My name is Mayralee (pronounced mY-ruh-lee) and I was born and raised on Long Island in New York. I recently graduated from Molloy University with a Bachelor of Science in Digital Humanities and New Media. I’m the oldest of four girls and have had over 20 pets in my life (we used to have a fish tank, the cycle of goldfish counts, right?).
Having grown up in a big family, my family are the most important people in my life. In addition to growing up with many sisters, I grew up with many cousins, aunts and uncles, and my parents’ friends. This made me value human connection deeply, which initially made me skeptical of joining a company that was entirely remote, but Finotta exceeded all expectations. The FinottaFam has been extremely helpful and supportive of me and my studies, and I’m so grateful to be part of the team.
I love music and exploring new artists and genres. One of my favorite activities in the summer is to wake up extra early and drive to the beach and watch the sunrise while listening to classical music.
I am a big reader, having read over 100 books in 2022 and having already read more than 35 books in 2023. I read books of all genres, but my favorites are romance and fantasy. I read books in many different modes as well – on my phone, in audio format, and physical books. I even created an Instagram account for my library (@/mayraleeslibrary) where I’ve had the opportunity to connect with different authors and other readers.
How did you get started in your career?
During quarantine, I realized that the career path I was going down was no longer fulfilling me. I took a particular interest in the way social media and the internet were affecting the way businesses ran during the pandemic and this combination made me start looking in new directions for a new passion. That was when I discovered the New Media program at Molloy and began that coursework. When I had the opportunity to be creative and learn new ways to connect with others through social media and through the internet, I knew that I had found work that was going to be fulfilling. Through Molloy, I was introduced to Destinee and Finotta, and it’s all been up from there.
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
My parents and grandparents are a huge inspiration to me. They all came here from El Salvador looking for better opportunities to live and learn. My parents work hard to make it possible for me and my sisters to live comfortably and have always encouraged us to pursue the things that make us happy. I am the first person in my family to receive a university degree. I cannot be more grateful to them for supporting me in everything I do.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job definitely has to be the people I get to work with. Despite being a remote company, we are constantly given opportunities to connect and get to know one another. We communicate easily and try our best to have fun together while also getting work done. We support each other in and out of work, and it’s awesome to know that the team is always there for you.
What are you passionate about?
I have a passion for connecting with and helping people. I love helping under-served communities and am a big advocate for equity in all aspects of life. For that reason, I was so inspired by Finotta’s mission and vision and am passionate about the work that I do every day with this company.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
As someone who is just starting in fintech, I think having to learn the industry has been the most challenging part for me. Learning how the industry works and adapting my marketing knowledge to this environment has been very different from the kind of content I was producing before Finotta.
How do you think we can improve positive work cultures in the fintech industry?
This is my first time working in the fintech industry. However, I believe that strong values, like the ones Finotta exemplifies, are generally important to work cultures. Finotta does a great job of upholding their mission and values, which is essential for a positive work culture.
What advice would you give someone who is starting their career in your field?
Do what you love. Don’t suffer in a position that is not fulfilling.
Prioritize yourself before your career (crazy, I know), but your health and joy are much more important than any job so be sure you make time to take care of yourself.
What resources would you recommend?
Audible is my best friend. I am able to get through so many books, even while working by listening to books on Audible, and they have such a broad selection of books to choose from that already come with the subscription.
I would also recommend using Notion an organization tool. I use Notion as a planner and journal, and it is extremely convenient and very easy to use.
What are some rules you live by?
These might sound a little silly but two rules that I follow are “It is what it is” and “YOLO.” For me, “it is what it is” just means that there are things that are completely out of my control. I don’t like to worry about or dwell on things that are out of my control, and I prefer to believe that everything happens at its right time and for a good reason. YOLO is pretty self-explanatory. I enjoy doing things that I enjoy because I’m only going to have one life, and I would prefer to make the most of it every day than have any regrets.