Stephanie Yuen

I spend most of the day speaking with customers and prospects to discover their data challenges and provide a solution with our data catalog. By helping customers solve their challenges through our product demonstration, workshops, and proof of value, they would purchase Alation.

What attracted you to work at Alation? How did you know it would be a good fit?

Before joining Alation, I was a data engineer consultant and spent many months just exploring datasets, running my own data profiles, and speaking with developers or owners hoping they were still around to provide insight. Alation’s data catalog would have significantly cut down the discovery time, upward to 75% even, which would’ve allowed me to start my projects earlier. This would’ve been the competitive edge.

It also doesn’t hurt to have smart and passionate people working at the company, which was apparent during the interview process. I knew I wanted to join Alation to solve an organizational problem.

Tell us about when you’ve felt most proud of your work or colleagues.

Being in sales, winning over new customers is extremely exciting. We’re also a bit competitive, so winning against outside competitors because we’re able to address the problem better or in a more scalable way brings me joy.

What do you value most about your company’s or team’s culture? What sets it apart from other places you’ve worked?

We care and want our customers to succeed. My team shares their knowledge internally to help build the best data catalog. We share our experience with the customer when we were practitioners and align with the customer’s strategy to best serve their organization.

What unique point of view do you bring to the company and to your role? How does your personal perspective make your company stronger?

I believe all non-technical users should be able to leverage and accurately use data for business decisions. I provide feedback around the product and explain to the engineers why it’s important, which also translates to demonstrating that to customers and sharing our perspective.

What advice do you have for someone in your field applying to jobs at your company?

Find what you’re passionate about so it doesn’t feel like work. If you’re cool with working in teams, solving business and technical problems, constantly learning new technologies and methodologies, and are passionate about using data, come over to our team!

Michelle Lam

Sr. Manager, Sales Engineering, New York

Michelle has 15 years of experience in analytics, initially as an analyst herself and then working with other analysts to improve reporting and analytics processes across financial crime, internal audit, and regulatory compliance.