Perficient is lucky to call our 6,000+ global colleagues the most hard-working, talented, and driven people in the business. It’s no secret our success is because of the brilliant minds who continually build their knowledge and skills to better serve our clients, proudly enabling digital transformation for the world’s biggest businesses.
With teams spanning technologies and time zones, our expanding global business and inclusive culture promise to create opportunities to collaborate with the top talent in the world, while maintaining personal and collaborative relationships with colleagues you know by name.
Meet Sherry Matlock, associate technical consultant, a Perficient Bright Paths graduate who joined Perficient in 2021!
Perficient Colleague Builds Career Expertise and Leadership Skills through Perficient’s Bright Paths Program
What was your experience prior to Bright Paths?
Prior to Bright Paths, I worked in the automotive industry as an Engineer and Quality Manager.
What made you interested in a career in technology?
I noticed the industry changing, and that future automotive programs were requiring engineers and leaders with tech skills.
What was being in the Bright Paths Program like?
It was both challenging and rewarding. We pushed ourselves and learned so much in a short amount of time.
Perficient and our colleagues are so proud of the time, effort, and commitment demonstrated by Sherry and the other Bright Paths graduates!
READ MORE: Stories About Perficient’s Bright Paths Program
How has the transition from Bright Paths student to Perficient colleague been?
It’s been great. First, a lot of my colleagues in the Bright Paths program also joined Perficient and that allowed us to keep up the camaraderie we gained during those 14 weeks. Second, in the time since I’ve been at Perficient, I’ve met some great people. Everyone here has been very welcoming and supportive.
I am #ProudlyPerficient because Perficient’s Bright Paths Program gave me this awesome opportunity to start a second career in a growing field. And I’m very excited about the future.
What is an example of a day-in-the-life in your role here at Perficient?
I’m in the Foundry Training Program and am currently supporting the Space UI project team as their BA/Project Leader and Scrum Master. A typical day may involve documenting requirements, refining the product backlog, writing user stories, code review, approval of pull requests, or completing Udemy training and other coursework to obtain certifications (Scrum Master, Leading SAFe Agile, etc.).
How does your role support Perficient and our clients?
Space UI is a mobile and desktop application that will allow Perficient colleagues to reserve a workstation, collaboration space, or office at the Detroit location. Given how the Detroit location is continuously growing and adding new colleagues, this application could have a big impact on how we use, manage, and plan for future office space needs in Detroit. I hope my involvement will have an impact on the useability and value of the application.
What are some goals you hope to achieve?
I am currently working on my goals to become certified in scrum and agile. More importantly, I want to find opportunities to continue to grow my tech skills.
LEARN MORE: About the Career Growth Opportunites at Perficient
What is one of your proudest professional moments?
Finishing the Bright Paths program is definitely one of my proudest moments professionally.
What has your experience over the past few months taught you? What advice would you share with future Bright Paths students and new Perficient colleagues?
My experience over the past few months has validated the importance of taking an active role in your own career development. The advice I would share with future Bright Paths students and new Perficient colleagues is that, while Perficient and the Foundry Program, in particular, provides you with the tools and opportunities develop yourself, you must take the lead by finding out what career goals you want to achieve and then take the initiative to reach out and network with others who can be a resource to help you achieve them.
About Perficient’s Bright Paths Program
Bright Paths is a program designed to advance STEM education and career opportunities for underrepresented constituencies and communities. At Perficient, we believe in developing a workforce that is as diverse and inclusive as the clients we work with. Together, we’re constantly pursuing progress, and we’re committed to actively listening, learning, and acting, to further advance our organization, our communities, and our future leaders, always driving towards a diverse environment of inclusion and belonging … and we’re not done yet.
It’s no secret our success is because of our people. No matter the technology or time zone, our colleagues are committed to delivering innovative, end-to-end digital solutions for the world’s biggest brands, and we bring a collaborative spirit to every interaction. We’re always seeking the best and brightest to work with us. Join our team and experience a culture that challenges, champions, and celebrates our people.
Learn more about what it’s like to work at Perficient at our Careers page.
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