
September 18, 2023
First 30 Days at Acro: CJ Young
Ever wonder what it's like to work at Acro? We thought you might, so we asked newcomers to give us the run-down of their first few weeks on the job.
Let's meet CJ Young
- Role: Product Owner in Project Management
- Start Date: July 24, 2023
A little more on CJ
What’s your favourite drink?
- Bubble Tea 🧋
Cats or dogs?
- Dogs, please. (I have a Pomeranian, it has a nickname of “American Sweetheart”)
What’s your favourite dessert?
- Warm Brownie with Gelato 👩🍳
Top three favourite movies:
- Interstellar, Blindside (Sandra Bullock), Finding Nemo
Describe yourself in five words:
- CJ got this, don’t worry!
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
- Trust the Universe
Tell us a fun fact about you!
- CJ is a beautifully written word in Mandarin that stands for Hope and Jade, 希潔. (Inspiration from one of the Rock's movies) I fell in love with the name, and it leaves a strong impression on most of the people I interacted with, and it really matches my personality.
Tell us about your first 30 days at Acro
What if I tell you that I had an incredibly positive experience with my hiring process and workplace, both of which are with the same company? It's true! Joining Acro in 2023 was the best career move I ever made.
Every day, I wake up feeling grateful and excited to contribute my ideas and be heard. The best part is the QOTD (Question of the Day) during our standup meetings.
Define success
As the product owner, it’s my responsibility to ensure the completion of our product goal. To track our progress, I’ve established a work goal that allows me to monitor how far we’ve come and what we’ve accomplished.
I created a simple measurement using the hashtag # to define success as a product owner during my first 30-60-90 days at Acro, helping me meet corporate expectations.
30 Days - #WelcomeCJ — Hello CJ, meet all stakeholders.
60 days - #IknowCJ —All stakeholders should be familiar with CJ's name from her presence in meetings, emails, and Slack channels.
90 days - #ProductOwnerCJ — This is where every stakeholder should recognize CJ as the Acro product owner.
Feedback and Support
Upon joining, I was assigned to work with my Product Manager, Calvin. Besides seeking his guidance and clarifying various questions, we hold weekly meetings to discuss progress and identify any requirements. Calvin ensures that our discussions are both productive and enjoyable. One of my favourite questions he asked was, “How do you like your Bubble Tea?” (To a Taiwanese, how professional, I give it a 10/10.)
My colleagues in project management also help me to make the work process easier by providing the necessary tools, allowing me to shadow in various meetings, and, most importantly, helping me to adapt to the pace that suits me best.
Not too long ago, Kelowna, BC, was hit by a wildfire, and some Acro colleagues had to evacuate. I was impressed by the support provided by Acro staff, both in words and in actions, to those in need. It made me appreciate Acro's caring nature even more, as they are always there to assist and lend a helping hand when it's most necessary.
Best wishes
For those of you who are looking to join a workplace that allows you to be you, show your talent and grow with a fast-paced company throughout your career, I know Acro is the best place.