Project Manager of the Quarter — January 2020
In this installment of our Project Manager of the Quarter series, we’re delighted to introduce you to a hard-working go-getter who’s been with ModSquad for about five years. After initially providing services as a Mod Contractor, she applied for an employee role. Soon after, she started as a Project Manager, where she currently works on some of our video game and consumer product client projects. Let’s get to know our latest honoree, Gloria Wu!
Gloria came to ModSquad as a Mod just after giving birth to her daughter. Not ready to return to the teaching roles she held while in graduate school, Gloria sought a part-time job that would allow her to work from home to spend time with her child and, as she says, “not miss any of her precious moments.” Being a Mod afforded her that flexibility, and she’s certainly made the most of her time with her family. In the five years since her daughter’s arrival, the family has traveled to China, Hawaii, Bahamas, Mexico, and all around the U.S.
With an M.A. and Ph.D. in Sport Management, Gloria puts her industry knowledge to good use, as a number of her projects are in the esports arena, which she dubs “a hot new topic in the sport management field.” In fact, the day after the she completed her dissertation defense, she was informed of the Project Manager role, which would eventually pair her with esports clients.
Gloria, whose studies included extensive training in both qualitative and quantitative research, appreciates the knowledge she’s gained during her time at ModSquad. She says, “I familiarize myself with industry practices and utilize my analytic and critical-thinking skills in reporting and problem-solving.” But her learning is far from over:
The industry has developed rapidly due to globalization and technology improvements, which brings competition and opportunities. My goal is to take opportunities, keep up with trends, and grow with the company. After all, what makes ModSquad outstanding in the industry are our Mods’ qualities, skills, and experience. I love to contribute my analytic, research, and language skills to such an exciting journey.
In her day-to-day role as a PM, Gloria considers all aspects of the position to be important to the success of a project, from the people to scheduling, reporting, and client communication. “As a Project Manager,” she says, “I continue monitoring all aspects of a project to make sure things are under control, which I think is the most important task that I do for my projects.” Being able to cover all of those elements of the job is the key to success, a message she would impart to any future ModSquad Project Managers:
There are always issues to solve and things to learn as a Project Manager. Stay positive and focus on the solution and the learning experience. The knowledge and experience gained from each case will be yours — and you won’t need to pay tuition for it!
Gloria’s impressive skills and work ethic have made her an admired and popular member of ModSquad. We asked a couple of her colleagues to share their thoughts about Gloria.
“Gloria Wu is phenomenal! She is an excellent communicator and is passionate about ensuring that a project runs smoothly and the client remains happy. She is adaptable and if she doesn’t know something, she will do the research to figure out the answer. Gloria is creative and is always trying to figure out how to make things better on a project. She’s motivated, proactive, and positive.”
— Theresa G., Account Manager
“Gloria continually earns the trust of every client and fellow employee. She strives to meet every deadline thrown at her, prepares the Mods thoroughly for all eventualities, and delivers high-quality service to our clients. Those clients appreciate having someone they can count on handling their products. Her positive, can-do attitude elevates all those around her.”
— Michael M., Account Manager