From Curiosity to Career: My Journey to Appian
I joined Appian after I graduated from the University of Maryland six years ago. While I was studying Mechanical Engineering, my tech journey really all started with a curious interest in coding. During a senior-year coding project, I started teaching myself Android programming and made up little programs and games to share with my friends. This ignited my passion for software development, leading me to explore a career in technology.
At the same time, I met an Appian recruiter on campus who helped me see how my talents could translate to a career as a technical consultant. They showed me how my problem-solving skills and newfound passion for coding could translate into a career in Customer Success. Appian provided the opportunity to work on real-world technical challenges, collaborate with talented colleagues, and continuously learn—all while making a tangible impact on Appian’s customers.
My day-to-day: Blending Technical Expertise with Customer Collaboration
As a Principal Consultant, my days are dynamic, balancing technical work with customer interactions and team collaboration. I primarily interact with customers and my team of developers, however I often partner with co-workers across different teams at Appian as well.
Based on the information we gather on customer calls, I lead technical planning for my team or architecture sessions. In these sessions, we gather information on the customer's needs and determine what’s possible with the Appian platform.
Appian has allowed me to grow my career within Customer Success over the past six years, progressively taking on more responsibilities and expanding both my technical expertise and client-facing role within the organization. During that time, I’ve gained hands-on experience with a variety of technical tools and platforms – exposure I likely wouldn’t have received in other fields. This experience has strengthened my Java programming skills and deepened my understanding of software development, using SQL to analyze system performances at scale, working with Maven to streamline code deployment processes, and building dynamic, customer-focused tools.
Chris (second from left) with his public sector colleagues: Thanit Baker, Chris Grunberg, Morgan Hale, Jack Gable, and Nathan Barrington
Driving Impact in the Public Sector
Working with federal agencies means long-term engagement and meaningful impact. My current project has given me an opportunity to see our solutions evolve and directly contribute to the government’s modernization efforts.
One of our major initiatives, the Appian Government Acquisition Suite, integrates AI to automate procurement processes and streamlining government acquisitions. My role was to ensure seamless implementation, making sure our code integrated smoothly with existing federal systems. It’s a lot of problem solving and figuring out how the code works together with new systems. For that, we look at things holistically as a system and ask the right questions like:
- What’s not working in the current system?
- Is our solution scalable and future-proof?
- How does this fit into the agency’s broader digital transformation goals?
We collaborate closely with Appian’s Solutions team on a fully built-out solution called Government Clause Automation, merging technical innovation with practical, on-the-ground knowledge from Customer Success. This partnership ensures we deliver solutions that truly meet federal agencies' needs.
Why Appian? A Culture of Support and Growth
Beyond the technical challenges and career growth, what truly sets Appian apart is the culture. Here, you’re not just an asset—you’re a valued team member. When a family member fell ill, I had to step away from work frequently. My director’s response was simple: “Take care of your family. We’ve got your back!” That level of understanding and support is rare and speaks volumes about the company’s values.
At Appian, you’ll find a team of talented, respectful, and driven individuals who are passionate about solving complex problems. If you’re looking for a career where you can grow technically, work on impactful projects, and be part of a supportive culture, explore our job opportunities.
Join us in shaping the future of technology in the public sector.