Hi Jessica, care to share a little bit about yourself?

I like to read non fiction psych books, listen to relationship podcasts, watch stand up comedy, ice skate, hip hop dance, go to EDM festivals, find new hiking trails, and travel the world.

Can you tell us what you do as a Programmatic Yield Manager for those who are unfamiliar?

Yield management involves optimizing pricing and targeting strategies to maximize revenue for tech advertising properties.
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How did you decide to pursue your specific career?‍

Being a social extrovert, I majored in Business in college and felt a natural pull to the marketing field right after. I landed my first job at a digital agency, which opened my eyes to all the types of media out there. Next, I worked in Paid Search at Microsoft for Bing. Later, I worked in Programmatic Sales at IBM for Watson Advertising. And now currently, I work at Dictionary.com that embodies all my favorite parts of my past roles all into one now. All of these job opportunities were actually presented to me through headhunters, but I am very grateful I decided to explore and move into each of the roles.
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What made you interested in your field? What do you like about it?

I decided Programmatic yield management was the popular growing vertical to be in for Ad Tech living in the SF Bay Area. Every agency, vendor, advertiser, or publisher has incorporated it into their budgets. I went from being in Tech to transitioning into eLearning Tech. It felt natural since the eLearning and Tutor Marketplace spaces blew up during COVID. Dictionary.com has been coming out with new material and product launches to help with this struggling area for students, teachers, and language lovers.
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Any advice on how to stand out and get hired for those starting off?

Get your resume looked over by your college career center advisors or a professional editor. Also, seek connection referrals that you know at companies already. Lastly, don't give up - applying for jobs can be a numbers and timing game.
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What are 3 character traits that would make someone excel in your field?

1) Efficient
2) Flexible
3) Data focused
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What fuels you to continue to do what you do?

There is nowhere like the Bay Area where the things to do, nature sights, all year good weather, hot tech businesses, high salaries, diverse transplants of people from all around the country all exist. You really get sucked into the scene.
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Most difficult thing about your job?

Not knowing all the answers if something hasn't been done before. This requires risk and testing hoping for profitable outcomes.
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What would you like to say to your younger self?

You're doing great. Don't sweat the small stuff and ask yourself if this will still matter in 5 years. Everything will work out well if you have the right attitude. Stay your happy go lucky self and you'll go far in life.
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Best advice you've received/heard?

Stop focusing so much about how you feel about situation and stop focusing so much on how that situation feels about you. Instead, focus more on how you feel about yourself when you're in that situation. Live for yourself, be selfish, and focus on what makes you happy. You're not competing with anyone else.
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Any last thoughts, advice, or recommendations for someone who wants to learn more about your craft?

Any craft you want to learn these days can be found on the Coursera's and YouTube's of today.