testing. I break it so that it can be fixed BEFORE people start using it.

How did you pick your career? Did you know all along?

I was a part of a team that won second place in a national computer competition in high school. That's when I figured out I wanted to work with computers. I came upon my current job after trying several different facets of programming. I felt testing was the best fit for me.

How did you start building your network?

Business cards. Any person I met, even in passing, I took their business card. I wrote where I met them on the back. People who I knew well, I kept in touch. Even if it was an email or Facebook post every now and then.

What is the one piece of career advice you wish someone gave you when you were younger?

Be disciplined. Work hard, even if you play hard.

What is it like when your job gets tough?

Very busy. There are very stringent deadlines and a lot of work has to be done at a quick pace. There are some nights where work has to be done at home to get it all done in time.

What is the biggest challenge you had to overcome to get to where you are now professionally? How did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge I had was my attitude! I had to change my mindset in the work world from "What can you do for me?" to "What can I do for you?" Since employment for most people (and for me) is a means to an end, we forget that we need to be useful in order to feel fulfilled and to be successful in our careers.

When did you get your first Big Break? How did you get it? How did it go?

I got my big break in high school, actually. One of my teachers presented us with an opportunity during our Senior year to join an organization which would find and prepare you for internships. I signed up and ended up interning at my company for 4 summers. Then, when I graduated, I was hired to work full time.

What is the most useful piece of career advice you got as a student, and who gave it to you?

My first summer working, I was charged with coordinating computer installs with various business groups. There was one VP who did nothing but yell at me for three weeks. Everything seemed to go wrong with the installs and since I was the face of the installs, I got yelled at for a lot of things that weren't my fault. I was a bit of a hothead, but I didn't get mad. I just smiled through it and kept my patience. I was pretty sure that he hated me and we were both happy when the installs were done. I went on to do other installs and work. I would see the VP from time to time and he scowled or frowned. I always smiled and nodded. Well at the end of the summer, my boss called me in his office. He'd received a letter from the VP. It was a glowing review on me, the internship program and how if there were more interns like me, he was all for the program going on. He commended my patience and my work ethic. I learned that day that even if you are not aware of it, people notice your attitude and how you handle problems. So handle things with grace and positivity and it gets recognized.

When you were a student, did you do anything outside of school to build skills or get knowledge that has helped your career?

I always joined organizations in school that helped develop my leadership skills. I was President of one, Treasurer of one, etc. I also interned every summer and worked on campus during the school year in odd jobs. It helped develop work experience and work ethic. I was a supervisor in one of my job, which gave me supervisory experience!

Did anyone ever oppose your career plans when you were young or push you in a direction you did not want to go?

I wanted to be a teacher at one point in my life. I was told that teaching is "beneath me" and I needed to "do better for myself." I got the last laugh in the end as I have managed to incorporate some form of teaching in every job I've ever had!