As a graduate student in 2019, Allison Hamilton discovered her perfect career match at Syndio, where she could apply her expertise in cognitive machine learning and gender studies. Her unique cover letter, featuring the clever line "I'm a strong believer in pizza rolls, not gender roles," caught the company's attention.

Despite initially withdrawing her application due to imposter syndrome, Syndio's founder personally reached out to Hamilton, demonstrating the company's commitment to recognizing potential beyond traditional metrics. This interaction exemplified Syndio's philosophy of valuing action over titles.

Now serving as the manager of research and analytics, Hamilton's journey showcases the importance of workplace support and professional growth. She transitioned from being Syndio's first data scientist to a leadership role, supported by comprehensive management training and a culture that encourages skill development.

Her career path spans the entire software development lifecycle, including positions in IT analysis, software development, systems analysis, QA, and data science. At Syndio, Hamilton found the flexibility to pivot from engineering and machine learning to research and creative data analysis, aligning with her strengths and interests.

Professional development at Syndio includes:

• Structured management training framework
• Weekly learning commitments
• Participation in STEM conferences
• Mentorship programs
• Opportunities to explore different roles and skills

Hamilton now contributes to Syndio's mission of closing workplace pay gaps and creating fairness through data-driven solutions. Her experience demonstrates how companies can nurture talent by supporting personal growth, encouraging skill development, and creating an environment where employees feel comfortable taking calculated risks and learning from mistakes.

"I am passionate about the Syndio mission to close pay gaps and create fairness in the workplace," Hamilton reflects, "and I get excited knowing that every morning when I open my laptop the work that I am doing contributes to just that."

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