This article explores the journey of Jonea Gordon, a data-privacy program manager, who achieved success in the tech industry without a traditional tech background. She shares her experiences of transitioning from law to data privacy, and how she quadrupled her salary to over $400,000 in just five years. Through her story, Gordon emphasizes that a non-technical background should not hinder one’s prospects in the tech industry. This article provides valuable insights and advice for individuals looking to grow their salaries and succeed in tech, highlighting the importance of preparation, networking, and self-advocacy.
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How I started my career
Jonea Gordon, a data-privacy program manager at Cruise, began her career as a litigation attorney after graduating from law school in 2009. However, she soon realized that the demanding nature of legal work did not align with her personal values and desired a more balanced life. Despite the potential for success and prestige in law, Gordon wanted both fulfillment and flexibility in her career.
She decided to venture into real estate, utilizing her networking skills to sell houses to lawyers in her network. While she initially found success in this field, Gordon soon felt the same dissatisfaction she had experienced in her legal career. Determined to find her dream career, she made a pivot back to law, but this time as a legal recruiter.
Gordon’s role as a legal recruiter allowed her to expand her network and exposed her to various career paths, including data privacy. She hadn’t encountered this field during law school but found herself increasingly drawn to it, especially considering the growing demand for privacy attorneys among her clients at the time.
How I pivoted to data-privacy
During her maternity leave in 2018, Jonea Gordon focused on networking and conducting informational interviews with professionals in the data-privacy sector. These interactions were crucial in helping her understand the necessary skills and certifications required for a career in this field. Additionally, she asked her undergraduate university if she could audit their data-privacy courses for free, which she then added to her CV.
Gordon secured her first role in the data-privacy field as a consultant, with a starting salary of $90,000. Although this salary was lower than her previous earnings as a legal recruiter, she strategically made this move after discovering the lucrative potential of data privacy in the tech industry.
In 2020, Gordon’s position as a thought leader and her regular posts about data privacy on LinkedIn caught the attention of a recruiter at Meta. She was hired, and her initial total compensation was $190,000. This opportunity further solidified her position in the field and her expertise in data privacy.
Subsequently, Google approached Gordon in 2022 with a significantly higher offer of approximately $360,000 in total compensation, including a sign-on bonus. The interview processes at both Meta and Google were thorough and involved multiple rounds of interviews, requiring extensive preparation. Ultimately, Gordon accepted the role at Google as a privacy-program manager, working cross-functionally with various teams to manage privacy risks in product development.
My layoff experience at Google
Eight months into her job at Google, Jonea Gordon experienced an unexpected layoff. She discovered this news when she was unable to log into her system. Despite the initial shock, Gordon realized that the impact of her layoff was not as profound as it could have been, considering her relatively short tenure at the company.
This experience turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Gordon, as it allowed her a valuable period to recharge, focus on personal growth, and adopt healthier lifestyle habits. She emphasizes the crucial role her network played during this period, as offers of assistance and job opportunities poured in after she shared her layoff on LinkedIn.
Although Gordon received offers from prestigious companies such as Boston Consulting Group, she turned them down because they offered lower salaries than what she had earned at Google. This experience highlighted the safety net her network of connections at top tech companies provided and emphasized the importance of building and leveraging a strong professional network.
My highest offer yet
Shortly after her layoff from Google, Jonea Gordon received an offer from Cruise with a total compensation package of over $400,000. During the negotiation process, Gordon approached the table with confidence and clear expectations. As a result, she was able to secure an additional $10,000 on top of their initial offer, showcasing her understanding of her market value and the importance of self-advocacy in career advancement.
Advice for others
Jonea Gordon’s advice for those new to the tech industry, particularly in the field of data privacy, is to consider starting in consulting. Big Four accounting firms like Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, and Ernst & Young actively seek privacy consultants and offer competitive salaries and training opportunities.
She also encourages individuals to utilize resources such as Levels.fyi and Blind to find accurate and current salary information, build their professional network, and develop their negotiation skills. Drawing from her experience as a recruiter, Gordon emphasizes the importance of confidently stating salary expectations during the job offer process, as assertive negotiation rarely leads to retracted job offers.
Ultimately, Gordon encourages individuals to challenge their assumptions about what may seem unattainable. She urges people to aim higher in terms of salary aspirations, suggesting targets like $300,000 or more per year. With the right strategy and approach, achieving significant income growth within a few years is possible in the tech industry.
In conclusion, Jonea Gordon’s journey from law to data privacy showcases that success in the tech industry is attainable without a traditional tech background. By leveraging networking opportunities, continuous learning, and self-advocacy, individuals can position themselves for career growth and increased earning potential.