Building a Career for Maximum Impact
Natasha Perez
Senior Product Owner
Remote
Pronouns: She / Her / Ella
Finding my niche
From the get-go, I knew I wanted to make a difference in other people’s lives. As a child, this desire showed up in how I would constantly play teacher with my younger brother. As I got older, I realized that if I focused on business management, I could use my analytical and leadership skills to guide other people while impacting business goals.
From a job to a career
In the beginning, Discover was “just a job.” When I started with Discover, I was about 6 months pregnant. I was hoping to get through the pregnancy and initial few years with my son, then find a different job that used more of my college studies. This “job” has now become an enjoyable career.
Becoming a product owner
From starting on the phones in our Spanish customer service department 17 years ago, to becoming a senior product owner today (and everything in-between), my time with Discover has developed me into the person I am today. Not only do I leverage my degree expertise, but I’ve felt at home.
My current role is my absolute favorite. As a senior product owner, I’m empowered to manage a product (and team) that enhances our customer care experience through intuitive design and modern technology. We develop a user interface for our customer care representatives that helps them effectively assist our customers.
My biggest lesson
Over the course of my 17-year career, I’ve learned that it’s okay to fail as long as I learn from my mistakes. As long as I gave it my all, failure is okay. This mentality is necessary in order to innovate and experiment. I’ve also learned to be vulnerable and lead authentically– always and regardless of audience. I believe that feedback is a gift. I’m grateful for the person delivering the message and am willing to be the person to deliver the message.
Continuing education after kids
Ultimately, I’m a learner (I love learning). After my kiddos are out of high school, I want to return to school to pursue my PhD or a second masters— the possibilities are endless. What’s even cooler is that Discover helps cover the cost of some, if not all of the learning. I feel so lucky to be part of a company that invests in their employees.
Interested in joining the Discover team? Explore careers with us.
