Jacob Martinez
- Senior Geospatial Analyst
- City of Austin
School Information
School: UT Austin
College Major: Other
Years at College Works: 2014
Career Information
Working For: City of Austin
Title: Senior Geospatial Analyst
Industry: Environmental
Brief Description of Duties / Responsibilities:
I support the Watershed Protection Department’s stormwater GIS program by developing workflows, sourcing construction plans and work orders, and providing IT support to the team and department. Part of my work also includes documenting data standards and processes and finding opportunities for improvement.
What Has Been Your Proudest Accomplishment Post-CWP?Being recognized for my business savy despite the fact that I’m not a business student.
College Works Career Impact
In one sentence, what has CW meant to you?
College Works Painting showed me that I am capable of success by my own actions.
How did your CW experience impact your career? Immediately after graduation? Now?
I’m going to make a ton of money soon. My idea has gained a lot of support and I’m ready to start building.
What do you want to tell your clients about what it meant to work with them and how it has helped you get to where you are today?
There are two in the summer of 2014. Lyn McDonald and Carla Tabor. They were neighbors and we messed up both their houses. Lyn was first. We sprayed white paint all over her red brick. She was furious. But after a week of scrubbing, repainting, even with a new crew, we got it off. Lyn was a little bit more at ease. After she handed me the final check I sighed in relief and thanked her for getting upset and forcing me to redo it. It was a quick lesson to learn but one that lasted. It made me value customer service and the importance of building relationships with clients, people – even for those brief interactions. We didn’t do a good job on Carla’s house either a few months later. We had disagreements over our contract and whether the siding on her house was warped or whether we hadn’t sprayed it correctly. The Tabors were incredibly patient with us. Lyn and Carla, were my only mishaps that summer. They are the ones I remember. They are the reason I strive to be better. Because on those days when nothing was going right, they continued to work with me. I’m grateful for their trust, unhappy that I let them down.
What was the greatest lesson you learned from your CW experience?
How to build rapport. The selling does itself after that.
Advice
What advice do you have for potential CW participants? Current CW participants?
Just do it. The lessons you learn in College Works Painting carry on after you leave. Many of those lessons you don’t realize until some time after. I’m grateful that I stuck with it.
Many college students struggle to choose between an internship specific to their target industry or doing CW. What advice would you give them on this subject if they wanted to enter your career field?
College Works Painting is a great opportunity to get plugged into a network of engineers, architects, business professionals, and the like. It’s difficult and daunting to venture out on your own to pursue opportunities. College Works Painting builds confidence in you, and teaches you to talk with people. Knowing how to talk to people is a key indicator that you’ll end up being successful. To follow my track (and limit my network) or run a business, gain management skills, and learn to converse… I think the choice is obvious.
What’s your best advice for someone interested in entering your career field?
College Works Painting. It does wonders for entrepreneurial thinking.
What’s your favorite memory from CW?
Talking to my painters and clients. They were all great people.
Last words of wisdom?
Prioritize. Have fun. Absorb everything. Never be comfortable.