Current job title: Program Analyst – SSA
Tell us what brought you to Pearl and what skills did you picked up in each of your previous roles that helped get you to your current role? I came to Pearl from Maximus with 18 years of experience in the Ticket-to-Work Program, which is ran by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The program assisted individuals with disabilities to go back to work, achieve their goals, and progress forward in their lives to be financially independent. My previous role as a Quality Assurance Analyst for SSA afforded me an opportunity to continue employment under a new great program with Pearl Interactive Network, Inc. I have been with Pearl since November 2021, but I have learned a lot from my peers and have had the opportunity to develop, gain skills and knowledge. I have effective communications skills, am enthusiastic about my work, motivated in my career, and I take responsibility and delegation of my tasks effectively.
What are your career goals? My career goal is to master my deep knowledge of the Vocational Rehabilitation Payment process and excel in performing in my job. As far as quality and productivity, I want to be part of the department management team and utilize my experience with the Ticket to Work Program to do tremendous work.
What has been the biggest lesson you have learned or the biggest obstacle you have overcome in your job? The biggest lesson or obstacle I have overcome was mastering time management skills. During my previous job, I was handling multiple tasks with various deadlines. To meet my deadlines, I had to figure out the time being spent on each task and prioritize my work. I recognized that I needed to improve in this area and overcame it by being organized and vigilant.
What is your advice for someone that may be interested in pursuing a role in your current field? I would like to emphasize on focusing on your work. It is very important to set your priorities, so you know what to concentrate on. I would also like to encourage new individuals to ask questions in order to clarify the concepts and processes, and to not hesitate from seeking help to understand their job in order to succeed.
What is a Fun Fact that many of your coworkers may not know? My co-workers must have experienced this already, but I am very social, and I use this trait as a great tool to interact with my peers. I have a wonderful social circle of friends whom I often meet to have a jolly time.
Do you have a special talent or any hobbies? My favorite hobbies are traveling and reading. I have visited many countries and learned a lot about diverse cultures, which has helped me grow as a better human. For me, I consider reading as a great asset for self-development. Through these hobbies, I get to explore and enjoy the world.