This Meet the Trulian features engineering executive administrator, Ellesse Schneider. Ellesse supports the Trulia Engineering Department with meeting and event coordination, department programs, employee relations and so much more. She’s also a founding member of Trulia’s Women in Engineering Group. Read on to learn more about Ellesse.
What’s your role at Trulia?
I am the Engineering Executive Administrator here at Trulia. My main role is to support the software engineering team with day-to-day coordination and assistance. This includes everything from team meeting coordination, onsite training scheduling and internal team program management to all things event planning. I also support our VP of Consumer Engineering, Jeff McConathy, with everyday calendar management and planning assistance.
I joined Trulia in 2011 and have been able to continue managing some of the different programs that have crossed my plate at one time or another over the years, including office-wide event planning, internal program management, such as our Philanthropy Program and Women in Engineering Group, and I even get to dabble in some graphic design. Graphic design has always been a personal passion of mine, and I love that I’ve been able to apply what I’ve learned through different design courses to my work here – the Trulia engineering teams do a lot of cool things and I get to do a lot of t-shirt and logo designing in correlation to their projects.
What inspired you to get into your role?
I actually kind of just fell into this role. I had just moved to San Francisco from Boulder, Colorado and heard from an acquaintance that a receptionist role had opened at her company (Trulia), so I applied and shortly after, became a Trulian. I was the Trulia receptionist for just a few months when my current role opened up, and while it has since evolved quite a bit, I love that I get to touch many facets of the company.
What was your dream job growing up and why?
I have always been a huge animal lover, so becoming some sort of animal trainer was always a goal of mine as a child. I only had one cat growing up (who I loved – Skeeter), so when I would vanish from my parent’s sight, the first place they would look was at my neighbor’s house to the left, where they had a beautiful husky, and then to the right, where they had three adorable cats. I was bound to be curled up with one of them. In fact, my bucket list includes going on an African safari where I can spy on tons of huge wild animals at home in their habitat.
What’s the one gadget or personal tech item you cannot live without and why?
My iPhone. I have come to rely on it quite a bit. I guess you could argue that I use it for everything – from checking emails and calling vendors at work to staying connected with family and coordinating weekend getaways. I even use the flashlight app while camping. It just has it all, and it fits in my pocket.
Another pretty cool gadget that I literally can’t live without is my insulin pump. I am a Type One Diabetic and recently switched over to using a pump – it’s quite a marvel to experience the advances they have made in modern medicine. Synced with my Continuous Glucose Monitor, I’m like a walking robot!
What was the last movie you saw or book you read and what – if anything – would you change about the ending?
I recently saw the movie “Room.” Oh my, I was captivated for the solid hour and 58 minutes. I don’t think I could change anything about it. The way the story was told from their perspective and the emotions that were displayed were really moving. Not to mention, I was crying like a baby the entire time!
What’s your proudest accomplishment and why?
My work here at Trulia. I have been here for almost six years and it’s the longest I have committed and worked this hard at any one thing. I’ve learned and grown a heck of a lot while working here. Seeing the company grow and feeling like I am a part of its successes feels pretty darn cool.
If you could master one talent or skill that you don’t have now what would it be and why?
Music. I can’t keep a tune or read a note if my life depended on it. It has made me have a real appreciation for anyone who is musically inclined – kudos to you! With that, I would love to be able to whistle. I’ve tried for years and just can’t get it.
If you could have one superpower what would it be and why?
I would love to be able to fly at variable speeds. The thought of jetting over to Spain for dinner and being able to stop and appreciate the view along the way sounds just spectacular. Weekend getaways would take on a whole new meaning.
If you could time travel, would you go into the future or past and why?
I would have to say the past. Being able to see where technology was at different stages first-hand, and to be able to understand how far we have come, would be fascinating. It would make me appreciate everything we have now that much more.
