How I Quadrupled My Salary to $400,000 After Leaving Law

Introduction

Jonea Gordon, a data-privacy program manager at Cruise, has managed to quadruple her salary to over $400,000 a year after transitioning from a career in law. With her success, she wants to emphasize that a traditional tech background is not necessary to succeed in the industry. In this article, she shares her journey and provides advice for others looking to grow their salaries in the tech industry.

Starting my Career

Jonea Gordon 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 didn't align with her personal values and desired a more balanced life. Despite the potential success in law, she wanted both fulfillment and flexibility. This led her to venture into real estate and later become a legal recruiter. It was during this time that she discovered the field of data privacy and became increasingly drawn to it.

Pivoting to Data Privacy

During her maternity leave in 2018, Jonea focused on networking and conducting informational interviews with professionals in the data-privacy sector. These interactions were crucial in understanding the necessary skills and certifications for a career in this field. To further enhance her knowledge, she audited data-privacy courses for free at her undergraduate university. With her newfound expertise, she secured a consulting position in data privacy, starting with a salary of $90,000. This move was strategic as she discovered the lucrative potential of data privacy in the tech industry.

Opportunities at Meta and Google

Jonea's position as a thought leader in data privacy, with expertise in the field and a strong online presence, caught the attention of recruiters. In 2020, she was approached by Meta and offered a position with an initial total compensation of $190,000. Later in 2022, Google approached her with a significantly higher offer of about $360,000 in total compensation, including a sign-on bonus. Her legal background proved to be invaluable in understanding and applying complex regulations, which was a skill shared by many other privacy-program managers she encountered.

My Layoff Experience at Google

After eight months at Google, Jonea unexpectedly found herself laid off. Despite the initial shock, she realized that the impact was not as profound as it could have been, considering her short tenure there. This experience allowed her to recharge, focus on personal growth, and adopt healthier lifestyle habits. Her network played a crucial role during this period, with offers of assistance and job opportunities pouring in after she shared her layoff on LinkedIn.

Securing the Highest Offer Yet

Just a few months after her layoff, Jonea received an offer from Cruise with a total compensation of over $400,000. When it came to the negotiation table, she approached it with confidence and clear expectations. By understanding her market value and advocating for herself, she successfully secured an additional $10,000 on top of the initial offer.

Advice for Others

Jonea's advice for those new to the tech industry, particularly in data privacy, is to start in consulting. Big Four accounting firms actively seek privacy consultants and offer good salaries and training. She also recommends utilizing resources such as Levels.fyi and Blind to find accurate and current salary information. Additionally, building a strong network and negotiation skills is crucial. Jonea emphasizes the importance of confidently stating salary expectations during the job-offer process, as companies typically expect and respect this.

Conclusion

Jonea Gordon's journey from law to data privacy showcases that a traditional tech background is not a requirement for success in the industry. By leveraging her skills, networking, and advocating for herself, she managed to quadruple her salary to over $400,000 a year. Her story serves as an inspiration for others looking to grow their salaries in the tech industry.

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By: insider@insider.com (Ellen Nguyen)
Title: How I Quadrupled My Salary to $400,000 After Leaving Law
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/how-grew-salary-after-pivoting-tech-data-privacy-2023-12
Published Date: Mon, 04 Dec 2023 10:10:01 +0000