MIT is a magnet for engineering types, so it is no surprise to find Johana Amatucci Reyes—an industrial engineer by training—operating payroll processes and monitoring data feeds on VPF’s HR/Payroll team. “I like process improvement and I’m interested in business administration. I want to grow my skills in that area, and I think this position is helping me to do that,” Johana says.
That mindset has been Johana’s approach throughout her career. After finishing her engineering degree in Venezuela and moving to the United States, she continues to push herself outside of her comfort zone when she knows it will lead to growth. “I’m a pretty shy person,” Johana says, “but when my husband and I opened a frozen yogurt store, I quickly had to learn to manage people and to be more outgoing to network as a small business.” After a few years, she took on her next challenge as a sales representative for a car dealership. “English is my second language so I wanted to immerse myself in a role that would help me practice while continuing to challenge myself to be more extroverted. It’s not possible to work in sales and not be outgoing—you have to learn how to approach people and you have to learn how to negotiate.”
When a temporary position opened in VPF HR/Payroll to help with the busy tax season, Johana saw her next opportunity. “I was looking for a permanent position, but I wanted to get my foot in the door, so I took it,” she says. A bit intimidated by finance, she knew the only way to build her skills was to try. “I have an engineering mindset, so I ask a ton of questions! I’m always asking someone about things I want to know, and everyone has been very willing to answer.” Putting her people skills to good use, Johana says she “would walk around and talk to people that do interesting things and ask them about their job.” That networking led her to landing a permanent position in Accounts Payable as a vendor maintenance specialist, and a little over a year later, to a promotion onto the HR/Payroll team.
While reflecting on her journey, Johana says to “always start with a goal in mind. It will evolve over time as you learn more about yourself and about what you like. Just don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know yet because you can learn and there will be people willing to help you get there if you show an interest.”