The 2x Women in Tech Podcast with Chelsea Behrens

Jana Keck, Client Success Manager/Strategic Accounts at SAP Concur

Today’s guest on the 2x Women in Tech Podcast offers strong words of advice for the many women who discount a career in tech because they feel unqualified. Jana Keck, Client Success Manager for Strategic Accounts at SAP Concur, is sharing her first-hand journey beyond self-limiting beliefs.

Her role at SAP Concur, a SaaS (software as a service) travel and expense management company, surprises no one more than Jana herself, given that her early career trajectory was focused on medicine. She never gave a thought to anything sales, marketing, or software-related. And - yet - here she is, a valued team member loving her work.

Learn how Jana has navigated her path (staying open has been key) and why self-confidence is something that can be cultivated IF you’re willing to look for opportunities and ask for help. As pro-tech women, Jana and I, are all about opening doors and inspiring women to throw a hat in the ring, even when they feel stuck or intimidated. Take a risk, says Jana. You may be a better fit than you think!

Key Takeaways:

• In her role as a Client Success Manager of strategic accounts, Jara connects small and midsize companies with the array of resources and support SAP Concur has to offer. She’s there to ensure clients:

  • Maximize their investment.

  • Secure the biggest bang for their buck.

  • Have in place all current best practices.

  • Provide foundational resources for a seamless, quick launch.

• As a Client Success Manager, Jana has found her sweet spot. She loves the human interpersonal connections that enhance sales but are not solely transactional.

• Jana shares her career journey, which started in the medical research sector and took a decidedly different turn after she spent two years in Asia on a mission that impacted the way she viewed life – and opened her up in meaningful ways.

• A corporate environment definitely wasn’t part of Jana’s life plan, but once she stumbled into it, she felt surprisingly engaged with and comfortable in the community at the real estate advisory company where she started shortly after moving to Dallas in 2014. 

• Once she found this unexpected new niche, Jana jumped in and got educated on accounting and all things numbers. 

• In 2018, Jana transitioned to the SaaS travel and expense management company SAP Concur and hasn’t looked back. The experience has been challenging, creative, and gratifying on every level.

• Jana had to get beyond insecurity about her inexperience in sales. How did she do it? Through the mentoring and support, she sought – and found – among colleagues. 

• Of note: The tech industry offers a huge variety of interesting roles and opportunities for advancement, all of which are very well compensated. Money isn’t everything, but it can be a nice bonus!

• Many women feel stuck or nervous about pursuing a career in the tech industry because they lack STEM skill sets. Jana’s advice: Don’t limit yourself by passing up job descriptions that don’t seem perfectly matched. 

• Jana’s wish list for the tech industry is a surge of women to add diversity and energy.

• The years Jana spent doing mission work in Asia transformed her understanding of our common humanity and shaped the woman she is today.

• For women in search of a next step or bold new direction: Jana urges “Network, network, network.” Talking to as many people as you can puts you in a position to come across industry opportunities that would otherwise be completely off your radar.

• Networking Tip: Leverage your immediate circle for initial introductions. The worst answer you’re going to get is, “No.” 

• Most importantly: Go for it! Don’t let your resume or a job description keep you from opportunities. You never know who you might meet or what might happen!

Episode Resources

• Jana Keck on LinkedIn

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