Seizing Opportunity is the Key To Winning: A Day in the Life of Andy Healey

Now is a great time to be a sports fan. Baseball season, UEFA Euro, Copa America, and the NBA Finals are in full swing, Wimbledon begins at the end of this month, and we still have the Olympics to look forward to come August. Sports analogies are frequently used to motivate and explain happenings in business, as there are many shared qualities, capabilities, and strategies used to achieve success. This is especially true in fast-paced, competitive Silicon Valley. Here at Okta, we believe capitalizing on opportunities and yielding positive outcomes is a team sport.

So we recently sat down with Emerging Markets Account Executive, -- and former athlete and coach -- Andy Healey, to learn more about what it’s like to play for Okta’s team.

What do you do as an Okta Sales Development Representative?

I recently transferred to the emerging markets account executive team after working on the SDR team for about a year and a half. As an SDR, I supported three sales reps, identifying target accounts in each of their territories, researching the companies, and creating opportunities for the sales reps to speak with companies’ IT leaders.

Walk us through your typical day at the Okta office.

I start the day with a balanced breakfast from the kitchen, which is usually followed by morning meetings. As an SDR, my time was divided between the three territories I supported, focusing on target accounts and gaining intel and generating leads.

What's it like to work at Okta? Is there something specific you enjoy?

Working at Okta means you’re surrounded by hard-working, creative, intelligent people across all parts of the business, and every day you have the chance to learn something entirely new. It’s a fast-paced company in a quick-moving industry so you’re always on your toes, and there’s always something you can be doing or learning to make you better at your job. As a result, everyone works hard and it builds a strong sense of camaraderie and healthy competition that brings us together as colleagues and bonds us as friends. I’d say that’s what I enjoy most about working here; some of the best friends that I’ve made since moving to San Francisco are people I’ve met here on the SDR team.

What’s most rewarding about your role?

The most rewarding thing about the SDR role is the flexibility and ability to tailor the role to your interests and ambitions, while also contributing to a larger team working against a common goal. It’s a strong foundation for the rest of your career, and you have a chance to hone your sales skills at an incredibly well-run, innovative, and fast-growing company that’s positioned at the center of the booming software-as-a-service industry. At the end of each month, each quarter, each year, you can look back and see the tangible impact of your work -- down to the dollar. We find, create, and capitalize on opportunities that otherwise may not have existed. You’re coached by leaders that provide the wisdom and resources needed to grow and succeed.

What first attracted you to the company?

The possibility of joining a young company with a strong vision and the chance to build something. A good friend from college already worked for Okta when I graduated; and after speaking with him and several positive exchanges during the interview process, it was clear that everyone shares the same belief in opportunity. So, I didn’t waste my opportunity.

What is your favorite memory from your time at Okta?

The SDR fishing trip -- one of the first team outings after I joined Okta. It was a big day for the team. It was a beautiful day on San Francisco Bay, and lots of fish were caught.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

During my free time I enjoy snowboarding, golf, hikes, restaurants, and concerts. Typical things. Quite often, it involves friends I’ve made here at Okta. Even after a long week we just can’t get enough of each other sometimes.

If you could define Okta in one word, what would it be?

I’ve probably said it a few times already, but, ‘Opportunity.’

Think you might have what it takes to join our growing team? We want to meet you. Check out our careers page for available positions.