Perficient’s innovative edge is fueled by talented colleagues who shatter boundaries and go beyond the expected. Our strength lies in the people who bring passion, expertise, and a deep knowledge and understanding to every project. Jeff Molsen, a senior technical architect, embodies this spirit. From the specialized aspects of his role to leading others through mentorship, Jeff’s journey shows how knowledge and empathy intertwine to drive success.
Keep reading to see how Jeff’s approach to leadership and community-building makes a difference at Perficient.
When did you join Perficient, and what are your responsibilities in your current role?
I joined Perficient in March 2021, and I am a senior technical architect in the Adobe Business Unit. I mostly work with Adobe Experience Manager (AEM). I’m also a career counselor and wear many hats, so my day-to-day can vary quite a bit.
As a senior technical architect, I’m responsible for the technical delivery of a project. I lead the dev team and direct them on the approach for developing solutions. I also work closely with the project leaders, such as a project manager and business analyst, to make sure we understand the client’s needs. I don’t do as much development work anymore, but I work on proofs of concept that are often related to new technologies.
Are you a member of any culture groups at Perficient?
I joined the Women in Technology (WiT) Employee Resource Group (ERG) within my first month of joining Perficient. I’m part of the career growth committee, and I helped with the mentorship program early on in its development. I used my experience as an architect to lead developers in creating the matching program. My role was to guide them as well as write copy to make the content clear and concise.
In the WiT Mentorship Program, both the mentor and mentee can learn from each other. You get to know people from across the organization, gain a different perspective, and expand your network.
Can you tell us more about your experience participating in Perficient’s Leading With Impact Program? What were some of your takeaways?
It was a very valuable experience, and they broke the program down into lots of manageable sections. We started out with learning how to lead yourself because you need to know how to manage yourself before you can effectively lead others. There was also education around communication and cross-cultural competence. Since Perficient is a global company with colleagues around the world, it’s important to know how to work with people of different backgrounds and communication styles.
We also talked about how to have difficult conversations and approach others with a growth mindset. This comes down to approaching the situation with empathy and exploring ways to grow together to make positive changes.
Throughout the program, we met in smaller cohorts consisting of about five or six colleagues. We did learning activities and discussed topics in these small groups. It was really helpful to hear different opinions and learn from each other’s experiences to deepen our understanding together.
What advice would you give to colleagues who are starting their careers with Perficient?
My advice is to get involved with groups at Perficient, whether that’s an ERG or another kind of group. It can be particularly helpful if it’s something outside of your everyday role. This gives you an opportunity to interact with people across the organization and from different cultures. An important part of building your career is building your personal brand. Getting involved and working with all kinds of people helps you develop that.
READ MORE: Perficient’s Award-Winning Culture Fosters Meaningful Connections
Whether big or small, how do you make a difference for our clients, colleagues, communities, or teams?
I try to bring empathy and collaboration in everything I do. I do this for our clients by listening to understand what their needs are and then guiding them toward what will be the best long-term solution. As a career counselor, I make a difference through mentoring. I have always been passionate about teaching and advocating for others.
What are your proudest accomplishments in your work?
I keep a log of my accomplishments, and this is something I recommend to everyone because it helps you keep track of your progress. My proudest accomplishments are a lot of little things, but most recently, I’m proud of an event I helped coordinate with WiT. I helped organize and host an allyship event with a guest speaker who spoke about how to be an ally. It was titled, “The Inclusive Ally and Leader: Identifying Your Role in Advancing Equity.”
The WiT ERG sponsored it and invited the Cultural Connections and PRISM ERGs to participate in this event as well. It took a couple of months to plan, and I’m very proud of how it turned out.
READ MORE: 7 Ways to Be a Better LGBTQ+ Ally at Work
Why did you choose Perficient, and what keeps you here?
I think that oftentimes your job satisfaction depends mostly on the people you work with and the person you report to. I have a lot of respect for my manager, Jeffrey Brown, and he’s the reason why I joined Perficient. He drives me to be a better career counselor and manager because he’s shown me the difference it makes.
I feel that in every project I’ve been a part of at Perficient, I have worked with so many intelligent and passionate people. That keeps me happy and motivated.
READ MORE: People of Perficient
What are you passionate about outside of work?
Life is too short, so I’m passionate about all kinds of stuff. My goal in life is to grow in both knowledge and empathy. I’m passionate about learning and education, and I will often watch educational videos, read, or take online classes.
I also do volunteer work, which intersects with a lot of my passions—learning about others’ experiences, growing empathy, as well as building community. Another thing I do just for fun is play board games. I like board games because they flex your mind and also build community.
SEE MORE PEOPLE OF PERFICIENT
It’s no secret our success is because of our people. No matter the technology or time zone, our colleagues are committed to delivering innovative, end-to-end digital solutions for the world’s biggest brands, and we bring a collaborative spirit to every interaction. We’re always seeking the best and brightest to work with us. Join our team and experience a culture that challenges, champions, and celebrates our people.
Visit our Careers page to see career opportunities and more!
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