Pictured Above: Evan Inra with his children in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Evan Inra (EMBA ’08) joined the Darden Alumni Career Services coaching staff in the fall of 2020. With 25 years of experience in management consulting and technology, Evan is now a Principal HR Program Manager at Amazon Web Services.
What career trends are you seeing in the Washington, D.C., area as well in the technology industry overall?
Incredible what a difference a year (or two) makes, but this is one of the best job markets I have seen in my 25-year career. The flip side of “The Great Resignation” is that there are so many incredible opportunities available to Darden alumni. In fact, it may even be a cycle that is feeding into itself and causing even more people to explore new roles. All of which means, if you can dream up the role, there is a recruiter and hiring manager out there anxious to meet and sell you on it!
You made a career switch. What advice do you have for others thinking of doing the same?
Talk to us! (Email Alumni Career Services.) I’ve made several significant pivots in my career. Start by having the courage to go for it. There are so many reasons not to (e.g., inertia, fear, livelihood, to name a few), but life is too short to not enjoy what you do – and spend most of your waking hours during the week focused on. Think about what you enjoy, as well as what you are good at. Ask those who know you best for advice. Also consider signing up for Darden’s Design Your Life workshop, which receives rave reviews. Finally, you can try some roles as a side hustle first — or by volunteering — before going for a full career switch. Be creative and, most importantly, have fun with it!
What are the top three tips you give alumni who are looking for new roles?
- Take advantage of the Darden network! Far too many are hesitant to reach out to Darden alums they don’t know. Over time, it’s the greatest value of your Darden degree. Take advantage of it.
- Have a fully completed, and compelling, LinkedIn profile. Check out resume and LinkedIn tips here.
- Network some more.
What is your favorite Darden memory?
Camping out on the Great Wall of China with my EMBA ’08 classmates, with a perfect crescent moon hanging over us as we played poker and marveled at the journey we had been on – and wondering about the adventures to come!
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Spending time and traveling with my beautiful family (fellow Wahoo wife Laura, UVa first year Marissa and son Nick, who is a junior in high school), playing with our two rescue dogs, Orangetheory Fitness classes (my happy place), meeting fellow Darden alums, watching college football, sipping great tequila and building fires in my backyard fire pit.
