Jayhawk Career Network

Mentor Spotlight: Anna Perrone

January 4, 2023

We’re highlighting Jayhawks who serve as mentors to fellow alumni and students to celebrate National Mentoring Month.

Anna Perrone is an account executive at Precisely. Originally from Oakdale, California, she graduated from KU with a bachelor’s degree in strategic communications in 2019 and now lives in San Francisco, California.

Connect with Anna on KU Mentoring+.

What do you do at your job? And how did you end up in your current career?

I am an account executive for a tech company selling to large enterprise customers. After graduating with a degree in journalism, I immediately entered sales working in wine and beverage sales in Austin, Texas, in a leadership development program. I enjoyed sales and loved the structured program, but I wanted to pivot to tech pretty quickly. I did so by joining a large tech company’s prestigious sales academy, which helped me pivot industries and set me up for success. About four months ago, I joined my current company to gain exposure to other sales organizations and understand what it was like to work for a smaller company.

Who is a mentor for you, and how did they help you?

I’ve had a lot of mentors, which I’ve sought out in every phase of my life. While I could name many, they all had the same effect on me: encouraging me to go after what I desired even if the path wasn’t traditional. They helped me network with the right people that I could learn from and exposed me to a wide variety of opportunities.

What advice do you have for current college students or young alumni?

Someone has to get the job, so why not you? Even if you feel under qualified or like your experience doesn’t exactly align, being confident in yourself and able to tell your story might just get you where you want to be or at least give you a shot.

What is your favorite KU memory?

I have so many, but I can’t beat the feeling of walking down Jayhawk Boulevard on a beautiful blue-sky day when the tulips are blooming.

Need a mentor? Want to serve as a mentor? KU Mentoring is open to students, alumni, faculty and staff, and friends of the University of Kansas. Professionals who are looking for opportunities to connect with KU and provide assistance to Jayhawks are also welcome. Learn more about KU Mentoring.