Adrienne Brown

My journey to becoming a Certified ScrumMaster has not been a straight path.  Instead, I look at the journey as the universe allowing me to combine my skillsets and interests into one cool title known as a CSM.

I earned my BA at Brooklyn College, City University of New York.  My major was Television and Radio.  I had aspirations of using my writing skills in the television industry. 

Although I moved to Atlanta, GA the day after earning my undergraduate degree, my plan was to eventually move back to New York.  I landed an entry-level job at a local television station (Yeah!), but I was unable to get promoted (Boo!).  I got another job at a different television station, only to go through the same uphill battle of promotion.  That's when I decided that perhaps "TV wasn't for me", and took my skills elsewhere.

I found a good writing position at Executrain, where I began writing training manuals.  I was happy:  I had a position that allowed me to write!  Unfoturnately, my happiness was short-lived as I was laid off about two years into the gig.

My biggest takeaway from that job was learning about the need for Technical Writers.  This is when I became a Contracting Queen, working at companies such as IBM, MachPoint, AT&T.

AT&T introduced me to another skillset: eLearning.  I was able to combine two skilsets I adored: Writing Instructions and Visial Arts.  I blossmed in this area!  I worked with clients to understand the end goals of online projects with assessments, and also use my visual training.  I enjoyed this arena so much I pursued and received my M.S. of Information Design and Communication from Southern Polytechnic State University. 

After receiving my graduate degree, I found a permanent position at a biopharma company in Atlanta who need a eLearning Developer.  I interviewed with the manager who flew in from Europe and was hired the following week. 

For the past twelve years, my title has changed but my repsonsibilties are similar to the requirement of a ScrumMaster.  I work with internal clients to understand the needs of a project and then work with a development team to deliver a project within a designated time frame.  In between, I can can use my writing skills to gather requirements, create mockups and deliver quality documents.  I can also use my technical skills to design a quality end products (apps and websites).

This new venture as a ScrumMaster/Product Owner has already been beneficial.  I am the only certified CSM at my job, so I am able to lead projects in a new and efficient way.

My future: I want to be a CSP with aspirations of being a Certified Scrum Trainer, where I believe I can combine all of my skillsets!