Employee Spotlight: Ashleigh Walsh

Ashleigh’s first day at Parallel was 9/10/01 – one day before the September 11th attacks, three days after moving from Manhattan to Columbus which makes her start date memorable. She left New York in order to work for Parallel, which makes her extra grateful for the job she was given! She’s currently a Senior Account Manager, using her 23 years of technology experience to problem-solve and craft solutions for new and existing customers alike.

1. Describe a typical week in your job.

It’s not the same right now.  Normally, it’s meeting with clients, finding out technical needs, developing solutions for problems they are experiencing and identifying cost savings.  It’s different now because everything is via Zoom or over the phone.  It’s been nice getting caught up on paperwork.  The lack of driving between the office and appointments has given me a few hours back in my day.

2. What’s your favorite thing about working at Parallel?

I have the best boss ever.  I love the flexibility and the fact that we are like a big family.  Everyone has been there forever and it’s just comfortable.

3. Are you a hunter or a gatherer?

I don’t think either, really.  I’m more of a farmer, I would say.  I know that there is value in the planting of seeds and not always selling.  I like to put out the solution and I hope that people see the value and move forward.  I’m not the biggest fan of the hunt.  And I do a lot of work with mostly existing clients.

4. If you could choose between two super powers, being able to make yourself invisible or being able to fly, what would you choose?

I would choose invisible.  You could avoid a lot of situations and gather some good intel.  I also enjoy being in the car so I’d probably have to give that up if I could fly places.

5. When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you pass the time?

I like to build Legos while watching reality tv. Following the instructions of the Lego set is very relaxing, and the reality tv gives me all of the drama I need, better on tv than in real life!

6. At what age did you become an adult?

I think 12, maybe even sooner.  I was ready to be on my own and doing my own thing. And I thought a lot of the stuff we did in school as kids was silly.

7. What three traits define you?

Precise.  Logical.  Content.

8. What would you do for a living if you weren’t doing this?

Honestly, when I think back to if I could have chosen a different path, I would have been a stay at home mom.  That’s the only thing that I ever wish I would have done.  I have never thought of any other career that I would rather do.  Unless you could do Legos for a living.

9. What chore do you absolutely hate doing?

Cleaning bathrooms, for obvious reasons.

10. If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?

Hermione Granger from Harry Potter.  I identify with her.  She was a rule follower, but understood that there were times when you need to make up your own mind and do what you think is right.