Summary: Laura Caraker's journey at Acquia is remarkable. In this podcast, she and I talk through how she joined Acquia Sales, wanted to know more about Drupal and ended up joining the technical side of the house via her stint at Acquia U, Acquia's Drupal and tech boot camp. Her advice for others interested in technology? "Don’t be afraid to get involved." Interview video - 12' 30" Early days: Acquia Sales jam: So why don’t you introduce yourself? Tell us who you are and what you do now. Laura Caraker: Sure. So my name is Laura Caraker. I am currently on the Solutions Architecture Team as an associate solutions architect. I have been here for a little bit over two years now. jam: I remember meeting you in Acquia’s old office a couple of times because your desk was positioned in a place that I would always walk through the office, and you and your deskmate at that time seem to be having far too much fun. Laura Caraker: Yes. Yes, we really did and it was a great place to sit too because I could see everybody coming through. So it was nice. jam: What was your job back then? Laura Caraker: I was a business development representative. I think that was close to when I first started. I remember you were wearing your mustache suit, full mustache suit. jam: Well, I mean, I have to keep up appearances, right? Laura Caraker: Yes, of course. jam: Now, what does a BDR do, a business development representative? Laura Caraker: So a BDR is an entry-level sales position within the company. So, it’s generally for people right out of college or looking to jumpstart their career. If they’re looking into the business side that’s the first-level role they would take. Love at first DrupalCon jam: But Laura, that’s a sales job and now you’re doing a Drupal job! :-) So this actually totally fascinated me. So here’s what I observed that really truly captivated me. I met Laura in this entry-level sales position and then at DrupalCon Portland, I ran into you. Laura Caraker: Austin. jam: Was it Austin? Laura Caraker: Austin. jam: At a DrupalCon I ran into you and I said, “Wow! You’re here!” because that’s – at a large company like we are, I thought it was a little bit unusual that a junior salesperson would be at DrupalCon. I said, “What are you doing here?” And you said, “We won this, you know? We made this number and our prize was to come to DrupalCon,” and I asked you about it. And how was your first DrupalCon? Laura Caraker: I loved it. It was also my first time in Austin, so that contributed to the positive experience too, but it was great having been here for just a few months at that point to go do a community event like that with coworkers you don’t usually talk to and see the community itself as well. jam: What was your tech experience before you came to Acquia? Laura Caraker: Slim to none. I know very basic or I knew very basic coding like HTML. It was more of a hobby. I had a WordPress blog before coming here so – but not far beyond that. jam: Do you have a first Drupal memory? Laura Caraker: Probably DrupalCon itself was the most prevalent Drupal memory itself. With the actual technology, the first time I used Drupal was Drupal Gardens. Teach me all the Drupal! jam: Okay. So what I’ve observed is you came in as a salesperson. You got excited about this thing and you’re now in a technical job. Of course, the piece in between that somehow was Acquia U, but describe working in this organization and what happened along the way, how your – what caught your attention, what got you excited. Laura Caraker: Sure. So I’d say what got me the most excited about working here was the people. So you always want to perform very well because you enjoy the people that you’re working with and you want to work hard for them. But every day in sales I found myself on phone...
