Shanelle Gibson transformed her career trajectory from working in a warehouse to earning over $132,000 annually in the tech industry, all without a bachelor's degree. Her story begins with various jobs, including stints in a pizza kitchen, a daycare, and a brief period in the Air Force, from which she was discharged for medical reasons. In 2015, Gibson had a pivotal realization that changed her career path. She decided to pivot towards something more fulfilling and leveraged Craigslist to post her resume and seek new opportunities.
Gibson's journey took a significant turn when she earned her scrum master certification through Scrum Alliance in 2021. The certification process involved a two-day course costing approximately $400. Shortly after obtaining her certification, she secured her first role as a scrum master at UnitedHealthcare. Her professional routine now involves working from home with a flexible schedule that typically follows a 9-to-5 pattern, though she adjusts her hours based on workload demands.
At just 23 years old, Gibson had already begun to redefine her professional life. Her first steps in the tech world started six years prior when she moved to Atlanta after leaving school. Describing these years as her "soul-searching years," Gibson explored various roles that contributed to her understanding of her career aspirations.
Before transitioning into tech, Gibson worked at ParkingSoft, a parking management software startup, as a phone dispatcher. During her tenure there, she was nearly promoted to a management position, which marked the beginning of her ascent in the tech industry. Following her departure from ParkingSoft in 2019, she joined Ceredian Dayforce and later UnitedHealthcare, where she undertook technical support and project management roles. Her capabilities were quickly recognized at UnitedHealthcare, resulting in a swift promotion to customer support analyst within weeks of joining.
Gibson has been immersed in the tech industry since 2016 and currently holds the position of lead scrum master at a small healthcare firm. Despite not completing her bachelor's degree at Valdosta State University due to concerns about accruing debt, she has built a successful career. She emphasizes that achieving financial success does not hinge on having a college degree.
"I knew that I was capable and hardworking, but society tells us that you need a college degree to land a high-paying job," said Shanelle Gibson.
She asserts that personal determination is crucial in reaching financial goals.
"Whether you succeed in college or not doesn't define who you are as a person," she reflected on her journey.
Gibson encourages others to explore various avenues for skill enhancement and self-improvement.
"You can read books, and take boot camps online, there are so many ways to improve your skills. Whatever it is that you want to do, if you have the right attitude and put the work in, you'll achieve it," she advised aspiring professionals.
Her role as a lead scrum master suits her personality well.
"It's honestly the perfect job for an introvert like me," Gibson remarked about her current position.
Reflecting on her initial career experiences, she recalls the moment of clarity that spurred her career transformation.
"I just had this 'aha moment' where I looked around at these mountains of boxes and tired people working alongside me and thought, 'I shouldn't be here, I feel like I'm destined for more than this minimum wage job I'm not happy in,'" Gibson remembered.