Life at Fortinet: Product Marketing Innovation

Welcome to the first in a new blog series called “Life at Fortinet.” In this series, we are interviewing Fortinet team members from around the world. The goal is to discover how each individual’s formal and informal education, professional and personal experience, enthusiasm for cybersecurity, and dedication to the company’s mission help make Fortinet one of the world’s leading cybersecurity companies.

In each profile, we’ll learn why the employee believes Fortinet is a great place to work, discuss their role within the organization, and get their unique insights into our culture built on teamwork, inclusion, and innovation. Meet Alexandra “Alex” Mehat.

Alex has been a product marketing manager at Fortinet in the San Francisco Bay Area for almost two years. Her career spans 25 years working in product marketing for technology companies, from very small organizations to large global companies. Alex was born in France, not far from Paris, where she once lived within sight of the Eiffel Tower. She began learning English in kindergarten. A few years later, her studies included Spanish and Italian as well.

After earning a baccalaureate in economics, Alex also took university-level courses in business administration, telecom engineering, and marketing (as applied to IT and telecom). Out of school, she worked in presales for the African market and traveled to exotic locales like Togo and Gabon before landing in Paris, then San Diego, back to Paris, and eventually the Bay Area, where she’s resided now for the last decade.

Intrigued by her professional and personal history, we sat down with Alex recently and did a little Q&A.

What attracted you to a career in cybersecurity? 

In my previous job at a networking company, cybersecurity for the business division was not at the center of our roadmap—or even present! But a lot of customers and partners were asking for it. That is why I decided to move to a company that understood the future of networking is in security.

What are some common misconceptions about working in cybersecurity? 

I think the biggest misconception is that you need to be very technical to market the products. Of course, you need to understand what the product does, but at Fortinet, we have great technical teams to help with the deep technical issues. 

What do you find most rewarding about your job? 

The most rewarding experience for me is when the messaging I created resonates with customers. When you see salespeople using your presentations, you know you are on the right track. It means you understand the customer’s needs and can clearly define the benefits.

What are the skills you use most often in your role? 

People skills like teamwork, empathy, and collaboration. In product marketing, you are usually interacting with many different teams and people around the world. You need to put yourself in their shoes to understand what their needs are and how they are using assets. Same for when you speak to analysts: You have to understand what their goal is to be able to interact with them in the best way possible and give them the information they need.

What soft skills or qualities do you believe are crucial for success in cybersecurity roles? 

In any role, whether in cybersecurity or not, soft skills are key. The most important ones for me are adaptability, empathy, emotional intelligence, and communication. Also, creativity can make you stand out in this very technical space.

What is a recent Fortinet project or initiative that you’re particularly proud of? 

I call it “Project Unified SASE.” Fortinet Unified SASE is so great for organizations globally.

How do Fortinet’s core values of innovation, teamwork, and openness contribute to your success?  

I could not survive at Fortinet without teamwork. Product marketing is at the border of many areas, from marketing to product management, to data analytics, sales, and many more. Working as a team is what makes us successful. And as product marketers, we try and innovate in our messaging and delivery every day. We need to be open and truthful about what our product does to build a long-term relationship with partners and customers.

Why is Fortinet a great place to work?

Fortinet people are so helpful. They are there when you need anything. Collaboration is great with all the teams. It’s what helps me get through the crazy times of fast launches and delivery.

What advice would you give to a woman looking to start or grow their career in cybersecurity? 

Go for it! Even if you don’t have the technical skills, you can learn. Just be confident, trust yourself, find allies, and you will nail it.

What advice would you give to your younger self about working in cybersecurity? 

Get into cybersecurity earlier because that is where the market is going, and it will continue to grow. And there’s never a dull day!

Pursuing a career in cybersecurity is a smart move given the diversity of roles and occupational pathways open to individuals interested in making a positive impact on the world while making a living. Learn more about careers at Fortinet.