Saxbys Team Spotlight
We’re lucky enough to work with some tenacious and talented baristas who can memorize names and orders like no one’s business, come up with clever chalkboard signs at the drop of a hat, and put smiles on faces every day. But we have to shine a spotlight on Saxbys 30th Street team member Jordan Jobs, who earned the prestigious honor to give this year’s commencement speech for Drexel University’s College of Computing and Informatics. After spending five years in Philly through Drexel’s co-op program, this South Jersey native is heading to New York to take on a cyber security position at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Jordan took a quick break from finals and speech prep to chat with us about what she’ll miss the most about Philly, her fondest memories from her years at Drexel, and how to write a commencement speech with a message that lingers longer than graduation day Snapchats.
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation & commencement speech! How were you selected to speak for your class?
Thank you, I’m really excited to give this year’s student commencement speech to the College of Computing and Informatics! It definitely wasn’t on my senior bucket list to be honest. When I randomly received the email that invited me to address everyone at the commencement, I was confused, surprised, proud, and nervous all at the same time. I called my parents and boyfriend right away to give them the news.
Soon enough, after the butterflies, I understood that this was an incredibly prestigious opportunity, and I had to ask how my selection came about. Melissa Englund, the Associate Director of Academic Operations (who initially delivered the news), informed me that I was recommended “as an excellent choice by a number of people within the college and the Dean concurred with their recommendation.” It was truly a gratifying feeling, and also especially heartwarming to know that the professors I’ve interacted with over these past few years held me in such high esteem.
We’d love a teaser of your commencement speech! What message do you want to pass on to your fellow graduates?
“We wouldn’t have today’s technology if Google and Apple employed clones of each other. College is about being challenged not only intellectually, but also challenged by our differences culturally, socially, and politically.”
The overall message in my speech is to seek and embrace differences in the field of technology. As we enter the workforce as technologists, we will be contributing to the leaps and bounds within our field, but I believe we have a duty to also contribute to the improvement of diversity within our field. There is still this looming issue of how little diversity there is in technology in terms of ethnicity and especially gender. As a woman of color, improving diversity in technology is a message that means a lot to me because it’s a personal challenge I’ve had to face. Although members of my audience won’t know my experiences first hand or may be too busy taking Snapchats, I hope the overall theme gets through. When one of my colleagues has the choice to volunteer at a STEM outreach event in their community or when they’re behind the desk interviewing a perspective employee, I hope they consider how they can impact the future of our field. My speech isn’t all seriousness though, there are also some nerdy jokes, a shout out to Halal food trucks, and many notes of appreciation to family, professors, and classmates. However, I want the takeaway to be known that there are undeniable advantages to not only opening up the technology playing field, but also inviting others to play.
Tell us about your experiences at Drexel! What will you miss the most?
Drexel has been such an awesome experience. The only thing I’d change is probably saving more money from my co-ops and not eating out as much (pretty much so I’d have more money)! But I can happily say I will look back on my undergraduate experience very fondly. I can certainly say I will have extreme FOMO about my sorority. I joined Delta Zeta at Drexel the fall term of my freshman year and it has been such a fun experience being part of an organization full of intelligent, smart, funny, and talented women. I’ve had the honor of holding positions ranging from Athletics Chair to Secretary and President (Athletics Chair was probably my favorite), and the lessons, opportunities, and experiences DZ has given me collectively are countless. Although I’m leaving with friends after I graduate, I’m definitely going to miss some aspects like Greek Week, playing flag football, going to formals, and having friends who live only a few short blocks away. It is definitely bittersweet in retrospect.
We hear you’ll be moving to New York to work for PwC (so cool!). Will you come back to visit Philly? If so, where’s the first place you’ll go?
I’m very excited about my post grad steps in the Big Apple; I’ve also had my eye on working for PwC since my freshman year! While living in New York will definitely be an adventure, Philadelphia will always be my first love (in terms of cities). I’m a little worried about missing out on my daily Saxbys addiction when I move, but if Saxbys ends up having a cafe in New York I will personally invite all my coworkers to go on coffee dates with me. I definitely plan on visiting Philly on a pretty regular basis. So many of my friends are staying in Philly, so that’s enough of an incentive. Philly is also a halfway point for my family, since we’re dispersed from New York to South Jersey now. Since I’ll probably be arriving through 30th Street Station, I’ll have to visit my cafe team members and get a latte first!
How long have you lived in Philly for? What sets it apart from other cities, in your eyes?
I have lived in Philly for five years because of Drexel’s five year co-op program. I grew up in South Jersey, so I felt fairly familiar with the city when I was making my decision about colleges. As I mentioned before, I love Philly, and it’s a challenge to give this city the justice it deserves; however, in my opinion what sets it apart is that the feeling of community is a lot more tangible here than what I have experienced elsewhere. There are entrepreneurs and philanthropists supported by people at almost every corner. I’ve seen my favorite food truck get its own storefront in Rittenhouse because of strong customer following. Over a year ago I had never heard of Saxbys, and here I am being a barista for an amazing company that partners with Alex’s Lemonade Stand among other non-profits. I have an inspirational older brother that teaches high school in South Philly and is teaching his students to think critically. I go for a run in Fairmount and give and receive smiles from complete strangers. In my eyes, Philadelphia is a community that also happens to be a city.
We’ll miss you so much at Saxbys! If you could also give a commencement speech to your Saxbys team, what would you say?
This may be the hardest question! I feel like with a commencement speech is when you bestow wisdom or a message to others, but my team members are the ones who give lessons to me every shift — I’ve learned to laugh at myself a little more when vanilla-steamed milk ends up in my hair. They are such fun-loving, silly, motivated, and dedicated teammates. Most people aren’t lucky to have a college part-time job where they are enjoying their work and simultaneously having fun with the people that they work with. My speech to my team would be short and sweet, “Don’t change one bit.” They not only make our guests mornings better, but they create a great environment to work in. I will miss everyone at Saxbys!