How I Got Here: Jory Nelaimischkies (MBA ’18)

The Kellstadt alumna talks about how aligning your competencies with your interests can help jumpstart your career in the right direction

In this ongoing series, Kellstadt alumni share how they got to where they are today in their careers. Our next spotlight is MBA graduate Jory Nelaimischkies, who graduated in 2018. Jory’s degree focused on applied economics and business strategy and decision-making, and led her to her current role at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago as a risk management specialist.

As a risk management specialist… 

I work in the Supervision and Regulation department, which supports the Fed’s mission as a major regulator of financial institutions. My work on a Business Technology Risk (BTR) team directly supports examiners in our district in better understanding risks these financial institutions take on and whether their actual/proposed controls help support the safety and soundness of their operations. I’m currently working on a project focused on enhancing a supervisory framework for business technology risk considerations.

Biggest challenge of my job…

The technical learning curve! BTR and the broader cybersecurity risk environment are constantly changing, so finding a common ground (what’s the core risk? Why should others care?) to think and talk about issues is always a challenge. We’re constantly thinking about how to explain very technically advanced concepts to other staff that might not have those advanced certifications or direct exposure.

What I like best about my job…

Every day is different and another opportunity to challenge my assumptions, ask for clarification and admit I don’t know the answer to something. That’s something I’ve learned to never take for granted in both my career and personal development. I never feel like I’m expected to know everything, and it’s empowering. I like that I can just focus on learning more when I need/want to, and I don’t have that cultural pressure of being expected to be correct 100% of the time. It’s a generally forgiving work environment that’s designed for everyone to just keep learning a little bit more every day.

How I got here…

I actually had never even considered working for the Fed before starting my courses at Kellstadt. I went back to school to help prepare me for more responsibilities as I started moving up the management ladder at my last banking job. I was more rigid in my thinking and still saw advancement as being this fixed, climb-the-ladder process. A few of my professors were actually the catalysts to me looking into what I wanted more broadly. I never thought I’d end up here, but I’m so happy (in many ways!) that I took their advice and went for it.

Things I did to help me get here…

The biggest thing I did that I found helpful was to accept that all job postings wouldn’t be a “perfect” fit. Instead, I focused on pursuing roles that I found interesting and that I met maybe 70% of the core requirements for. Think less about what you’re currently qualified for and more about what you’re positioned to be able to do in the short-term future.

For me personally, the combination of reading and doing the task myself is how I learn best, so I tried to align my competencies as much as I could to roles that I’d have a higher level of passion for. It’s easier to keep trying (and failing) if you feel personally motivated beyond a paycheck.

The Kellstadt professor who has helped me the most in my career…

This is genuinely tough to narrow down to one because I had so much help along the way. I’m grateful for Professor Rafael Tenorio for being incredible at aligning ideas to reality in my career; Professor Thomas Mondschean for motivating me to think about the global impact of decision-making (and for motivating me to apply to the Fed!); and finally, Professor Bob Kallen, who helped me recognize this sweet spot in my life that pulled all my passions together. Their influences really shaped my future after DePaul.

Advice for Kellstadt students interested in my career… 

To the best of your ability, practice being okay with not knowing what comes next. Careers aren’t always linear but if you’re continuing to learn, have the work-life balance that works best for you, and have some opportunities to try something new, it might be worth it even if you don’t get promoted right away. Say “I don’t know how to do that, but I’d be willing to learn if someone could work with me!”

Also, make a point of checking in with yourself every year or so about what the biggest priorities are to you; it’ll make it much easier to ask for projects or roles that align with your goals the best.

Read the other spotlights in this series:

Cristina Jennings (MSF ’16), director in structured credit at Fitch Ratings, discusses her career in finance and how owning your professional development can help you blaze your path.

Mike Mercado (MBA ’16), senior manager of product strategy for Discover Bank, shares insights from his career journey in business strategy and the importance of following your curiosity.

Tommy Lubinski (BUS ’09, MST ’11, MBA ’15), product manager for adidas Basketball, talks about how he landed his dream job working in the sports apparel and footwear industry.

Angela Yang (MBA ’19), strategic analytics supervisor for FCB Chicago, describes how she transitioned from a career in advertising to healthcare strategy.