The first six months at a new company can be a blur of new names, new systems, and new expectations. At Candid, that experience is intensified by the depth of the work itself. It’s an environment where learning is constant, but so is contribution.
We spoke with four team members who joined in early 2026, Adam Young (Account Executive), Michele Schmitt (Director of Product), Colin Tran (Sales Development Representative), and Rachele Allen (Sr. Manager, Customer Support) to understand what those first months have really felt like. While their roles span very different parts of the business, their experiences share common threads: strong cross-functional partnership, a deep culture of knowledge-sharing, and a focus on learning through doing.
Finding momentum in the field
For Adam Young, an Account Executive, the first six months at Candid were full of momentum, autonomy, and strong partner support in the field. A key driver of his ramp has been the ability to leverage our partnership with Patterson Dental to build credibility and connect with providers more effectively.
“Embracing the Patterson relationship early on really helped me get traction quickly,” he said. Working alongside an established network of local Territory Representatives has made it easier to open doors, strengthen relationships, and stay focused on meaningful conversations in the field.
Equally important has been the structure of the role itself. Adam has appreciated being able to spend most of his time where it matters most: out in offices with providers, rather than being pulled into excessive internal meetings. That focus has helped him build rhythm quickly and stay close to customer needs.
Coming from competitors, he initially approached claims around simplicity and outcomes with curiosity. Over time, he’s seen those expectations consistently met in practice, from fewer attachments to streamlined workflows and predictable results.
When reflecting on his perception of Candid today, Adam is clear: “Everything I was told about Candid has been true.” That consistency has stood out as he’s seen providers respond positively to the product experience firsthand.
Today, what stands out most is the enthusiasm of customers and the reliability of what’s being delivered in the field, reinforcing his confidence in both the product and the team behind it.
Learning a product that blends science and artistry
For Michele Schmitt, who joined as Director of Product in January, the early months were defined by exploration and immersion. “Whirlwind, daunting, welcoming,” she said—though she emphasized that “welcoming” doesn’t fully capture the supportive experience. What stood out most was the depth of expertise across the organization and the balance between technical precision and clinical artistry.
Something she learned early on was just how nuanced treatment planning really is. The balance between art and science required to move teeth effectively surprised her. “There are so many ways to solve the same problem, and a lot of judgment that goes into choosing the right path,” she explained.
At Candid, that blend is intentional: technology provides the structure, while world-class orthodontists bring the clinical expertise that guides the outcomes. Michele noted that this combination is what makes the work both complex and compelling.
Coming from a strong product background, she found that her foundational skills allowed her to create impact early, even while still learning the clinical side of the business. She was supported with strong onboarding and deep subject matter expertise across the team, but was also trusted to contribute her perspective from day one.
“I didn’t need to know every dental term to add value,” she reflected. “I could lean on my experience in systems thinking and product structure, while continuing to build my understanding of orthodontics over time.”
That balance of learning deeply while still being expected to apply her expertise has shaped her first six months and continues to define how she approaches her role.
Building confidence through collaboration
For Colin Tran, an SDR who joined in February, his early experience was defined by pace and repetition. “Fast-paced, collaborative, rewarding,” he said, noting that progress became visible quickly as he gained confidence in conversations with providers.
But ramping wasn’t without friction. Early on, he tried to absorb everything at once, including complex dental terminology. That approach proved unsustainable. “I realized I needed to slow down and understand how it all fits together, not just memorize it,” he said.
Instead, learning came through shadowing, repetition, and constant feedback loops with teammates. Whether it was group chats filled with rapid responses or daily conversations with more experienced colleagues, support was immediate and consistent. Over time, he began to see success in tangible outcomes: demos that converted, conversations that felt more natural, and growing confidence in his ability to guide providers.
Turning complexity into clarity
For Rachele Allen, Senior Manager of Customer Support, the first six months were about getting close to the work itself, specifically understanding how different teams and workflows connect to the provider experience.
“Fast-paced, collaborative, clarifying,” she said, noting that what stood out most was how quickly she was able to engage in meaningful, cross-functional work. Rather than operating in isolation, her role naturally connected across Product, Operations, and Customer-facing teams.
One of her key learnings was the importance of stepping back to see the full system before trying to optimize any one part of it. Early on, she focused on resolving issues independently, but found that collaboration created better outcomes.
Her shift came when she moved from reacting to problems to proactively identifying friction points and helping streamline workflows across teams. “Success became less about individual tasks and more about improving the overall experience,” she said.
Redefining success over time
For all four of these employees reflecting on their first months at Candid, success has been something that evolved over time and with experience.
For Adam, ensuring early customer experiences are seamless and confident set the foundation for long-term success. For Michele, strengthening consistency and connection across teams helped her meet her goals. For Colin, improving his confidence and conversion through practice and mentorship created a path to success. For Rachele, enabling smoother workflows and grounding herself in cross-functional alignment made her work more impactful.
Of course, none of these measures of success are static. They continue to evolve as each person grows in their role and the business continues to grow.
What remains consistent, though, is the culture in which they operate: one where learning is continuous, collaboration is expected, and people are empowered to make meaningful contributions early and often.
Want to be a part of it? Check out our openings here.
