At SAS, where you start doesn’t have to be where you end, and opportunity for internal mobility abounds. Perhaps no one can attest to this more than Tom La!

Meet Tom

Tom has reinvented his career time and time again, touching nearly every part of the customer and product lifecycle over his 20 years at SAS:  “I started at SAS as an intern, and after graduation I began my career as a Systems Engineer in Sales,” he shares. “After that, I moved into delivery, implementing our software at customer sites. Then I moved into Support because I enjoyed problem solving, working with customers, and wanted to expand my knowledge of SAS architecture. It was here that I also moved into my first leadership role. After that, I jumped back into R&D to join Product Management to help shape the vision, strategy and roadmap for our products and solutions."

And today, Tom is just a few months into yet another exciting new role as Sr. Manager, Pre-Sales Support in our Cloud and Information Services (CIS) division, leading a team of presales architects to support customer advisors with technical questions about SAS Cloud. He’s passionate about spending his time on work that makes a difference. “We’re all here for a finite amount of time. We spend so much of that time at work – so let’s make sure that what we’re spending our time on is making a difference. At SAS, I know my work is making a meaningful impact.”

“It’s a great time to be at SAS,” Tom explains. “We’re approaching an IPO in 2024, and SAS Cloud/Viya 4 is the future of our company. I’m excited to support our customers in their journey to Viya 4!”

“We’re all here for a finite amount of time. We spend so much of that time at work – so let’s make sure that what we’re spending our time on is making a difference. At SAS, I know my work is making a meaningful impact.”

Internal Mobility

Throughout Tom’s career at SAS, he’s taken advantage of the plethora of career mobility resources available, including meeting with our internal career coach. “Internal mobility at SAS has been very flexible,” explains Tom. “My leadership has always been supportive and has encouraged me to pursue different opportunities within the company.”

Tom’s advice for making a move? Start by identifying your “why.” “Think about your “why” – why are you working? What are you in it for? And then design a journey to help you get there. It won’t be done in a year or two – it’s a long road – but if you have short and long-term goals and trusted mentors, you’ll get there,” Tom says. “Once you know your “why,” you can find folks to help, folks who are in in the role you’re interested in.”

Tom has also benefitted greatly from mentorship: “I’ve served as a mentor to others and have mentors myself,” he shares. “Everyone at SAS is so friendly and approachable; but it’s up to you to reach out, come prepared and let them know how they can help. At the end of the day, you have to take ownership of your career.”

Living the #saslife

What first attracted Tom to SAS is also what has kept him here after all these years: “SAS values family and work/life integration, and there’s a strong focus on well-being,” he shares. “The people here are the best part about working at SAS. I’ve built up a lot of amazing relationships.”

"SAS has grown with me thought the different phases of life," Tom reflects. "My colleagues have really been my family - it was my home for the post-college transitional years, and SAS has been with me through graduation, marriage and kids. I'm invested in the people here, and I know others are invested in me."

Outside the Office

Outside the office, you’ll find Tom and his wife keeping up with their three busy boys – ages 8, 4 and 1 – and tackling home improvement projects. The La family also enjoys spending time outdoors at Raleigh’s beautiful parks and hitting the trails at Umstead with their terrier mix, Gus Gus (a pandemic pup!).