Jaiden Ritter
Role: Product Development Analyst, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Other(s):
“I'm focused on learning as much as possible from as many people as I can. I want to learn more about my role, specifically what I'm doing and how to get better at it. I want to learn more about the roles of the people that I'm working with, especially like design engineering. I want to focus on strengthening my technical skills. I'm just trying to be a sponge right now and absorb as much as I can.”
Today’s newest NUFRIEND is Jaiden Ritter.
Jaiden is a former Division 1 athlete and current product analyst at J.P. Morgan in Chicago, Illinois. A recent University of Maryland graduate, Jaiden majored in Information Systems, driven by her interest in technology and business. Her career began with internships at J.P. Morgan, where she now contributes to their Innovation Development Program. Raised in Baltimore, Jaiden's athletic prowess in high school track earned her a scholarship to Boston University before transferring to Maryland. Despite injuries and personal losses, she excelled academically and professionally. Jaiden is passionate about creating digital products that improve lives. Her story is one of perseverance, continuous learning, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
An abbreviated version of the conversation is provided below. Enjoy!
Introduction & Jaiden’s Background
Elijah: Jaiden, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Jaiden: My name is Jaiden Ritter. I work in product as an analyst in the innovation development program at J. P. Morgan. And I currently live in Chicago, Illinois.
Growing Up in Baltimore
Elijah: Let’s start with Baltimore. That’s where you were raised but you ended up going to school in Howard County. Paint the picture of Howard County to me.
Jaiden: It's your typical suburb but everyone was from a higher socioeconomic status. My school in Ellicott City was probably the most diverse, with a mix of Black, Asian, Indian, Latin, and more. I was exposed to many different backgrounds and everyone was welcoming. I had friends from every culture, which allowed me to learn a lot and gain different perspectives. I'm grateful for my education and the diverse environment that opened my eyes to the world. In elementary school, some of my best friends were Korean. They invited me over and introduced me to various snacks and foods I had never seen before. I was always excited to try something new and learn about their family customs.
Elijah: Who advised your mom that moving you to another school district would be beneficial?
Jaiden: It was definitely my granddad. He recognized the opportunities and doors that would open for me if I went to school in Howard County. He was so dedicated that he bought a house out there so my uncle, cousins, and I could attend school.
High School Years: Discovering Athletic Talent
Elijah: What were the pressures like for you in high school to figure things out for college?
Jaiden: I had no choice but to find my own way to school. One thing I started noticing was that a lot of kids around me had parents who were already saving up for their college education. That made me ask my mom about it. My mom worked three or four jobs throughout my entire childhood. I don't even know what possessed me to ask her. But she responded immediately with, 'No, I don't.' It wasn't that my mom didn't want to help; she just couldn't afford to.
That was a wake-up call. I realized I had to figure this out on my own. I also didn't want to add to my mom's stress. She was already worrying about so much, and if I could take something off her plate, I would. I decided that going to school was key to making a better life for myself and my family, and to break the cycle we were in. So, around eighth grade, I started looking into different ways to get a free college education. I researched ROTC programs and explored various military branches. I decided to join the Air Force ROTC and set my sights on Texas A&M. They would cover my tuition, and in return, I’d serve in the military for four to six years after graduating. My original plan was to become a Military Police Officer. But then around that time, I also realized I was athletic.
Road to College: Challenges and Triumphs
Elijah: Who was Jaiden in high school then? Was Jaiden just the athlete?
Jaiden: I was an athlete. Everybody knew me for track. I was always in the newspaper for breaking records. Everything I did was related to track. I'd go to school, talk to friends, practice, come home, stretch, sleep, do core, and repeat. Track was my life, and I didn't do much else outside of it. It was my identity.
Elijah: After a quick Google search - Wow. You killed it during your high school career. When did college recruitment start happening?
Jaiden: Recruitment started my junior year. I won counties, broke records, and did well at states, coming in second in the 55-meter dash. After nationals, bigger schools began reaching out for visits. But then I injured my hamstring, and all recruiting interest stopped since I couldn't run anymore.
Elijah: What did that teach you?
Jaiden: The injury taught me resilience and optimism. I realized things can be taken away quickly. It forced me to slow down, be present, and focus on friends and family. I learned to value what was happening in my life outside of track, which had consumed me before.
Elijah: So, what was the season like following the injury?
Jaiden: It was rough. I wanted to be at the same level I was before the injury, but I wasn't. It forced me to work harder than ever. I struggled mentally because I felt like I should be farther ahead. It was frustrating to struggle with times I used to run easily. I had to learn to accept the past and move forward.
Elijah: How did you go through that learning phase? What helped you accept the past?
Jaiden: My mom put me in therapy. Since 8th grade, my goal was to get to school for free. I went from having colleges interested in me to feeling like I lost everything. I was scared of not being able to go to college and the idea of taking out loans terrified me. Track seemed like the only way. This pressure and fear paralyzed me for a while. My mom suggested therapy, and it started to help. I learned ways to cope and prayed a lot. By winter of my senior year, I wasn't fully back to where I wanted, but some people were still interested in me. A coach from Boston University understood my situation and took a chance on me, leading to a full ride.
Elijah: So you achieved a goal you were pursuing since childhood. What were those moments like when you knew you'd secured a full ride?
Jaiden: A huge weight lifted off my and my family's shoulders. I was the first in my family to achieve this, and everyone was proud. My mom had me at 16, so the odds were stacked against me. It was beautiful for my family to see their hard work pay off, exceeding their hopes for me.
College Life: From Boston University to UMD
Elijah: When you arrived at BU, what were your first impressions?
Jaiden: I was thrilled initially just to be there. Honestly, I was excited about college and grateful for the opportunity to attend for free. I had always wanted to experience living out of state, and it felt like everything I had wished for was coming true. I began studying health sciences, imagining a future as an athletic trainer or physiotherapist, since many athletes see that career path as a natural progression. However, I quickly realized that the medical field wasn't for me—I don't like blood or any of the medical details that come with those professions.
Elijah: So after two years at BU, you transferred. How did that play out? And what about track?
Jaiden: Track didn't go as expected, and neither did my overall experience in college. My freshman year, just a month into school, my grandmother passed away, which was a devastating loss for me because I was very close to my grandparents. Dealing with that grief made my initial college experience very tough. In terms of track, I pulled my hamstring halfway through the year, which was frustrating as I often found myself dealing with injuries. Just as I was recovering and getting back into form for the conference meet, COVID hit and we were sent home. The sudden change brought on by the pandemic added another layer of complexity to my college journey.
Switching Majors and Career Exploration
Elijah: So when did you switch your major?
Jaiden: I switched my major in the second semester of freshman year to Business. At first, it was a bit of career exploration, but the biggest motivating factor was one of my friend’s moms. She was someone I really admired, and after hearing about her work and the person she was, I thought, 'I want to be like her someday.' That got me curious about business. So, I started researching, took a business class, and really loved it. I began to understand how much businesses influence the world. They’re vehicles for solving problems and have the power to help many people, which I found very appealing.
Elijah: You switched to Business, spent another year at BU, and then transferred to UMD in your junior year. That's when things get serious regarding focusing on postgrad plans. It sounds like, considering the type of person you are, you would have been dedicated to making those plans a reality.
Jaiden: Absolutely, I was very focused. I started by applying for numerous internships and fellowships. Fortunately, I had a circle of highly motivated friends who introduced me to essential concepts like building a resume, networking, and the importance of mentorship and sponsorship. I mirrored their actions and got deeply involved. For example, in my sophomore year, I helped start 'Student Athletes of Color.'
I also joined MLT, and upon arriving at Maryland, I became involved with the Black Business Student Association and the Women's Empowerment Initiative. In my senior year, I joined ColorStack. Beyond college organizations, I attended mentorship groups, panels, conferences, and any event that appeared to be a good networking opportunity. These experiences equipped me with the skills and connections necessary for success.
Breaking into the Tech Industry
Elijah: How did you narrow down your post-college path?
Jaiden: I had some friends in tech, and during the COVID period, influencers on TikTok and Instagram were highlighting the benefits of tech jobs—great pay, good work-life balance, and overall a promising lifestyle. This really piqued my interest and made me consider tech as a viable career option. I thought to myself, not only is tech financially rewarding, but also it's an industry that genuinely interests me. Especially considering how the world revolves around technology and will continue to do so more in the future. So, it was a strategic decision for me to focus my career around something that's so crucial to the world.
On the other hand, I also have a strong inclination towards business. I love networking, problem-solving, and the idea of having influence to shape the direction in which the world is moving. Additionally, the ability to enhance people's lives by creating useful products and solutions is very appealing to me. Trying to find a balance between my interest in tech and my passion for business led me to discover information systems. It seemed like the perfect fit—I could merge my business acumen with tech skills. That's why I chose information systems as my major. It offers the best of both worlds, making it a no-brainer for me.
Elijah: What was your first internship?
Jaiden: I interned at J.P. Morgan through the Advancing Black Pathways Fellowship after my sophomore year, focusing on commercial real estate. It was a fantastic experience. Before deciding to pursue technology, I was very interested in real estate as a career path and a means to generate wealth. The fellowship had a real estate track, which seemed perfect to me. During the program, I made some of my closest friends. They flew me out to LA, provided a stipend, and offered invaluable learning experiences. I got to meet many people, including the head of the commercial real estate business line. For a 20-year-old girl, unfamiliar with the industry, sitting next to such influential people was remarkable. However, during that internship, I realized that finance wasn’t the route I wanted to take. I was drawn more towards tech. I learned about the Innovation Development Program (IDP), a new initiative they were starting. Before my fellowship ended, I expressed my interest in switching to tech. They told me about IDP and, because I was getting a return offer for real estate, I was already vetted. So, I easily transitioned to IDP, which I pursued for my internship after my junior year.
Elijah: And that was in Chicago? How was it?
Jaiden: Yes, that was in Chicago during the summer of '22. The program was centered around product management, a career path I wanted to follow. I appreciated the rotational aspect and loved that it was at J.P. Morgan. Being familiar with the company, having started building connections, made it an ideal environment to grow professionally.
Life & Role as a Product Manager
Elijah: What is a product manager?
Jaiden: A product manager oversees the end-to-end development of new products, typically digital ones. Our involvement starts when a business partner identifies a problem. We dive deep into researching this problem, identify who the end users are, and understand their needs. A crucial part of our job is to confirm if the identified problem is the real issue. Often, through detailed discovery, we realize that the actual problem is different from what was initially thought. We then build solutions, launch the product, and keep refining it based on user feedback.
Elijah: Explain it to me like I'm five.
Jaiden: I help build apps. Essentially, I take your idea and turn it into a functional, real product.
Elijah: What's the process like to test if a problem is viable?
Jaiden: We conduct thorough research and engage in user interviews to understand our end users' pain points and gather their input on potential solutions. It's about deeply understanding who you're solving for and advocating for them throughout the development process. That's why a product manager is often called the voice of the customer.
Elijah: What does your typical day look like?
Jaiden: My day usually involves a lot of meetings. Currently, I spend considerable time in the discovery phase, conducting one-on-one or group interviews with stakeholders to understand their needs and pain points. I create process maps to visualize current workflows and identify areas for improvement. This research helps pinpoint opportunities for developing effective solutions.
Elijah: What do you enjoy the most about your job?
Jaiden: Okay, so a couple of things. First, I really like the problem-solving aspect of it because, as a product manager, your job is to help build solutions. I get to spend a lot of time hearing different people's problems, understanding their pain points and challenges, and thinking of creative ways to solve them. I really enjoy doing that. I also like ideating, which is related to problem-solving. It involves thinking creatively about how to address people's issues. It's satisfying to come up with solutions that make a real difference. Plus, I enjoy user research. I love sitting down with people, talking to them, interviewing them, and getting to know who they are and what they do. It's fascinating to learn about different roles and responsibilities. Overall, I really enjoy the people aspect of it.
Elijah: What skill of yours has grown the most since you've become full-time?
Jaiden: Probably being able to communicate with different types of people. As a product manager, you're working with a lot of different groups: design teams, engineering teams, legal teams, business teams. You're the middleman between all those different stakeholders. To effectively communicate and pitch your ideas to each group, you have to be able to speak their language. As a result, I'm constantly learning a little bit about everything. This has made me better at translating key takeaways into language that each group can understand. It’s an essential skill because you need everyone on the same page to move forward effectively. It's also helped me improve my pitching skills, ensuring my ideas are clearly understood and supported by all stakeholders.
Elijah: What do you not like?
Jaiden: Sometimes, you just have so many different people to answer to. That can be tough because you're responsible for responding to all these different stakeholder groups, and they often have competing priorities. Different groups have different wants, needs, and deadlines, so balancing them can be challenging. Another frustrating part is working with less technical stakeholders. They might not always understand the process needed to get the best outcome. Often, they'll have a huge ask without grasping what's needed to produce that output, or they won’t realize that what they're asking for won’t actually solve their problem.
This can be difficult because they're so dead set on what they want that they’re unwilling to listen to expert advice from product people like us. Sometimes, we end up doing what they want, only to later have to clean up the mess when it doesn’t work out. It’s frustrating because it feels like they’re not giving us the opportunity to do our job properly, even though we know the best way to solve the issue.
Current & Long-Term Goals
Elijah: Now that you've been in the corporate world for 10 months, what are your short-term goals? Are you focusing on improving a particular skill or progressing within the firm? And what about your long-term goals? Where do you see yourself in the future?
Jaiden: In the short term, I'm concentrating on learning as much as I can from as many people as possible. I want to better understand my role, what I'm doing, and how to excel at it. Additionally, I'm keen on learning about the roles of my colleagues, especially in design engineering, to broaden my perspective and skill set. Strengthening my technical skills is a significant focus for me. My approach is to be a sponge, absorbing all the knowledge and opportunities that come my way and meeting as many people as I can. As for the long term, I don't have a super-clear plan just yet. I'm definitely interested in entrepreneurship and find the idea of working at a startup appealing. At the same time, working in big tech also sounds really exciting. Overall, I'm pretty open to different possibilities at this stage. My main focus right now is on what actions I can take today to be better prepared for tomorrow.
Advice for Aspiring Professionals
Elijah: What are some tips that you would have for people trying to break into the industry, whether they're in college or high school? What are some tips you would give to people trying to break into the industry, whether they are in college or high school?
Jaiden: One, network. Networking is everything. Through networking, I've been exposed to countless opportunities, lessons, and open doors. Get on LinkedIn and search for product managers at companies that interest you. Start reaching out to them. The worst that can happen is they don't respond, but that's okay. Keep going. Talk to people, get to know them, their experiences, and their roles. Two, identify key leaders in the industry and pay attention to what they are discussing. Follow their businesses and insights. If your school offers a product management course, take it. If not, search online for courses or certifications in product management. Watch videos, take courses, and learn as much as you can. Identify which parts of the role appeal to you the most. Attend conferences and events to gain experience. Experience can come in many forms; it doesn't have to be a product management-focused internship. For example, if a friend has a business idea or event, help them plan it from start to finish. Product management is about seeing ideas through from conception to execution. Having projects where you were involved from start to finish will be beneficial on your resume for product management interviews. These are key beginner tips that can take you a long way.
Elijah: What's a piece of advice from a mentor or sponsor that you're really taking to heart right now?
Jaiden: Absolutely. One piece of advice that really stands out is something my granddad always tells me: just keep going. There are days when I question the point of everything, feeling tired and overwhelmed. During those times, I call him, and he reminds me to keep moving forward. He knows it's hard and acknowledges the difficulties, frustrations, and moments of confusion. Yet, he always emphasizes the importance of taking a step forward each day, no matter how unclear the path may seem. So, I strive to just keep going, always moving towards my goals.
Final Thoughts
Elijah: Thank you so much for taking the time to sit down with me and share your experiences. Your journey to where you are today is truly inspiring. I'm excited to stay connected and I look forward to following your future endeavors.
Jaiden,
Welcome to the Industry.
Welcome to NUFRIENDS.
