PayPal’s very own MJ Austin is a
2016 Women of Influence, having won the coveted Silicon Valley Business Journal award this week. MJ fearlessly leads a team that ensures PayPal’s site is available, high-performing and scaling to provide amazing experiences to customers all over the world.
MJ is a force with dynamic experience and skills that span across multiple domain roles, which has led to five promotions in less than 10 years across eBay and PayPal.
Even more than her technical chops, MJ is known for her inspiring career development and focus on mentorship. She is an ambassador for
PayPal Recharge, a 20-week paid program for individuals who want to return to technology roles after a period away from the workforce. The current class is in session and participants will be considered for employment at PayPal at the conclusion of the program.
Currently, MJ is intensely focused on the site of the future. She is at the helm of PayPal’s continuous commitment to building a next-gen technology platform that delivers innovative products and services to its global customers. MJ’s role at PayPal is part technical ninja and part United Nations ambassador, because her work across the technology organization requires teams to be aligned on the new architecture.
We sat down with MJ to learn about her career growth, lessons learned and professional development tips.
Q: You have a very diverse career – roles in security, engineering, an MBA, Six Sigma Black Belt training. How has this shaped your experience?
A: When people learn about my career background, they’re often surprised by the diverse set of roles and responsibilities that have led me to my current role. Questions come up like, “YOU were a human resources business partner!?” or “Why would you need an information systems security professional certification?” I’ve held various positions including leading Information Security, improving engineering productivity, and setting up an international Network Operations Center. I was responsible for PCI/SOX compliance for an entire organization, having to learn a significant amount about Information Security while on the job. My combination of career experiences wasn’t by the book, but it’s allowed me to think differently, creating an invaluable mix of perspectives.
I leverage all this previous experience in the work I do today. Having a background in communications and human resources helps me manage my teams better. My experience in security and operations allows me to connect with similar teams at PayPal and speak in the same technical terms so that we can quickly agree on what matters most to get the job done.
Every role I’ve had has built upon the previous experience. Much of my current work is centered around a culture change to focus on our customers and bringing together teams that normally don’t collaborate. I’m an advocate of embracing your past experiences to drive professional development.
You are a big champion of building your own career. What advice do you have for individuals coming back after time off or switching to work in a different industry?
I have three pieces of advice. One, always be willing to learn. People who do their best are constant learners. Come in with an open mind and the added benefit will be huge.
Second, don’t feel like you’re brand new. Even if this is your first role in a particular industry you may have important outside-in perspectives. Maybe you observed the company as a customer. Or you have insights from serving in government that will add a much-needed fresh perspective.
Finally, be open to sharing your experiences. A more diverse workforce is a better and more balanced workforce. As much as you have the opportunity to learn in your new role, your new company and teammates can learn from you as well.
What does your current role leading Availability, Performance & Scalability entail? Why is it important to PayPal?
At PayPal, serving our customers is the top priority. Therefore, we need to make sure our site is secure and available for them around the clock. In Q4 2015, PayPal processed $10,200 payments per second in over 100 currencies across 203 markets. We make sure people can securely and conveniently manage their money. If they need to send money to their mother in Bangladesh on a Sunday, we’re there for them. My team’s main goal is to set PayPal’s site up for success in the future. As the rate of digital payments increase, PayPal’s technologies can scale and continue to constantly serve our customers whenever and wherever they are.
It’s inspiring to know the work my team does will help PayPal grow and power greater customer interactions in the future.
If you could tell your 18-year-old self one thing, what would it be?
When my twins were in kindergarten, they had a class project to come up with the “ultimate rules.” Some of their classmates came back with “Don’t talk to stranger”’ or “Brush your teeth.” Without my influence, my kids selected “Have fun!” They were wise beyond their years.
I’ve had some tough challenges in work and in life, but it’s important to remember to keep moving forward. Find things that inspire you to work hard but also enjoy every day. And most importantly, have fun while you’re doing it.