Commissions Analyst for BlackLine
By Lauren Keller, English Intern
Although Karen Paredes transferred to California State University Channel Islands expecting to become a nurse, she left with a completely different degree after realizing her passion for another subject. Karen was born in Valencia, California and started her journey at Channel Islands in 2011. While working in the nursing program, Karen took a few English classes for fun, and after a year, she decided to switch her major and pursue an English degree. Although she had always loved reading, it was not until she took English courses at Channel Islands that she discovered how much she enjoyed studying the subject. Out of all the English courses she took, she says that ENGL 360: Literary Theory was her favorite. “It challenged me to think critically from several different perspectives and I feel that's one of the most important skills to have.”
In 2014, Karen graduated from Channel Islands with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Since graduating, Karen has worked in a variety of different industries, as well as in a multitude of different job positions. She started out in the cosmetics industry, working as both a product development intern and a project manager. She then moved on to the health insurance industry where she worked as a commissions specialist and a business analyst. Finally, Karen moved on to the financial software industry as a commissions analyst. She currently works at BlackLine, a California-based company that develops financial software and has worked with several high-profile brands, such as Hyatt Hotels Corporation and the Coca-Cola Company.
As a commissions analyst, Karen is responsible for calculating how much salespeople are to be paid for commissions and bonuses. On top of this, she also trains new hires on her team, writes process documents/training manuals, and answers inquiries from salespeople regarding their commissions and bonus payments. Karen says that her favorite part of her job is getting to write the process documents. Process documents are like guides for new employees that explain the processes of an organization and how to complete specific tasks and job responsibilities. Karen says that it is “satisfying to be able to take complex processes and break them down in a way that even a new hire with no prior experience can understand.”
Karen believes that studying English at Channel Islands was not only helpful for her current career, but for all her jobs. She says that studying English encourages people to develop their critical thinking, a skill that is important in any industry and any job position. In the positions she has had, Karen has been responsible for training several people. She says that one of the most common complaints she has heard from other trainers about new hires is that they do not think enough. They say, “I need them to think. I don’t know how to teach someone how to think.” Fortunately for Karen, that is exactly what a degree in English prepared her for. Aside from thinking critically, she says that being an English major has also taught her to communicate clearly, which is an important skill to have when training new employees or writing process documents.
Karen argues that just because there are career paths that are more common than others, it does not mean that English majors cannot work in many different fields. For example, she did not plan to become a commissions analyst when she was in school. However, after working on a commissions team, she discovered she was good at the job and has created a successful career for herself in the position. “It can be easy to think that an English degree can only lead to a job in teaching, writing, or publishing, but the ability to think critically and clearly communicate ideas is something that's valued in businesses everywhere.”
Karen also advises current and potential English students not to be discouraged if a job listing does not call for an English degree. “Don't be discouraged by job postings that say things like ‘degree in Business/Finance/Accounting, etc. required.’ Every job I've applied for listed these requirements, and it didn't prevent the companies from hiring me or inhibit me from excelling in those roles.” Although not all employers may be explicitly looking for an English major, many are interested in the skills that can be acquired from studying English, such as proficiency in writing and communication. Karen maintains that if English majors work hard and keep an open mind, there is an endless amount of job opportunities in all kinds of industries for English majors to succeed in.
Email: kparedes92@gmail.com