Jaclyn McCarthy

 This week I would like to highlight Jaclyn McCarthy on her success.  Jaclyn works for a large bank with nearly 70,000 employees.  It is the 5^th largest commercial bank in the USA.  They are committed to serving millions in retail, business, wealth management, payment, commercial, corporate, and investment customers across the US.  She is one of their Finance Operations Managers.  Her team helps support the settlements for other operational internal business lines as part of the Wealth Management and Investment Services group. 

Jaclyn always saw herself in the business world, which is why she went to the University of Wisconsin and graduated with a degree in Business Administration, Finance, and International Business.  After graduating she pursued a career in finance, as she saw there was more opportunity for her to utilize her skills. 

Earlier in her career, she reached a point where she felt she couldn’t advance.  She then decided it was a perfect time to switch gears and try something new.  She went from finance to teaching abroad in China.  She became certified to teach English to adults.  While there, she gained experience and confidence at being a trainer and a leader.  Jaclyn thought Shanghai was an amazing city filled with beauty and culture.  When she first arrived, it was an initial culture shock and each day was a new adventure.  Even though Jaclyn saw and learned a lot about the Chinese culture, there were still sights she wished she could’ve seen. 

When Jaclyn came back to the states due to the rise of COVID-19, she landed a job as a Custody Operations Analyst. A year and a half later, she accepted the role as the manager of her department. Even though she was excited and up for the challenge, Jaclyn did suffer a bit of imposter syndrome, expecting some failure.  She took the challenge anyway and quickly learned that every opportunity is a learning experience.  Her father, who is one of her mentors, helped her overcome this imposter syndrome. Her father is one of the main mentors in her life.  During his career, he was also a manager for a large company.  He consistently gives her advice and guidance when she requests it.  They can talk through any issues or obstacles she is facing in her career.

When asked what has made her successful in her current role, she advised it was putting consideration into every task she does and saying yes to opportunities out of her comfort zone. She has joined different committees and has offered to be a mentor for others. She believes you do not need a degree in finance to hold the position she has. What you do need is the desire to learn. You can learn the skills by observing others and remaining curious.

One take-away Jaclyn has had during her career is that there are times when you must take a step back from work and find a work life balance. Oftentimes we get too caught up in our work, but work is only part of our lives.  Spending time with family and friends is important part of life that helps us unwind from stress and the everyday activities. Always have something booked on your schedule after work, whether that’s seeing a friend or going to the gym.