Without empathy, working hard and being smart is not enough

Sponsored Content by our Lead Partner, Moody's Corporation

Meet @Ariane Ortiz-Bollin , Vice President – Senior Credit Officer, and what she thinks makes Moody’s a place where people want to come and stay.

What initially attracted you to Moody's and made you choose it as your workplace?

Moody’s impact in financial markets was one of the first things that attracted me to the company. We have a unique platform to showcase our insights.

Knowing Moody’s opinion matters to capital markets, to the issuers we rate and to those making investment decisions brings a huge sense of responsibility to me and is also very stimulating because I know I have impact in my job. And, I get to exercise many different skills: analytical, public speaking, project management, strategic thinking. It’s fun and always interesting.

I knew about the culture from the very beginning. I love that I get to work with smart people in a very collaborative environment, and that people are nice and open.

How has Moody's supported your personal and professional growth?

I have been at Moody’s for 12 years, starting as an Associate Analyst, straight out of grad school. Moody’s has been a home for me throughout many stages of my professional and personal life: as my first employer in the US (I was born and raised in Mexico), supporting me through a high-risk pregnancy, through challenging political times as a Mexican woman in the US, and through a pandemic.

It’s been my home by supporting me to acquire my work permits, by allowing me to take the time off I needed to be home with my twins, by allowing remote work when that was not yet a common practice, and by hosting “courageous conversations”, a space where people discuss difficult topics and feel a safe space to share stories and learn from others valuable coping mechanisms.

At Moody’s, you will work hard to advance in your career, but if you are not empathetic, working hard and being smart is not enough.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career at Moody’s?

Moody’s is an integrated risk assessment firm and people may think it’s a company only for finance or economic majors. In reality, people with many different backgrounds and skillsets are wanted at Moody’s – great communicators, project managers, tech engineers, sales people, etc.

When looking for a company to be your first employer out of undergrad and grad school, find a company that believes in the power of a diverse workforce, with policies that empower minorities. A company that has flexible work arrangements like hybrid work and which values different perspectives and different leadership styles. That is Moody’s.

Make sure you are you in a job that helps you build your skillset and exposes you to people from who you can learn from, either to become a subject matter expert or a great project or manager. People starting their careers should be learning a lot their first years on the job.

Moody’s is a global integrated risk assessment firm that empowers organizations to make better decisions. Its data, analytical solutions and insights help decision-makers identify opportunities and manage the risks of doing business with others. We believe that greater transparency, more informed decisions, and fair access to information open the door to shared progress. With approximately 14,000 employees in more than 40 countries, Moody’s combines international presence with local expertise and over a century of experience in financial markets.