WP Engine’s mission to energy confidence on-line depends on the dedication and experience of greater than 1,000 international staff.
The mixed effort of our entire crew—from the assist specialists fixing technical challenges to the engineers driving efficiency and innovation throughout our totally managed internet hosting platform to the passionate professionals supporting our company companions and everybody in between—ensures continued development and success for WP Engine and our prospects alike.
Our Meet the Specialists collection highlights among the individuals who deliver this mission to life, showcasing their roles, areas of experience, and invaluable contributions to WP Engine and our prospects, in addition to their recommendation for different aspiring professionals of their fields.
On this function, we’ll introduce you to Clay Youngkin, a Senior Buyer Expertise Operations Specialist primarily based in Buda, Texas.

Say hi there to Clay!
Meet Clay Youngkin, WP Engine’s system administrator for Gainsight—a instrument utilized by a number of groups to assist monitor data associated to devoted plan accounts on WP Engine. He’s a significant member of the Buyer Expertise Operations crew.
Clay’s WP Engine journey started in 2015 when a colleague from his earlier job at a sub store inspired him to use for a Assist Tech position.
Pushed by a need to broaden his profession alternatives, Clay jumped on the probability to affix WP Engine—a choice that may form his skilled development over the subsequent decade.
“I actually resonate with our core worth Constructed for Development, as a result of that’s how I felt when becoming a member of the crew right here,” says Clay.
“I began as an L1 Assist Tech and have moved up right into a System Administrator position—that’s fairly the expansion when you ask me!”
When he’s not serving to to retain and enhance experiences for our wonderful prospects, Clay enjoys taking part in video video games, good meals, and spending time outdoor.
Clay’s profession journey
Beginning as an L1 Assist Tech, Clay constructed his experience in buyer options earlier than rising to his present position as Senior Buyer Expertise Operations Specialist.
Clay’s position includes managing Gainsight workflows that combine information from platforms like Slack and Zendesk, surfacing danger indicators that denote a buyer could also be sad or prone to churning. These plans assist WP Engine groups proactively handle buyer issues and supply the absolute best expertise to prospects who could also be struggling.
“For essentially the most half, I’m chargeable for all additions, updates, upgrades, and system migrations, which may make time administration troublesome,” says Clay.
“It’s actually vital for me to set correct expectations for the completion of requests.”
Along with Gainsight, Clay additionally faucets into his expertise in SQL and Zapier to meet system requests and keep seamless integrations. Like so many WP Engine staff, his expertise come not from a particular diploma or set of coaching periods, however from hands-on expertise.
“Enhancing my expertise comes from doing the work,” he says.
“There’s nothing like expertise to maintain your expertise honed.”
Phrases of knowledge: Handle your time
As the only Gainsight administrator at WP Engine, Clay faces the distinctive problem of discovering steadiness, even throughout a barrage of requests.
“Time administration is vital,” Clay says. “I attempt to set clear expectations for request timelines so I can prioritize successfully and maintain issues operating easily.”
As a result of he’s the one individual with the talents and experience to tackle lots of the duties his position requires, Clay emphasizes the significance of recognizing limits.
Early in his profession, he struggled with overcommitting and attempting to deal with each request instantly. Over time, he discovered that prioritization is vital to his success.
“Among the best items of recommendation I’ve ever acquired is ‘Put in your oxygen masks first,’” Clay explains.
“For those who don’t deal with your self, you may’t successfully assist your crew or your prospects. Taking breaks, establishing boundaries, and speaking whenever you want extra time are all essential expertise.”
For aspiring tech professionals who hope to specialise in a particular instrument or talent set, Clay recommends specializing in adaptability.
“Don’t fear about realizing every little thing straight away,” he advises.
“For instance, my specialty is Gainsight, however each firm makes use of Gainsight otherwise. Your greatest talent will probably be studying the way to adapt your information to fulfill your group’s particular wants.”
Powered by individuals
Clay’s dedication and experience assist guarantee WP Engine continues to supply excellent assist and proactive options for our devoted account holders. Daily, tons of of individuals around the globe are additionally utilizing their time and skills to raise WP Engine and our services and products.
Wish to discover out extra about what it’s prefer to work at WP Engine? Go to our careers website to discover present openings, and sustain with our weblog for extra inspiring tales from WP Engine’s consultants!