[Image]ine Working in Program Management at Helpshift

Meet Erik, Principal Program Manager for nine months at Helpshift.
- What does your day-to-day at Helpshift look like?
I am the Principal Program Manager lead at Helpshift. I report directly to our CEO, Abinash Tripathy and drive our integrations and analytics strategy at Helpshift. I live in Lehi, Utah, and I am in the SF office every Monday and Tuesday, and then work remotely from my home office for the rest of the week. My job is simple: to make sure that we have a great product to sell and to make sure we are great at making that product. I work with everyone in SF to understand the customer, and then I work with my product team and ENG to deliver solutions to customers.
2. What has been your favorite team offsite, and why?
Karaoke, because that is the only one that I have gone to. I am going to pitch that we have a team offsite in Utah. (Anyone like to ski?)
3. What role(s) did you start in at Helpshift and how have you graduated/migrated into different roles?
I was hired here as the Principal Program manager in October 2016 and after taking on several projects, I started leading a small team of program managers both in India and SF.
4. Describe how Helpshift has helped you in your career development.
Since I came from 20+ years working in large companies, I have never had the chance to work at a small startup like this. I have been able to learn what it means to be part of a startup, and how product impacts the entire company structure.
5. What’s your favorite thing about working for an SF tech startup?
The people, the energy, and the customer connection! I absolutely love being in the office every Monday and Tuesday, feeling the energy in SF and seeing first-hand how Helpshift is making an impact on customers. In a large company, it is easy to become separated from the customer and to set the ‘work treadmill’ on a slow auto-pilot.
6. What advice would you have for prospective Helpshift candidates?
Be flexible, and be ready to work. Our goal is to change the way the world does support. This is not an easy task, but there is huge potential here for someone who can identify potential impact is willing to get it done.
7. What is your proudest moment at Helpshift?
When a customer saw our product and said ‘wow’.
8. How would you describe the company culture and what do you like most about it?
Since I live in another state, it’s like my family in SF. We’re a little strange at times, but I love how we all pull together.
9. Superpower (real or fake):
Cooking! Any foe can be defeated with a great meal.
10. Slightly addicted to:
Corny space battle books. Any book with ships in space, aliens, and tons of things blowing up.
11. Always on the search for the perfect:
Boat. My wife has caught me more than once (after being banned) sneaking onto Craigslist to wander through the used boat sections. Ahh….
12. If you could interview one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Lord Baden Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts. Would love to learn about having such a huge impact.
