Liftoff Employee Spotlight: Maya Shanmugam, Business Intelligence Analyst
Maya first joined Liftoff as a summer intern and graduated from Oberlin College, later returning as a full-time Liftoff employee. Since joining Liftoff, Maya became part of our DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) committee and Culturenaut program. When Maya isn’t working on an analysis, she challenges us with her daily trivia and riddle knowledge or enjoys some Mitchell’s pumpkin ice cream.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you ended up at Liftoff?
I was born and raised in San Francisco and a recent spring graduate from Oberlin College where I studied Computer Science, Art History, and French (a labor of love!). During my junior year, I was in the midst of a grueling season of internship applications and interviews before I stumbled upon an opening at Liftoff. I didn’t know much about Business Intelligence before applying, but I knew the role would help me grow and harness an analytical skill set. A highlight of my internship was working on high impact projects like our Competitive Analysis dashboard—just weeks after learning SQL and Tableau. At the end of the internship, I received a return offer. I came back to an incredibly smart team that pushed me to grow and support my professional goals.
How has Liftoff helped you in your career development?
After working for over four months now, I have grown more than I envisioned. In September, I became my team’s Culturenaut, and I recently joined Liftoff’s very first DEI committee! None of this would have been possible without the knowledge and support of my experienced colleagues at Liftoff. I am thankful that I can grow as an analyst and contribute to Liftoff’s culture broadly.
What’s the coolest thing about your job?
I get to work on a broad range of projects that cover many aspects of Liftoff’s business. This allows me to engage with other teams and explore various data sets, each with its unique problems and constraints. I have always been a curious person, and this keeps me on my toes.
What do you like most about the Liftoff culture?
One thing that’s become incredibly clear to me during work from home is how willing Liftoffers are to chat and help—even if they’re someone you’ve never talked to before! This openness and friendliness routinely brightens my time here, especially during remote on-boarding.
Can you share what habits help you be the best version of yourself?
While finishing senior year remotely, I struggled with motivation and going through my day with intention. I found that having a morning ritual grounds me during the most stressful days. Mine involves consuming a potentially absurd amount of water, a meticulously made cup of coffee, and listening to The Daily podcast.
To balance my interests, I prioritize having at least an hour a day focused on something important to me, whether it is attending a virtual art seminar, going on a hike with a friend, or baking treats.
What’s your favorite quote?
“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”
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