“What do you want to be when you grow up?” “Where do you see yourself in five years?” “How do you envision your career trajectory?” These types of questions can be intimidating at times, especially if you are just starting out in your career
Take Mys’Mali for example, she always knew she wanted to be in technology, but with all the vast opportunities within the industry, she wasn’t exactly sure what she wanted to focus on. In her college years, Mys’Mali was a sociology major, who then pivoted to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. Now she is currently a data modeler at Fidelity, building and creating dynamic databases that best align with our business goals. So how did she wind up here, where she is currently thriving in her technology role at Fidelity? It’s a mix of her hard work, enthusiastic attitude, extreme willingness to learn and get involved, and her superpower of networking and forming strong relationships with other Fidelity associates.
Mys’Mali started working on the phones as a Fidelity financial associate. She quickly formed tight-knit bonds with her co-workers, which included having fun with her peers inside and outside of Fidelity walls. Forming these solid relationships led Mys’Mali to a tech opportunity she heard about from a fellow Aspire member. Aspire is Fidelity’s Employee Resource Group (ERG) focused on the professional and personal experiences of Latinx and Black Fidelity associates. One day, this colleague approached her and asked if she would be interested in applying for a data modeler role within the technology group at Fidelity.
Since she was always interested in the tech space from the start of her career, as well as taking a “Database Management” course at that time, Mys’Mali jumped at the opportunity. Some of her favorite things about the role? Half of her job is interpersonal relationships, which is great as she thoroughly enjoys talking to people and meeting new peers.
In addition, with data modeling, she doesn’t stay in one place very often, and is able to learn about every facet of Fidelity’s business. Mys’Mali has been a data modeler at Fidelity for almost 3 years, but her involvement at Fidelity certainly doesn’t stop there. She is a member of Women in Tech Special Interest Group, Fidelity Pride, AIM (Asian Inclusivity and Multiculturalism), Women’s Leadership Group, and several volunteer groups, it’s hard to believe Mys’Mali also has the time to also be in school for her Information Technology graduate degree with the help of Fidelity’s Educational Assistance Program.
She is excited to graduate this fall and advance her career even further within tech. Making valuable connections, getting involved and working hard will open plenty of doors of opportunity within Fidelity. In her very rare “down time” moments Mys’Mali enjoys binge watching her favorite Korean drama shows and is currently in the process of starting a “Pay It Forward” non-profit initiative that helps guide other phone associates in their career, similar to how her fellow Aspire member did for her a few years ago.
Mys’Mali’s “Pay It Forward” program will entail a central repository of Fidelity career opportunities, tailored career roadmaps and more! She envisions it to be tech centric (for now) and has the goal of making career mobility easier and more transparent for other associates.
Topics
Related articles
