Today we’d like to introduce you to Reshard Snellings.
Reshard, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up, our parents tell us go to school, graduate and get a good-paying job. What they do not always tell us is that it is not going to be that easy, there will be bumps in the road along the way, and more than likely, you will change your mind and want to give up and quit many times over.
In 2006, I was working for Bank of America and suffered a lower back injury and was transported from the job to the hospital via ambulance. While in the hospital, I thought about going back to school and finishing my degree. When I returned back to work, I was reprimanded and written up for missing a week of work without approval. I attempted to reason with my manager but she said it was not planned and it is company policy. That day, I applied for admission to Georgia State University and eventually resigned from the bank. I completed my Business Administration degree in Real Estate and then went on to work for CoStar Group, where I was a Commercial Real Estate Research Associate. I realized that I was not excited about Real Estate and was moreso interested in Mortgages. After leaving CoStar, I worked a contract for Navy Federal Credit Union and then was offered a life-changing opportunity at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Here I gained processing, underwriting and exposure to closing. At Wells Fargo, I remember saying to myself how I would create their origination system if I ever got a job in Software Engineering.
My Frat Brother, Roman, was working at Accenture and he thought I would be a great fit. I applied and was not offered the job. I applied for other positions and was turned down again. I was determined not to give up and so I applied for a Business Analyst. The recruiter thought I was a match and I interviewed and was offered the job. While working at Accenture, they placed me in a Healthcare Implementation Role. I had no idea what I was doing but I was determined to learn. I excelled, was promoted and now I work in a specialized division of the company where we develop our software, which is used by many financial institutions that range in size from your small credit unions to your larger banks.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has not been smooth at all. I missed my college graduation because the job would not let me take time off to attend. I had to commute over 75 miles each way to work just to maintain employment while making less than $40,000 a year in the Washington DC Metro Area. My landlord sold the condo I was renting and I had a one week notice to get out. I was living out of hotels and sleeping on another Frat Brothers Couch. His roommate hated me and I had to worry if his roommate was going to put me out. When I think of the road I traveled, I had no stability and I was doing it all on my own.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I work for the Mortgage Division of Accenture. We build software applications for financial institutions. All we do is mortgage software. I am proud of the many products that we offer that support our customers. Our people are the most talented people I have ever worked with PERIOD! These same people set us apart for our competition.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory was representing my school in the Computer Challenge, where I created documents and graphics and presented them to the judges.
Contact Info:
- Address: Mortgage Cadence, an Accenture Company
75 Fifth Street NW Atlanta, GA 30308 - Website: www.mortgagecadence.com
- Phone: 678-657-8000
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